Everything is Fine

Two weeks ago, I called a friend. Immediately, I knew something was wrong. She denied it and tried to make small talk. We have been friends for a long time and I know probably all of her secrets, but I played along. A few minutes into the conversation, she burst into tears and said she couldn’t talk right now.

Every few days since then, I have called her and slowly she divulged all the different issues bothering her. Mainly, she was worried that her career had taken a nose dive. For the past seven years, she has been working for the devil-incarnate. I have been hearing some rather extreme horror stories since she started. The whole thing finally blew up and she is suddenly without a job in a time when the economy is frightening. On top of that, every shot she has had turned sour as soon as they checked with past employers (we all know which one). I am actually listed as one of her references, because she assisted me with Marketing at a company where we worked together. I have yet to receive a call.

I gave her a few words of advice, but nothing very helpful. Two nights ago, the answer suddenly came to me. I knew exactly who she should work for and no other references besides mine would be necessary. Yesterday, after I made a few calls, she was offered a dream job working from home. Maybe I shouldn't say "dream job," she isn’t making an ideal salary to start off. However, by the end of the day, she was walking on sunshine. She went from the depths of despair to the highest of highs.

I have been thinking about this situation since then and I realize that opening up to others and networking can really work miracles. You never know who will be your link in the chain. For a while, I didn’t even realize that I was that link for her. This world really is small. Now, I just have to take my own advice and stop keeping all my problems bottled up. ...we'll see.

Lexi Turns Three

Today, Lexi turns three. In many ways, I can't believe that she is growing up so quickly. On the other hand, it is hard to remember what life was like before she was born. I am actually glad she is three now. It will sound goofy, but for the last 2 months she has been saying something that kind of makes me want to panic. She says, "Momma, Jordan is one and I am two." It makes me feel like I had them too close together. Fortunately, that ends today. She is three and he is one, which sounds much better.

Lexi's Perspective on Today

This morning, I had the Today show on while we ate breakfast and cleaned the house. I took a few minutes to explain to Lexi that we are getting a new President today and that his name is Barack Obama. Here are some of her funny comments:

“Yeah, Rock Obamie!”

I pointed out the huge crowds and she said, “That is a lot of cheerleaders!” Then later, “Those aren’t cheerleaders, mommy. They have flags.”

She constantly asked me who different people were. When I pointed out George Bush, Sr. She said, “Just like George the monkey.” (a.k.a. Curious George)

Her innocent comments always make me laugh.

Kid Fears

A few nights ago, I heard Lexi crying. I went into her room to see what was wrong. She was half awake and complaining that the “black lady” was going to get her. Since she doesn’t know any terms for racial differences, I knew she didn’t mean African American. So, I asked her which black lady. She told me the one in Sleeping Beauty. Since then, she is scared of her dark room and it is my fault.


As a teenager, I babysat a lot of kids so I know that the Disney Princess movies can be scary. That is why I planned to wait until Lexi was at least 5 to let her watch them. Last week, I broke my own rule. Lexi wanted to watch a movie, Jordan was taking a nap, and I had a LOT of work to do. I rationalized that she is advanced for her young age and that she really likes the princesses. Besides, she doesn’t seem to be afraid of anything. …blah, blah, blah. Of course at the end of the movie, she talked about Aurora and the fairies and everything nice. I didn’t think much of it until I heard about the “black lady.” I’m back to the rule about waiting until she is FIVE.

Just Surviving

This year, I am not making any resolutions. I make a few every year even if they are just silly things. I don't feel like I can do it this year though. I can't even go into what is stressing me out or much about all the other factors that just add to that. I'll just say that life is difficult and somehow I have to find the way to make some major changes. I think it is appropriate to say that 2009 is about surviving. It is about living life in the moment and cherishing the wonderful blessings I do have. It is also about being strong and knowing I can plow through it.

I am sure that I am not the only one trying to get through this year. Economic issues have put a lot of people in survival mode. Lets hope we can all get through whatever it is we are battling with as soon as possible. How is that for a resolution?

Lady in Red

Last week, the Today Show had a quick segment on attracting guys. They got hung up on the first suggestion and basically only talked about how guys are very turned on by the color red. Apparently, they've discussed this before back in October because when I googled it, this is what I found: The woman in red really drives men crazy.

I decided to test it out. For our little New Years Eve party with friends, I put on a red top (not sexy). Other than that, I was dressed and made up in my typical fashion. When I walked down the stairs, Steve said, "Whoa, you look great." I had to smile because I haven't heard that from him in quite a while. I guess it really does work. By the way, he has no idea. I can use it on him whenever I want. hahaha.

