So much had changed

Wow, so much has changed since I posted last.

I left the hot dog job after 11 years and now I'm a manager at a photo job. Yep... I've taken a full-time photography job. No, I haven't given up on court reporting, but I have to earn a living while I wait between tests. So, not only have I left the comfort of the hot dog job, I'm actually the boss at the new job.

To tell the truth, I never wanted to be the boss anywhere. I like being a worker bee. However, one thing I've learned as I've looked for a full time job is that I'm over-qualified to just be the worker bee anymore. So, now I'm the manager and I get to learn how to be a boss and run a studio and manage labor and hours and all that stuff.

Beyond the new job, not much is new. Kitties and I still hanging in there. Hopefully now that I'm back to one job, I'll be in the blogosphere more often and keep everyone updated with my ever so exciting life.

The Cheerful Receiver

When my job has extra samples or close-date product, I try to take them to a food pantry so that they aren't just wasted. (This was after I had to throw away an entire fridge full of product that had sat in boxes, unopened and untouched, and gone out of date. It seemed so wasteful...)

Today I made a trip to the food pantry.

There are two local food pantries that I've taken product to. One is 2 minutes from the office and when I take things to them, it always seems the donation is an imposition, like I am interrupting their day by bringing the food donation by. The other one is about 10 minutes away and every time I have taken product to them, they are gracious and thankful. Guess which one I go to when I have an option.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't take them product for the thanks. It isn't really mine that I'm giving. My point is about being a cheerful receiver and how this whole semi-unemployed state I've found myself in has made me learn to be a cheerful receiver.

Generally, it's easy to be a cheerful giver. Giving stuff or giving of yourself feels good. Most people like that feeling, but having to admit you need help and then accepting that help is hard. It hurts to admit you need help, but it is necessary sometimes.

I guess I am finally growing up. Darn. How did that happen?

I've got nothing

No, seriously... I have total writer's block. I can't think of any thing witty or even remotely interesting to write about.

I could whine about the allergies I'm fighting. (I am not sick... I am not sick... I am not...) but who really wants to read about that. Although, I do think I could blame the copious amounts of cold/allergy meds I'm taking on the brain fog I'm currently suffering through.

Anyway, I'll be back to my witty self soon.

Money, money, money...

I know money doesn't buy happiness, but a lack of it surely is depressing.

I've been semi-unemployed for quite a while now. It was originally a choice -- quit my full-time job, cash out the 401(k), and live on the proceeds while I finish school. The money would last about 9 months -- a year if I was really careful. Ah, the best laid plans....

In reality, I didn't pass the test I needed to pass to become a court reporter and the tests are only given twice a year, the money ran out, and the economy sucks. Finding another full-time job has proved quite challenging. At the end of the summer, things looked promising. I went on several job interviews and several second interviews. Unfortunately, I was second choice on all of the positions, so I am still looking and there is really not much out there for an administrative assistant.

I am fortunate that I have the portrait photography to fall back on and I'm doing that part time (in a different, more healthy environment for a different company) and my old job part time. It pays the bills most of the time.

No, I'm not just whining, there is a moral to my pity-fest.

Through it all, I have learned that yes, I really do want to be a court reporter. It's not going as I planned, but the rewards will be so sweet. My perseverance will pay off. I've learned that I have lots of people who are rooting for me (as well as a few who enjoy watching me fail, but I've learned who those people are and have weeded them out of my life). I've realized that God does provide in some pretty amazing ways.

So, nearly a year off from blogging and my life is pretty much the same as it was before. Not what I expected, either. But, I am another year wiser, another year stronger. As an acquaintance of mine is fond of saying... every day above the grass is a blessing.

Veterans Day

Today is Veterans day. The holiday honoring all U.S military veterans. It is known and observed in other parts of the world as Armistice Day (the symbolic end of World War I) or Remembrance Day (the day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces specifically since WWI.)

