Ahhh, I've had a relaxing day today.  I'm off today and the next two days.  Haleigh is going to call me when she wakes up in the morning and I've promised her I'll be right over to watch her open her Santa Claus presents. I've gone to the grocery store, expecting great crowds but was pleasantly fooled.  I've cooked a squash casserole for dinner tonight with the kids. And it has been just a very quiet and peaceful day.
   My new store is going well.  There are things I've got to change and people who have to get to know me and it seems that everything as far as equipment is concerned is breaking down all at once.  But it is a challenge and the drive is wonderful. 
  So, here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a good year to come. 
Maybe I'll get my heart back into blogging and maybe not but one thing is for sure.  I'm happy to have a job, I'm happy to be here, I'm happy to be doing well.
Love,
Robbin
  
  
  
 
 
    

My Store

  Oh my goodness, I'm so excited to be home tonight before eight o'clock, I can hardly stand it.    I got home at six thirty!   AND.........I love my new store.  Although it got a little hairy today since I opened alone and didn't know where anything  was,  I made it and at noon I got help and I love love love her.  She was so eagar to please the customers and me!  AND...........sales wise we did wonderful!  I am so happy and think I've finally found a place I can stay.
   It's also a very free feeling being manager again.  It means I can move things and organize things where it is easy to find things.     It is a pretty little store, set up different from any I've seen.  I love it!
   So, I'm very happy and at peace.  It's a good place to be.

Reason number 564.......

.........why I'm so excited to start work in my new store tomorrow.  Friday night it took me two hours to get home and last night an hour and a half.  Time it takes to get home from my new store...40 minutes tops as long as traffic is moving.  The highway I will take is not a big major freeway like I've been having to take so I'm very happy.
   My life has moved so fast lately, there's been much to tell but no time or energy to blog.  Now that I'm working a little closer it could be I have more time of my own to do the things I love to do.  Ok, you know I always am interested in the towns I work in and so I'm now working in Tacoma.  And I'm always interested in who was born or buried in each town.  There are numerous famous sports people who I've not a clue who they are but also Bing Crosby, Blair Underwood, and Dyan Cannon were all born in Tacoma.
   Also the lady which the movie Tug Boat Annie is about was a real person born there and her company Foss Tugboat is still going strong. 
   The city has 200,000 people.  But oddly enough the store that I'm taking over is not a high volume store at all.  Not sure why, hope I can get a customer base.  We have other stores in the city also and none of them do that great!
   On a good day one can spot a killer view of Mt. Rainier.  There's an amazing Glass museum which Amy and Haleigh and I have visited.  ALL in all I'm excited to be there.
  The bad news is for the next two weeks I have limited help, my one major employee is taking not one but two weeks of vacation.  Great timing.  And so I'm pretty much on my own to start with.  I'm sure that will not impress the Dr. but I'm lucky that they share Dr.'s with other stores and I know one of them, he was the Dr. I worked with in Lacey. 
     The kids went and cut their Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving and bought me  a cute little one which still sits over there not decorated.  I think Haleigh is coming to decorate it for me one day this week when I get off early.  I have no day off.  But I'm hoping to be off next Sunday.
   And last but not least Haleigh performed in her annual Nutcracker this afternoon and she was just beautiful.  This year her mom had a part too.  Matthew and I stayed until after their scenes and then we snuck away and had dinner together and watched the Falcons play Tampa Bay. 
   And last but not least, I killed my poor car with all the miles I've put it through for the past month.  It was a 1999 Chevy and I've replaced him with a cute little 2001 Mitsubishi that is named "Mitzi".  We hope she's a good girl even though you never know with used cars.  At least I'll only travel around 70 miles a day instead of 112 miles a day, thanks to my promotion.
   So, that's all my news I'm thinking.   Life is good.  For that I'm happy and thankful.
Have a good week! Love,
R
   
   

An Exciting Week for Me

   I've had quite an interesting week.  First of all I guess I'm what you'd call  a "Fair Weather" employee since I've not been to work since Sunday.  Well, I was officially off yesterday and today but because of our Early Winter Storm, I had an extended holiday.  But I was also going to have the weekend off but since I lost so much time I feel obligated to work on Saturday since it was offered to me.  Our temps got way way down in the teens but today it has steadily warmed up and tomorrow things should be almost normal.  At any rate, I'm proud I survived our first storm and was able to stay home.  Next time I may not be so lucky but we'll not worry about that now.
   The next thing that happened this week makes me very happy.  I did well on the career assessment test and the District manager has found a store for me to manage and the commute is half what I'm doing now.  Like Matthew said earlier tonight, it is the best case scenario. I get more money and drive less, in fact it is the very closest store there is at this time to where I live. I'm not sure yet when it takes effect, really soon I think.  This is such a big  deal for me. 
   IT'S been such a long journey for me to feel somewhat like myself again.  The job helps and the fact that it is a company I'm familiar with makes it all the better.  I've worked some crappy hours, made pretty crappy pay, and drove all those miles but was so grateful to be back to work.  And now I'm not far from being where I was before.  I've never regretted quiting my job, I had to do that.  I wasn't able to work, at least not mentally.  IT was the right thing to do at the time and I'm so grateful to Matthew for allowing me to be able to do that. 
Anyway, I'm rambling now but I am very happy and thankful this Thanksgiving night.  I only hate that I don't get to go with the kids to cut a Christmas Tree! 

