I’ve been swamped – still. What else is new huh? I’ve been working tons at SuperCuts. We’ve been short staffed – to the extreme – and I’ve been working lots to help out. This week will be better (already is, I was actually off for the entire day today) and next week will be even better. One stylist gets back from vacation, and a new stylist finishes hair style academy the end of the week. In addition, one of our stylists who had transferred to another store transferred back. That’s a difference of 3 stylists – in a small shop thats 1/2 our staff! I’ve still been applying for jobs. One job that I applied for has said they have two full time EA positions. I’m considering it. I would rather teacher, but at this point, I have to consider any full time job.

Tomorrow is BUNCO! Woo hoo! I wasn’t able to go last month (too crazy, and still had company). I’m very excited. I’m also going to be hosting book club – if only I can settle on a date! I’m working on it! I was hoping that it would be sat, but alas, I have to close so thats a no go. I chose the book Etta based on a recommendation from my SIL and I have to say it was a good read. I really enjoyed it.

In other news – Ducky returned home today. A week early. She was having a tough time and decided to that she needed to come home. I must say I was relieved. I knew she was having a tough time, and I was worried for her. It was a tough situation and I’m glad she’s out of it. Besides that, we missed having her around. It was way too quiet with her gone! She’s the spark, the live wire in the family. She’s so much like me it’s not even funny! LadyBug is like her dad. Outgoing, friendly, smart and very technical. She loves to cook, to tinker with mechanical things and she’s very gifted athletically, although she doesn’t have the discipline or desire to pursue any gifts in that area. Ducky is outgoing, a little crazy, a little rebellious, gifted with words and has honed your use of sarcasm to a fine edge. They are both so different, but so alike. I really enjoy both of them — they each have such great personalities. LadyBug tends to drive me crazy with her testing and I often believe that is a direct result of her father’s genetics! The stories I have heard from my MIL makes me think LadyBug’s dad drove his mom to distraction as well. She once wished twin red-haired boys on him. She later apologized to me for that, but I think that LadyBug is my twin red-haired boys in disguise! LOL

I’m off, and I’m actually going to go visit some of my xanga buddies!

Have a great night and I’ll hopefully talk to you again soon!

A friend just mentioned to me that it’s been a month since I’ve been to xanga. A month??? Really??? Holy cow. How did the time zip by so fast? The sad part is, I’m still in the middle of a whirlwind that won’t end till this week ends. However, I got up early and decided to spend some time with my computer, if I can remember how!

Prom went great, as you can see by the pictures. Then it was getting ready for confirmation, graduation, parties and guests. All the while working 20 hours a week at Super Cuts and subbing as much as I possible could. It got a little crazy to say the least! I’ll post graduation pictures and confirmation pictures as soon as I get some real time to download them, fix them up and then post them here.

I do miss xanga. Something about it. It’s like that favorite diary you wrote religiously in as a teen, and then wandered away from somehow and could never get back into the habit. I’m hoping that won’t be the case here. So many of my xanga friends rarely update or comment any more though. They are all on facebook. While I like face book, it seem that some of the personal feeling is gone. Here I feel like I really get to know people through their blogs. Weird huh? I’m sure it’s all in my mind.

Tomorrow Ducky leaves for Hawaii. Please pray for her safety and well being. This trip could be quite difficult for her and I am concerned for her. My final house guest (and best friend for almost 19 years) leaves to return back to Florida Friday. Since school is out, no more sub jobs. So it will be much easier to do things like – update, job hunt, clean the house, etc. I’m glad but yet again, sad. It’s been so much fun having Zingy here. And seeing all of our family. However it’s been crazy hectic since like beginning of April? I think I’m ready for some mundane routine. LOL

so, Question of the day?

Would you willingly jump out of a perfectly good airplane?

A HUGE THANK YOU to all of our vets on this memorial day. With out your service and sacrifice we would not have the freedoms we have today. Nothing said or done in your honor will ever match the gift you gave. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

The Cost of Prom:

Mani / pedicures: $30.00

Hair: $75. 00

and lots of patience.

Make up: $25.00 and some help

Dress and accessories $100.00 Masks $20.00 Boutineer $15.00

Looking fantastic and having a wonderful, memorable Prom: PRICELESS

One weekend has become a running joke around the house. It started small and kept snowballing until all I can do is laugh and say “of course”.

It started out with a conflict between LadyBug’s play and her MANDATORY confirmation retreat. See the play runs Thurs and Friday evening. Since she actually has two parts (little ones, but two none the less) she pretty much HAS to be there. Unfortunately, the retreat starts Friday afternoon. OK, fine. No biggie we can work that out. I do some wheeling and dealing with her Youth Minister and everything is A-OK.

Then a friend calls and says they would like me to sponsor them for their confirmation. Only they are not getting confirmed in May, but in April and guess what weekend? That’s right. That Sunday.