Why November 11? November 11 is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)

This day, in my humble opinion, should be a day for remembering and thanking and honoring the men and women who fought for the United States and came home forever changed by what they've seen. It irritates me that here in the U.S. Veterans Day has become little more than another day for stores to have big sales. It saddens me that an estimated 1/4 of the homeless in America are vets who haven't received the help they've needed when they come home. To me it was wrong that the flag-draped coffins of American Soldiers who died fighting for freedom couldn't be shown on TV because it was considered too "political" and divisive.

One of my most enduring memories of my childhood is walking into Arlington National Cemetery during a trip to Washington, D.C. and seeing all those white headstones perfectly lined up. There was row after row on a green field. As a young teenager, I was profoundly moved and awed to realize that each and every one of those headstones was someone who had served in this nation's military. It was a very visual lesson on just how many men and women it took/takes for me to live free.

So, please take the time to watch the video and offer a prayer of thanks for those who defend our freedoms. This is by a Canadian songwriter named Terry Kelly


I am overwhelmingly appreciative for the fact that someone fought for my freedom... and humbled by the fact that so many died for it. I am grateful for my grandfathers, all three of them, who served in WWII -- two in the Navy and one in the Army Air Corps. I am indebted all those who fought in WWII -- the War to End All Wars -- and for those who have fought in all the wars before and after. I am deeply grateful for those who are this country's newest veterans. I do believe they are making me safer through their service.

I want to say thank you. Thank you for your service and your scrifices. I know the sacrifices are many and yet, you chose/choose to make them. Thank you.

Oh, ye of little faith

Hiatus is over.

I am back.

I am going to again submit my own brand of wit and wisdom to the cyber-world for all to see.

Let's see, what has changed since I last wrote? Unfortunately not much. I'm still single. I still suck at being a grown up. I am still trying to finish court reporting. (Darn tests only being given twice a year sucks.) Pretty much I'm still living in the status quo. I can't say that the status quo is bad exactly, but it would be nice if there were a little change.

So, for those who missed me... I'm back.

I'm not gone

I'll be back soon.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

I hope everyone has a happy, safe Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

Over the River and Through the...

There were no woods on my trip to the Panhandle today. There were, lots and lots of highway patrol out. I didn't meet any of them up close and personally on this trip. Thank goodness.

It is very, very cold here. Okay. I realize that "very, very" is relative. It's mid-20s here and the wind is still blowing hard outside. I'm safe and sound inside, though. It was strange driving without the kitties this trip. I've left them home with a pet sitter because my cousin's hubby is really allergic (like the throat swelling, eyes swelling allergic) to them, so I volunteered to leave them home. I was fortunate to find someone I trust to keep them -- and it isn't costing nearly as much as it would have to board them or to hire a professional pet sitter. They'll be fine.

About three-quarters of the way here, I called my Gran and she said that Mom, Sis A, Miss A and Bennin all have a tummy bug. I will see them later in the week. There was no way I was going over there (as I'd planned) today. There is nothing in the world I hate worse than throwing up, so as much as I want to see them all, my desire for self-preservation is stronger than my desire to see them. I'll just have to wave from afar for a day or two.

Nothing much else going on. The Christmas food-fest has begun. I'm going to try to be good, but make no promises... especially Christmas day when I'll have dueling grandmothers making Christmas meals.

Weekly Winners December 14 -December 20

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My Weekly Winners for December 14 - December 20

This week I got to help out at the apartment complex Christmas gathering and take photos of the kiddos in Santa's lap. (Santa was OMG Hot, by the way. I wish I'd gotten his picture after he'd "shaved" off the beard.) Here are a few that I thought were cute.

It's Christmas Commercial time again!

Every year at Christmas, commercials ramp up and old ones are recycled. And every year, there are always a few memorable ones that come out only at Christmas... anyone remember the Norelco one with Santa riding on the razor head throught the snow?