My Very First Ever Snow Day

  We've been hit with a really early winter storm.  In fact as I sit here at 4:30 in the afternoon the temp is 27 degrees and snow covers everything.  I did everyone a favor today and stayed off the roads.  I missed work.  And I'll probably miss tomorrow too.  It can't be helped.  But I've gotten such a kick out of watching the snow today.  It is dry fluffy snow for now and pretty as can be.  I watched amazed as people sledded down the street I live on.  I laughed at Sweetie who couldn't quite figure out what in the world all that white stuff was.   
   And...........I'm very close to getting my own store.  I was offered one today but it is a bit too far from me and much to my surprise she said she had a back up plan for me so she is working on that.  If that works out, my commute could be cut in half and I'd love that for sure! 
  The wind is blowing like crazy right now and it looks like a blizzard to me!

   

Where Ya'll From? Peaches & Cream Cottage & other things that make me GRIN

  My accent never goes unnoticed .  Mostly my customers wait until we are done with our transaction and then they'll ask "Where does that accent come from?"  There are those who try to guess and I usually give them three tries.  Nobody ever gets it.  The top three guesses are Alabama, Tennessee, and North Carolina.  And then there are those who leave me with an ever so mild Southern Drawl of their own that they say is quite contagious.  And then there are a few fellow southerners who came here through the military or to follow family.  Those are the ones I share a kinship with and the ones who understand that "ya'll" is plural, not singular.  I had a cute man today who said, "Let's see, where is that accent from, Brooklyn?"  He was kidding me you see and he guessed Alabama and was quite taken aback when he found out he was wrong.  It surprises me that Georgia is so often forgotten or not mentioned.  Georgia  the "Empire State of the South" as I learned in Georgia History.  Atlanta is in Georgia for goodness sakes!   Oh well, it is fun to talk different from almost everybody around. 
   And......Haleigh has wanted me to name my little house for some time now and finally she decided the name for me.  "Peaches & Cream Cottage" because.........this tickles me to death!..........because the outside is Peach colored, the inside is all cream and I'm from Georgia, so there you go, a very smart grandchild I must say!  
  And last but not least,  the district manager that hired me wants me to take a career assessement that all the managers have to take now.  Could I be close to being promoted to management again?  That would be nice for sure.
   So, that's all the news from Peaches & Cream Cottage here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.   Hope your week is a good one!
  

DID YOU KNOW.........

.......That I have a mountain view from my house?

Feeling More @ Home @ Work

  I don't really know why but when I first started working at the store I'm working in now, I had such a hard time.  Everything seemed so hard.  Everyone's problems were not simple or easy to solve.  This store leads the district I think in managed care which is insurance.  That is hard to say the least, dealing with that.  People seemed unfriendly to me or indifferent.  Slowly but surely things seem a little better.  We had a super busy day today and I love that and it was pretty easy as well.  I especially love easy.  So, I'm not sure what it is exactly but I'm feeling better.
   My accent is always a topic.   One little sweet girl told me she  "loved hearing me talk country", so funny to me.  I guess it does stand out a bit.  I don't mind. 
   Tonight I was invited to go to the kid's for dinner.  It was good and we had a nice visit.  I remember when I was first talking about coming out here that Matthew so hoped I'd get work nearer than I have but that didn't happen.  So we don't see each other so much but I know he is here when I need him and that is a comfort.  I don't feel so alone in the world. 
   And so, here I am, enjoying my job, not even minding the commute much, loving my little cottage.  I am a little scared of the preditions of a very bad winter but I'll take it as it comes. Driving in ice is something I really don't want to do.  Nor snow!  (Don't you laugh my Minnesota friend!")
   Anyway, I'm tired but all is well.  Hope all is well for you too.
Love,
Robbin
 