Now comes a big wrench. After committing to that, I drag out of Ducky the date of the Senior Prom. Wanna guess? Ahhh… I’ll just tell you. Yep Sat. of that weekend. Well. That pretty much puts the kibash on the confirmation, as it’s in Tucson 7+ hours away. Ducky has been waiting for Senior prom … well pretty much since she learned there was such a thing. I can’t bear to not be here for it. Someone suggested I trust hubby with the picture taking task. Ummm. NO. He would snap one shot, they would both be blinking, and he would send them on their way. CoraLora suggested I let LadyBug handle the photos, which would actually work as she quite adept. However, remember? She’s on a retreat that week end. *sigh*

But wait… there’s more (whoa…I just channeled an infomercial….)

So sister who is still very pregnant finally has her friend get her crap together for the baby shower. She texts me and says “Shower on the 25th”. HA. HA. HA. No. Which really bums me out because my sister doesn’t have that many friends there yet and I wanted to be there for the shower. No way can I do play, retreat, senior prom, baby shower and confirmation all in one weekend. I’m good, but I’m not that good.

But wait… there’s more.

I ask my friend Terrific58 when our book club is going to be — guess what day it is???? Go on. Guess.

For those who guessed the 25th ding, ding, ding! You get a gold star.

How much more can be piled into one weekend I’m not sure. Aren’t people aware that there are several other weekends in April? And guess what? There are several weekends in May as well.

The baby shower got changed, and the book club is also getting moved (maybe) which will be nice. So the current plan goes, Play, play, drive to retreat, senior prom, possibly drive to Tucson, pick up from retreat.

Whew.

Sadly, one weekend in May is starting to develop frightening similar characteristics as this devilish weekend in April. Wish me luck. I think I may need it.

Question of the Day:

Do you ever overbook your calendar?

Hubby is gone again. To CA this time.After a crazy two weeks in which he worked insanely long hours then came home and did more work. I hope he gets some down time there. He needs it!

So Friday night I worked. Ladybug planned to spend the night with a friend and Ducky and CoraLora also had plans that included the night at a friends. I thought I had a coffee date with my bud slash manager: Super C. Sadly, he had to give me a rain check as his day derailed fairly quickly. So instead of having coffee with a friend and relaxing, I came home to a big, quiet, very empty house.

I used to do that all the time pre-children. Hubby was often TDY, in our first three years of marriage he was gone over half that time. I didn’t really mind being alone. I would often hang out with other spouses, read all night or venture out for some quality me time. Friday night I found that it was just TOO quiet. After 17, almost 18 years of constant noise, I realize I have developed new comfort zones. Back when the girls were little, I would yearn for some peace and quiet. Now I find that peace and quiet leave me bored and restless.

I ran through a list of things I could do: read, watch a movie, clean (goodness forbid), scrapbook, even *gasp* write a new blog entry.

None of these captured my interest in the least.

*sigh*

What on earth am I going to do when they move away???? Luckily, Ducky and CoraLora are both discussing living here their first year at college. Both have just about decided to go to UNM. I may have another year in which to mentally prepare. And as their lives. and LadyBugs, continue to get more active and busy, I might get in some practice before the big change comes. That could come in very handy.

Hopefully by the time I actually have to face an empty nest, I’ll be capable of entertaining myself for more than 10 minutes.  There’s always hope right?

Question of the day:

a: What do you do with your alone time – if you get any?

or

b: Do you enjoy being alone, or would you rather have company?

PS: I am making a protected post with Ducky’s senior portraits. I am going to add pics of LadyBugs new hair style and color when she gets home. If you are not on my protected list and wish to be, comment or message me.

Alright, tonight is a child free night. Woot! Of course, as the girls get older, this happens more and more frequently, and some nights I must say I actually miss them!

CoraLora (adoptee daughter) and Ducky are at a poetry slam. LadyBug is at a lock-in at the church.

Hubby and I found ourselves with a free evening and decided to go see a movie. At the cheap theaters of course, cause who wants to pay an arm and leg for a movie these days. Well, we want to, but common sense dictates that we don’t - except for movies we REALLY, REALLY want to see. So off we went to the cheap theaters, where for $4.00 the two of us got in to see Inkheart. As a long time fan of the book, I’ve been wanting to see the movie, and I must say they did an excellent job!! I was well pleased with the way they stuck to the meat of the story. The actors did great with the characters they were chosen for. The whole thing was done very well! Of course, I love Brendan Fraser. A long time Brendan fan — way back from Airheads days. We saw Journey to the Center of the Earth recently and it was good as well! But I digress. I’m also a huge Paul Bettany fan — who wouldn’t be. Fell in love with him as an actor when he portrayed Chaucer in A Knight’s Tale. One scene in Inkheart is literally and figuratively HOT and he’s the reason!