Or the classic one where Peter surprises everyone at Christmas? (Who doesn't remember this one?)


Or all of the Coca Cola Commercials...


Well, I have a new favorite one. I giggle every time I watch the meltdown of the little one... And dad's response of "we'll fix it."


Ahh.... memories of the Christmas season from a child who grew up on television.

Weekly Winners December 7 - 13

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My Weekly Winners for December 7 - December 13

I have taken so many pictures this week. Unfortunately, they've all been at the Photo Job and so I can't post them here -- that whole copyright and other people's kids thing... So, you'll have to do with a couple I took of the kitties and my tree.

You know it's time to turn up the heat when...

I am cheap. I don't like to pay the high electric bills that come with the heating bills in the winter. So, last night I was curled up on the couch with my laptop in sweat pants, a t-shirt under a sweatshirt, warm socks and wrapped in a blanket. Buddy was curled next to me. I got up to go to the kitchen to get something warm to drink and this is what I saw...



Poor guy. I checked the thermostat and saw that it was 65 degrees, so I upped the temp a bit.

Thursday Thirteen #24

THIRTEEN OF MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS I HAVE OUT THIS YEAR PICTURES!

In no particular order...

1. My Avon bisque porcelain nativity.

2. My new pre-lit tree.

3. My "Merry Christmas Y'all" snowman.

4. My six foot door hanger that says "Jingle all the way," with a snowman head in a tall hat.

5. My hand painted Mickey Mouse ornament.

6. My "real" icicles for my tree.

7. A little porcelain angel ornament on my tree.

8. A hand-blown glass snowman ornament.

9. A teddy bear santa icicle ornament.

10. My wire star tree topper.

11. This little snowflake tea light candle holder my sister got me last year.

12. My Santa Clause's cookie plate and mug.

13. All the gold and red balls on my tree.

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Yes, there will be life after court reportng school

I'm still frustrated with school and the photo job and the photo job manager and life in general, but school goes on. Thank you to those who said a prayer for me. I feel them and hope you continue to keep me on your prayer lists.

It's a struggle, but this is something I want -- I really want. I'm going to start looking into other options about what to do with the career so I can earn money! This not being *really* employed is nerve wracking and adding to my stress instead of taking it away. An unexpected result, for sure!

But, after much soul searching and whining and tears and venting (thank you, Moma) I am much calmer and have rededicated my efforts to completing school.

As normal with things worthwhile, they are never easy. Two steps forward and one step back -- not only is it a great dance, it's true to life.

Is there life after court reporting school?

I'm so totally frustrated with school right now. I'm to a point where I don't even want to practice because I don't see progress. I thought I'd be finished with school or at least qualified for the state exam by now. Yet I'm still struggling to pass the qualifying tests. I don't feel like I'm progressing and I don't know what to do *to* progress. I'm floundering.

I sit and watch the news and the economy is in the tank. So, if I don't get out of school by at the very latest the end of next quarter in March, I'm going to have to get a job again. But, what then? Is there a point where I just say to heck with it and do something else? But what would I do?

This is so not the life I wanted. I wanted to be married and have kids and the minivan. Okay, maybe not the minivan, but the rest I wanted. Not even past tense. Those are things I want still.

I guess I'm just at a crossroads. I can choose one fork and can continue to work toward the court reporting thing. But the other fork is to quit school and figure something else out. Ugh. Honestly, the thought of quitting makes me more nervous than I was going to Austin to take the written part. (That is VERY nervous, by the way.) I have no idea what I would do if I quit. I've been working toward this for so long because I do love it. I do want it. The question is, is it within my grasp. I mean, really within my grasp. Is this something that I can really do?

I hope so.

Thursday Thirteen #23

THIRTEEN OF MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS I HAVE OUT THIS YEAR

In no particular order...

1. My Avon bisque porcelain nativity. It is just like the one my mom has. I couldn't find one I liked better, so I have purchased this one piece by piece from eBay over the past few years.