New Specs

  One of the greatest perks of working for this company has for me always been the fact that we get free glasses.  I've not bought my own glasses for I guess 17 years now.  I thought there for a while I was going to have to and I knew I'd never be able to afford the quality of eye wear that I've become accustomed to.    But the ones I'm wearing now, the ones that I got today are by far the most expensive ones ever.  Prices have gone up it is true but technology has improved also and therefore I have the best progressive lenses available. I have the highest index possible which makes my lenses very thin.   I have transitions, (the ones that change with the light)I have anti reflective coating and a completely rimless frame with rubber like temples that are so light weight I cannot feel them on my face.  And the cost of these glasses had I had to buy them?  Almost $800!  I think they are the most valuable thing I own, I think my car is not worth much more than that!  Very nice.  I like them.
   I'm getting a little more comfortable with the people that are our customers in this store.  They are different and more challenging than any customers I've ever experienced.  The manager, (my boss), is a little depressed with the situation as the sales are down and she has tried for two years to get things going but nothing seems to work.  I'm determined to try and help all I can.
   Friday Haleigh and I are spending the day together and that night we get to go see her mom in a play.  I'm excited about that.  I then have to work all weekend and all next week until Friday and I have three days off right in a row.  That will be nice.
  SO, that's all my news for now. 

Meet Irene

  Irene is the newest addition to my little cottage.  I'm in love with her.  I didn't name her, she is Irene by Lazy Boy.  Her color is crimson and she is one of their smaller models so she fits perfectly and as I said, I love her. 
   Work is very interesting.  As I've mentioned before the people in Renton Washington are a little different.  I'm still finding my footing so to speak with them but I'm enjoying the challenge.
  The commute is sometimes not so fun but I can live with that. 
   Today I have been off and have been quite lazy but it is a rainy day and it is nice to be able to relax. 
So things are going good, even if I don't get to see as much of Haleigh as I'd like, I think she and I are spending this coming Friday together so we'll make the most of it.
   Hoping you have a good week and I'll try and check in more often.  My heart wants to write but by the time I get home I'm so tired.  Maybe I'll get back used to working soon. 

At Last

I have a kitchen table and chairs. My kitchen cabinets are IKEA and so that is also where my table came from. I like IKEA. It fits and matches perfectly. And I love it. Looks very modern.
When I was young I longed for antiques and now that I'm getting older I long for more modern looks, go figure!

Wednesday is my Monday

I worked all weekend and then I had Monday and Tuesday off and I'm back to work today.  I work 1 till 8 which means I will get home after nine tonight. 
  It is a beautiful fall day here in Washington State today.  The wind is blowing, the sun is shining, there is a tiny little chill in the air and everything looks crisp and golden.
   After putting in a full week at the new store I'm quite happy there.  The manager told me she was a little nervous when the District Manager put me there because her store has been down in budget for a while now.  I assured her I was not there to replace her.  I like her a lot.  She is 35 or so and already has invited me to a Halloween party she is giving.  She says she likes to play Martha Stewart and cook.  Sounds good to me.
   So, off I go to start a new week in the middle of the week.  Haleigh spent a little time with me last night and then her parents walked over to get her and visited a little.  I need more furniture, and a kitchen table.  I only have a couch, but that will come in time.

A Little Tired but Happy

  Working in Renton is a little more stressful which makes me appreciate that I started off again in a slow paced store like Lacey.  I wouldn't have been ready for Renton then.  But I am now.  The people are so diverse and that's the fun part. It is rare for a patient not to have insurance so I'm having to get used to that.  We have a lot of Boeing employees, there are high income people and low income, there is a bit of it all. 
   Traffic for the last few days has been a little rough coming home but not too bad.  For the first two days I missed my exit or made a wrong one coming home but finally I got it!  All in all, I think I'll be happy here until I'm moved again.
  I'm tired and still have two more days to go before I'm off for two days in a row so that will be nice.
 

The New Store

  I'm off today and I've worked in the new store for two days and I like it.  The customers are very different, kind of yuppish, professions, in a hurry, that type.  Sprinkled in though are people of all nationalities and walks of life.  It is going to be quite interesting.  My manager is cool, and my co-workers seem nice.  So all is well with that part.
   Anyone who really knows me well knows of my disability of having no sense of direction.  So, though for two days I've arrived there with no problem, coming home I've screwed up both times.  I'm hoping by Thursday I can drive straight home without taking a wrong exit.
  Today I'm ready for a day off.  The new store has put a little stress on me that I hope I'll get over.  I've had to learn where everything is and how this manager expects things.  Her ways are a  lot different from the way I did things and the way things were done in Lacey but I'll get it. 
   I'm up early and have had some eggs and toast and am about to take Sweetie to the park for her walk.  After that I'm just going to do a few chores around here and then not so much.
  

New Start Again

  I'm a little nervous this morning.  I'll be meeting my new boss and co-workers today and I guess that is why.  Also every manager does things a little differently and so I hope this one does things closer to the way I did things.  We'll see.
   The rain seems to be gone for now, it has rained all weekend, real rain, not typical "Washington Drizzle".  It is nice to see blue skies and the sun.
  Well I'll report in tonight with how my day went.