It was very enjoyable!

Speaking of movies (well, technically, I’m writing of movies, but let’s not nit-pick). I really want to go see Race to Witch Mountain. I know, I know. Cheesy, Peasy. But as a child (and heck let’s just admit it, an adult as well) I love the Witch Mountain movies. I’m very stoked that they are finally making a new and by the looks of it, modern, installment. I’m not sure about Dwayne Johnson as an actor, The Game Plan was cute, but was it really a stretch for him to play and egotistical, self-centered, emotionally stunted jock? I think the jury is still out as to his acting abilities.

And now, I’m supposed to be reading my book club book, but I probably won’t. I just got it today, and book club is tomorrow night. *sigh* This month has just gotten away from me! Book club choice for last month was: The Appeal by John Grisham. Next months is: Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster. Hopefully I’ll have some time get those in. We did get Ducky’s senior portraits ordered today (can you say “OUCH” — I can). I’m glad to finally get that task taken care of. I’ve been trying to get Ducky to sit down with me and choose the poses since Nov. Hey it only took what, 5 months — not too shabby. <pulls out hair> I can’t wait to get them! Her proofs turned out soooo great! I’m so excited (whoa, I just broke into an Pointer Sister’s melody there…).

Alright, before I break into anymore songs, correct myself or use any more parentheses, I’m going to go watch my DVR’d Survivor — SHHHH! don’t tell me what happens! I also have CSI to watch, but I don’t think I can get that in tonight as I have to get up and open tomorrow — dang it.

Peace.

Out.

Question of the day:

What task that you’ve put off – for whatever reason – have you recently completed?

OK, so I admit, I’ve been computer absent for some time. So let me fill you in on the comings and goings of azcason.

First, remember when I told you that we were all really sick? Well, I was sicker than I ever guessed. I kept getting worse and worse and finally went to urgent care. Well scratch that I tried to get an appointment at the clinic,when I couldn’t they suggested I come in the next day. By that time I was so sick, I said no way, I’m going to urgent care. They said I couldn’t go with out a referral. I said I would pay for it if I had to. Then the nurse said she would ask me some questions to determine whether I was ill enough to require urgent care. After a long series of questions which almost all the answers were “yes” she said “I don’t think you can wait, you sound really sick and should definitely be seen right away”. Hmmmm…..good idea brainiac.  So off I went to the unbearable wait at urgent care. I was ticked immediately upon arrival, as I realized I had left my book at home….grrr.

The upshot – I had pneumonia. The next couple of days were some of the worst of my life. I have NEVER been that sick. Ugh. I hope I will never be that sick again. I am finally just about recovered, as is everyone in the house.

To top that off,when I went back to work it was with a force. Then, the computer started acting up so we had to do a rebuild.

Whew.

I’ve been doing the NMELPA, working evenings and trying to fit in everything else that’s going on – dinner club, bible study, bunco, book club, play practices for Ladybug, graduation prep for Ducky, ugh.

I went back to Monday before last. I won’t have a day off till Saturday after next. 3 weeks without a solid day off. fun huh? Who hoo! Everybody Parteee!!!

The upside is… when I’m on my day off, I’m going to head off to Tucson to hang with my good friend for the weekend. I’m very ready for a girls weekend! OK, so that’s it for azcason…..

What’s been happening with all of you??

So we’ve all been sick, sick, sick here. It went through the house like a wildfire. Ducky I think had it worst, she missed a week+ of school and eventually was diagnosed with severe bronchitis. They even x-rayed her to make sure she didn’t have pneumonia. Wooot. The fun just never stops. Hubby missed 3 days of work, Ladybug missed 2 days of school and ended up on antibiotics for an ear infection. I missed 2 days of work, and should have missed more as I went back too soon, and was feeling like crap all over again yesterday. Coralora (adopted daughter) called in sick to work one day, but went to school everyday and probably made the best recovery of us all! I’m home today chilling with my ‘puter.

I’ve got to go open in awhile, but that is it for my activities today. Well, let me amend that. That’s it for activitites that involve movement for today.

Drama, Drama, Drama at work. I hate Drama. I AM not a good drama person. I’m one of those people who makes friends with just about everyone at work, is happy and pleasant 99% of the time and can be relied on to be at work at the designated hour, do the designated work and typically, have some fun somewhere in that time. I’ve never been a drama person. Hence the reason most of my friends growing and even in adulthood, have been male. The few “girl” friends I’ve gotten close to are typically like me. No drama prone people. Chill people — who just want to have a good time, no soap operas please.

I’ve realized that working in a beauty salon is NOT the place to avoid drama.