2. My new pre-lit tree. Even though one section blinks, it is still a cool tree and just the tree I wanted.

3. My "Merry Christmas Y'all" snowman. It was given to me by an ex-boyfriend's mother for Christmas (while we were still dating). It is a handmade snowman with a straw hat, red bandanna and a string of christmas lights (on his hat) holding a sign that says "Merry Christmas, Y'all"

4. My six foot door hanger that says "Jingle all the way," with a snowman head in a tall hat. My sister-in-law gave it to me several years ago as a gift.

5. My hand painted Mickey Mouse ornament. It is cool because it is a clear glass ball that was painted on the inside. I got it as a gift but I don't remember who gave it to me.

6. My "real" icicles for my tree. I bought them last year at the end of the season. They relly do kind of look like real icicles hanging around the tree.

7. A little porcelain angel ornament on my tree. It is a little bit of nothing ornament, but was the first ornament I bought myself when I got my own first tree. It always gets a special place near the top of the tree.

8. A hand-blown glass snowman ornament. Again, it was a gift, but I don't remember who gave it to me.

9. A teddy bear santa icicle ornament. I know it sounds strange, but you'll just have to trust me, it's cool looking. It was a gift from an ex- who was a real jerk, but did things sometimes that were so sweet -- like come home from a trip with friends with this silly ornament he got just because he thought I'd like it.

10. My wire star tree topper. I hunted and hunted until I found a topper I liked.

11. This little snowflake tea light candle holder my sister got me last year. The heat of the candle burning makes the fan thing spin and the hanging snowflakes cast really cool sparlkes on the wall and around the room. I think she got it as a stockig stuffer/afterthought, but I think it's really cute.

12. My Santa Clause's cookie plate and mug. Since I'm not generally at my own house for Santa's visit, I have it sitting on my mantle.

13. All the gold and red balls on my tree. They sparkle just right.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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I was tagged for a meme

My Aunt tagged me for a meme.

Here goes...

This is what I'm supposed to do:

1.Grab the book closest to you
2.Turn to page 56
3.Go to the fifth line
4.Type it and the following couple of lines

Since I'm sitting in my office, the book closest too me is the Franklin Covey Style Guide for Business and Technical Communication. (Hey, it was this or the phone book...)

Page 56, line 5 says: "In other contexts -- for instance, a presentation using overhead transparencies -- complementary colors are often too bright, maybe even annoying. Split -complementary colors are two colors positioned adjacent to a single color on the wheel."

Now I'm supposed to tag five people. I don't know who to tag, but I guess if you want to do this, go for it!! Just link back to me and let me know you did it.

Have a great day!

After NaBloPoMo...

Well, another year, another month of blogging down. I did it again this year. Strangely, this year was harder than last year. But, I did it. I even did it without even having to time any of them back.

But beyond NaBloPoMo, life continues. Yesterday, the photo job was *not* fun. There were some really nice customers and one that made me want to rip the weave (a bad one at that) of her head and smack her with it. NOTHING was good enough. Normally I can just vent a bit and go on. That didn't seem to cut it today. THEN, I came home and cried at about every third sappy commercial.

Oh well. I've only got a few more weeks at the Photo Job. I'm counting down to my last day already. That isn't good. I totally don't want to do it anymore. It has gotten un-fun. But, I need to do it because I need the money. *sigh* I love photography. I love portrait photography. I love taking portraits of kiddos. I just need to remind myself of that more, I guess.

Sill, what is wrong with me? Must be PMS. Yeah, that is it. I'm blaming my moodiness on PMS.

Day 30: Weekly Winners November 23-29

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My Weekly Winners for November 23 - November 29

Memories of Thanksgiving 2008 -- Sorry there are so many, but I couldn't narrow it down any further. I hope you like them. The first are from the Turkey Trot and the rest are from the day.