Interviews

What a day I have had! I have been working toward finding a legal position for about 2 weeks now. I had sent out resumes and now the phone calls are coming in. It is so exciting! I have been out of the work force for about 5 years, and was a nanny for 6 years before that. It was an exciting position, and I always thought I would eventually become a teacher...but after having three kids it just seemed to be enough of the training and devlopement...and of kids! I needed to find something more...something different to add to my life. I have thrown myself into achieving a pre-law degree, and now the next step: finding a position that can highlight my abilities and give me the right experience in the field. It is a challenging task, but exciting too. Today was day one of the interviewing, and I got two offers. Nothing amazing, but offers are good! I have a big one tomorrow. It is a firm downtown St Louis and a well known one. A number of attorneys I know said they were a great group to interview with, so I am thrilled I will get the opportunity! It is so nice to be living my life as "Susie" some of the time again...and mom or wife the other part. I don't want any of the joys of my life to be weakened, but I sure do look forward to developing my own personal identity again! Life is good today. =)

Gossip

I have had to deal with the MOST annoying situations the last few weeks, and it is just driving me crazy. I have my kids attending a great school, and they love it. The only problem, the gossip there is ridiculous. Is it like this at other schools too? Parents stand out in the parking lot waiting for their kids to come running out, and meanwhile they are degrading themselves and anyone they deem necessary to discuss. It drives me crazy! Are we so bored with our own lives that we must intrude on others'? Are we so insecure that without putting others down we feel inadequate? I love hearing GOOD things about other people, and I love being updated on important things going on with one another...or offer a shoulder to those in need...but this is it for me. I avoid gossip like the plague, and it bothers me to no end to see it getting spread and feelings getting hurt all around me. I have had to stop people in mid-sentence to explain what a waste of time and how hurtful it can be. I can say, when I do that, people generally agree and back off of it for a while...or they do around me! I keep wondering, if the parents do this, what are these children learning from their parents? Yikes! I have 3 daughters, and can't imagine how much it would hurt their self-esteem to have to deal with it constantly. I know gossip will come in and out of their lives, but that doesn't mean I have to like it!! I pay all this money for a better opportunity and better moral system to be put into place for them...and this is going on right in front of them...and me.

Trash to Treasure

Friday Five got me thinking about fun jobs and such. I came across a fun idea recently and it could be a hit...if it is what I wanted to do for a living. I don't, but I like to do it for fun on occasion. (If I tell you this and you make a million doing it, flip me a few bucks, ok?)

Here is the theory behind he fun: "One person's trash is another person's treasure". I hosted a few parties with this theme, and they were so fun! Everyone who comes brings a minimum of 3 items laying around the house they never use: picture frames, decor, holiday decor, fitness equipment, books, dvd's, plants, toys, clothes, etc. The host sets up a "treasure room" for all items to go in upon arrival (I had mine decorated like a pirate ship/treasure room). Next, the host walks around with tickets giving them out for each item brought, for correct answers from quizzing guests on anything she can come up with, and for any drinks/foods they bring for the party. Once all have arrived, the host starts to pull tickets from a basket and calling 2 people into the treasure room at a time to choose an item. You should hear the excitement coming from the room!

I have hosted 2 of these, and have been asked often to host more. They take a lot of work, but people always leave with happy faces and boxes of goods! I take any and all leftovers to salvation army and drop them off. I could have had a garage sale and sold all of my stuff, but this just seemed more fun and a good way to get the things I needed. (I sent out special requests the 2nd time so people could get certain items they needed...ex: kid soccer shoes, gift bags, etc) I even had a lady bring a picture of an old couch and the lucky taker had it delivered to them the next day! They were both so happy.

So, if you have a lot of junk lying around and don't want to have a garage sale, have a "Trash to Treasure Party" of your own! It is "loads" of fun.

Here are my Friday 5:

Friday Five, inspired by Dilek:

1. Would you sacrifice your morals for a job? Never, my morals are far too strong. Have been in the potential position a few times, but realized I could never do it.

2. What is your fantasy job? One that pays me millions to work from home, in my pajamas, challenges my mind but doesn't stress me out, burns calories just thinking about it, and allows me plenty of time with my girls.

3. Would you ever take a job that requires you to be in costume? LOL My husband used to design/build haunted houses...so hired a lot of people who wore costumes....scared to death by these people often...not interested in wearing them myself.

4. Do people often ask you questions? Why or why not? How many questions would you estimate you get asked in an average day? LOL !! I am a mother of 3 and stay home with them. I get asked about a million ?'s per day. I never say there are dumb ?'s, but all silly ?'s get silly answers in this house.

5. Do you often ask questions? Why or why not? Definitely...I am a "why do you think...?" person and always have been. Drove my parents crazy!! Maybe that is why I am now having to deal with #4 now. LOL Life is too curious and amazing not to ask questions!

Never too old...

What a great weekend last weekend was! Not only did the Payton Manning finally get that ring, but my husband and I got to go out dancing and partying with some new friends. As much as I love my kids, I love finding out who I am all over again now that I am done having them! This brings me to the greatest story I have heard in a while. The friends we went out with are from our kids' school, and we don't know them very well. We were invited to come to a local bar and hear him sing with the band that he reunited with recently. On the way to the bar, she told me how that came about. For his 40th birthday a few months ago, she surprised him with his "old buddies and band equipment" set up in their basement. She thought he would feel "young again" and have a blast playing all night for the party. She was exactly right! They played all night, and when the police came to break it up and tone it down, you would have thought he won a million dollars! All of a sudden he wasn't the family provider or strict dad...just a band guy with a means of expression that got him into a little trouble. (What is it about bad boys?) After that night and lots of Thursday night practises, they played on stage again. They were fantastic and we danced all night. The bar was packed and the owner (friend of my dad's) told me they hadn't had it that busy in years, and hoped to have them back asap. I went back to my friends' house the next afternoon to pick up my car (had a designated driver--and needed it) and saw him looking a little rough...I asked if all was well? He smiled ear to ear and said, "I may be soar and feeling rough right now, but I am not too old to rock!". I cracked up all the whole way home. 40 and still kickin' it! Yeah baby.

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