Not that I don’t LOVE my stylist friends, but let’s face it, most of them I wouldn’t just “hang out” with you know. Too much work for me. I can’t maintain that high level of emotion. I just want to be chill. I can’t get all worked up over every little perceived slight, or because so and so moved her station over there just to bug you, or so and so took that ticket when it was mine, or so and so did this and that and yadda, yadda yadda. Nope. Can’t do it.

I wonder sometimes what I seem like to them. I probably seem like the most boring person in the world. Never any drama in my life. I just keep plodding along, doing my thing. Of course I have drama — heck I have 3 teenage daughters at home, of course there’s drama. But it’s never a huge thing, it just something that comes, we deal, it goes and voila – we are drama free again, and that’s just the way I like it! So in the coming months, I may appear a little more stressed than usual. With 2 daughters graduating and getting ready to go off to college and one getting ready for confirmtion, the host of people, visits and things to do that accompany these events may put us in Soap Opera land. I won’t be stressed because all the things to take care of, but from dealing with the drama that will assuredly come along with everything else!

Aghhhhhh………. save me from drama!

I bet you were wondering where the heck I’ve been.

OK.

Maybe not.

Regardless, I’m back. I’ve been very busy – work, bunco, book club add to that a house full of sick kids, and a sick hubby, a visit from my folks, refinishing and rearranging furniture, and you can guess the rest. Ducky has been sick, sick and was finally diagnosed with bronchitis and ordered bed rest for four days. This was after she had been sick for over a week. She’s missed so much school. She’s going to have a heck of a time catching up. So good news — not for me – still no job, but I’m getting the footwork done and that’s all I can do.

But good news in all other fronts!

First Ducky got accepted into NAU and even got offered her first (of many to come I’m sure) scholarship! Woot way to go Ducky!

Second: LadyBug got a part in the final play of the year — one of only four freshmen to get one. She’s only a “citizen” but it’s a start! She’s been in drama club since the beginning of the year and loves it.She was also one of only four students invited to attend fencing classes after the fencing instructor gave a 2 week session to the drama students. Way to go LadyBug!

Third: CoraLora got a new job (she finally was able to leave her sonic job).She also got into the college of her choice and is propably going to be offered scholarships as well since she has a 4.0. She also got her driver’s permit.Way to go CoraLora

Finally hubby got a promotion and a pay raise. He’s still doing the same thing he was, but now he’s being recognized and paid for it. Hoorah!

OK, so that’s about all the news I’ve got for now. It’s pretty good though huh?

I’m off to visit. Hopefully I’ll have time again this week to drop in and update and/or visit.

Question of the Day:

What’s the best news you’ve had lately?

So. Surprise, surprise, I did not get the sub services job. Actually, I was kind of surprised since I had talked to the manager several times and she even said she wanted to keep me for herself… then gave the job to someone else. When I asked why she said she had talked to the office staff and they felt the other candidate would be a better fit for the office. Yeah. OK. Second choice again. She said she would definitely call me if this other person didn’t work out for some reason.

I bet you could guess what I thought about that. Uh huh. Yeah. Something along those lines. Along the lines of “I hope that you this chick turns out to be annoying as he** and makes your work environment miserable.” and “don’t bother” as I SO don’t want to work with you anymore!”.

OK – enough complaining.

I’m looking at other options. Including contract work at the base. One of hubby’s friends was chatting with me during a retirement party and she said to send her my resume, that she could probably get me a job on base. She asked if I had a degree, when I told her I had my bachelor’s and my master’s she said she could probably get me a job working part time and making more than I would teaching full time. You know that got my attention. So I’m following that up, and continuing to work on my archdiocese application.

In the mean time I continue subbing, and working a few hours at Super Cuts. I’m down to about 8 hours a week there, so that’s not that big of a help, but hey, every little bit counts right? Right! Like I tell my friend and (newly promoted) manager – “It’s all good, all the time”. Course he’s not really feeling that these days. One of our stylists walked out last night, and the previous manager was terminated today. She was supposed to work until Feb. 12. Pretty much screwed the schedule royally up. Tomorrow it’s going to be me and two stylists. That’s it. All day. Should be fun. I think I’m getting a headache already. Saturdays are our busiest day. Yesterday – 4 people were scheduled to work the majority of tomorrow. Tomorrow we’ll actually have two. I think I’d better stop at Starbucks on my way in. Maybe pick up a pastry or two as well. I think we’ll need the sugar and the caffeine!

Nah….. I’ll just get the coffee. Cause in the good news – I’m almost back down to my pre-holiday weight and posting losses again at WW. Hooray for that!

OK, this is long enough to wear just about anyone out, so I’ll stop here, even though there is more to tell. I’ll try to get on tomorrow — but I may just veg on the couch before dinner. A busy week end coming up – work, dinner with our church group, book club and some more furniture rearranging to do. So – I’ll try to get by to everyone, but if I don’t – have an awesome week end! And enjoy the Super Bowl!

Question of the Day:

What are your big game plans?