Happy New Year!

Our Christmas was wonderful. I was my usual shopping crazed self. My Christmas shopping was basically done in November, but by the middle of December presents were wrapped and hidden. Like every year, I began to wonder if I had enough. I started shopping again and the kids ended up very spoiled. To be honest, I don’t feel guilty. I am not much of a toy shopper throughout the year. Clothes are my ultimate temptation, so that is what I focus on during the year and should feel guilty about. I figure that Christmas is the time that the kids need to win the shopping battle. Santa was definitely too nice.



Christmas didn’t end up being the relaxing day that I had predicted. Due to invites that were extended on Christmas Eve, our plans changed. In the morning, we went to a fun brunch with some of our best friends. They not only fed us, but entertained us with a puppet show. That evening, we had Christmas dinner with some new friends that have 4 young daughters. We all enjoyed socializing.

Now, New Years Eve is tomorrow and we have party plans with some of my old high school friends and their kids. Another year has flown by and like everyone else I can’t help but reflect on 2008. It brought a few big changes like buying a new place and a vehicle. I also started working from home, which lead me to put Lexi into a mother’s day out program and hire a cleaning service to come every other week. We also went to the Grand Canyon for my family reunion and I got to reconnect with some of my cousins that were practically like sisters to me when growing up. Other things happened, but none come to mind right now.

2009 is quickly approaching and I can’t help feeling insanely nervous about what it might bring. I am mainly anxious that my workload is going to explode for the next few months. The last few months it has been slow, but I have still been getting paid. I have a feeling that I am going to be suffering for that soon. I wonder if I can keep up with all that is probably headed my way. People’s jobs are depending on my ability to secure projects for the company. I am not the kind of person that allows myself to fail no matter how much I have taken on. I hope I don’t go insane trying to keep everything in my life balanced. In fact, thinking about it makes me feel exhausted. Somehow, I’ll get through. I will just be keeping my fingers crossed that some huge projects will come through quickly and I’ll be off the hook.

I hope 2009 treats everyone in blogland fantastically! We could all use a good year, right?

Merry Christmas!

We're planning on spending a quiet Christmas at home. I'm hoping for something rather mellow, but enjoyable. Besides our own little Christmas, I have several friends that will be in town this week. It will be fun to see them again. One thing is for sure, the weather here is going to be crazy. Yesterday, the highs were in the 30s. On Christmas, they're predicting 75 degrees and rainy. I guess that is typical here though.

I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas Guilty Pleasure

For Thanksgiving, my freshman year of college, I took a road trip with a new friend. We went to San Diego to spend it with her family. On the drive, she popped in an old cassette of Wham! In one of the songs, and deep voice came on and said, "Touch This." We laughed until we cried and kept rewinding it. I can't even tell you what song it was. Of course, I've never heard that version on the radio, but since then all Wham and George Michael songs take me back to that trip. She is still one of my best friends, but we don't live close so these little flash backs are extra special.

As many of you know, I am quite a festive person. I like cheesy Christmas music. Combine that with a Wham song & you have a winner. Unfortunately, I've only heard their Christmas song twice this year and once was in Target (so that doesn't count). ...I googled it & found the video on YouTube. I'll make you all suffer with my guilty pleasure.

New Outlook

Yesterday, I was forced to give up my dying little Saturn sedan. We have been together for eleven years. I had it paid off even before I met Steve. I can certainly say that we had a long relationship with very few issues. On Monday, it just started shutting off while I was driving. I coasted to the side & started it right back up, but I had a feeling this was an indication of much bigger problems. We took it to the shop that night and were told that the cost to repair it was going to be over $1,000, which is more than the little car is worth. We decided that it was time to shop for a Saturn Outlook, something we were planning to do this coming summer. Don’t worry about my poor little car; I sold it to the mechanic who was very excited because his family only has one car. It makes me feel better knowing that it is going to a good home.

We went to two Saturn dealerships yesterday and found exactly what we were looking for at the second one, well minus a dvd player. They are going to put one in for us though. Since I plan to keep this vehicle FOREVER too, it feels like I am starting a new phase of life. I am excited that we have a vehicle that we actually fit comfortably in, and that it will be more difficult for the kids to fight because they can’t reach each other, and that we can actually go on a driving vacation if we want to. Today, I am in love.

Next month, when I have to make the first payment after seven and a half years of not having one, I’m sure I’ll cry.