The Day I'd Like to Forget and Am Going to do SO!

  Yesterday was such a bad day for me that we're not going to talk about it, in fact in my world, September18th didn't happen.  What is important is I'm ok, and excited to start my new store tomorrow.  It started off raining this morning but the sun is shining brightly now.  I think I'm going to take it easy and enjoy my day off. 
   Happy Sunday!

Goodwill Find

I didn't even have any vases for my flowers so off to Goodwill I went and while there not only did I buy vases but I couldn't resist this little tea pot.

Fall Flowers from an early morning special visitor.

Work on the Brain

Last night's drive home was long and hard. It rained the whole way but most everyone was driving carefully around me and it is always the other person we worry about right?
I have two more days to work in the Lacey store today. No Dr. today and the manager is working but she will probably leave soon after I get there and I'll be on my own and I do work alone tomorrow. I'm hoping to make a trip Sunday to my new store just to make sure I know how to get there. It is about the same distance that I'm driving now and part of the way is the same way I go now but the route changes about half way.
It looks like I won't get a full 40 hours each week, somewhere between 35 and 37 but I do have the potential to make a bigger commission since it is a busier store and that helps a lot.  I made over 200 dollars this past month in the store I'm at now and so that helps a  lot.
   I've made some special friends in the Lacey store customer wise.  I've not told them I'm leaving and they'll probably ask what happened to me.  The manager told me I wouldn't like the customers in Renton as they were all punks.  I told her I liked punks too.  She is still mad I'm leaving and has said all kind of negative things to me in kind of a tongue in cheek way. 
  The Dr. told me last night he hated to see me go as he thought I was a good influence on the girls there and that the customers liked me.  I told him I would miss him and had enjoyed working with him.  I hope my new store likes me as well.

And speaking of work, this is my new walk way my landlady made.  I love it.

 
 

Not so Newsy

I don't leave for work today until nearly one o'clock. I've been up since pretty early. I've watched a movie, walked Sweetie, taken a bath, had breakfast and coffee and still have lots of time.
I have this same schedule tomorrow.
I've no idea yet what my schedule will be in the new store. I hope the manager will let me know at least next week's schedule today.
My land lady was here yesterday and worked on a walkway from the driveway to the house. It turned out really cool. She is a hard working lady.
Very quite around here this morning, not much news. Hope your day is a good one.
Love,
Robbin

Look At This

The first picture is one I posted a few years back just because I thought it was cool. It is an English cottage back deck. The second picture is my little deck. I'm going to try and make mine as pretty as this one. I just need the right chairs and table and watering can. I think I can do it.

Rain, Rain, Come ON!

  I've overheard different people say things lately about doing something or finishing something "before the rainy season starts."  I'm kind of looking forward to the rainy season for although I love the sunshine and beautiful cloudless days, I love rain.  I've always loved rain and even day after day of it never bothers me much.  I'm not crazy about having to drive in it but other than that, come on rain.  As a matter of fact, it is raining today.  A soft rain.
   I'm off today, the schedule is strange this last week at the Lacey store.  I go in at two in the afternoon for the next few days and then I work by myself on Saturday which will be my last day.
   Renton is about 13 miles out of Seattle.  This is where my new store will be.  One thing of interest I read was that Jimi Hendrix is buried in a cemetary there.  That's cool.  Ann Rule, the crime novelist lives there. 
  I am going to miss my co-worker Shayna.  Although she is 21 years old and I'm ahemah 50thish........we hit it off really good and for that I'm glad. 
  Oh, I got to take Haleigh to school this morning as her parents both had to be at work earlier than usual.  That was cool.  I'd never done that before.
   Ok, I'm off for a nap, on this cool rainy day it seems to be the thing to do.

A New Store

  Well, my time in the Lacey Wa. store is coming to an end.  The District Manager, the one who origionally hired me called me yesterday morning and told me I would be working in a store in Renton Wa.  It is about the same distance that I am driving now, but it is a faster paced store and I will like that.  My hours will be good and I'm excited.  I will start there Monday.
   The manager of the store in Lacey is not happy because she for some reason thought I'd stay in her store but I had told her from the beginning that I was just helping out while she was on maturnity leave.
  So, that is how it goes and I'm happy, we'll see what happens next.

  

It's Monday Once Again

  Well, the weeks just roll by don't they?  This week I will find out if I stay where I'm at in the store I work in now or maybe get to work part-time there and part-time in another store.  I've no idea what will happen, we shall see.
   The little girl I've worked with these last few weeks made me feel so good the other day.  She is only 21 and has worked with the company for a year.  She never once resented me being there and as she helped me learn the things that had changed since I'd been gone I taught her things she'd not known.  So she tells me the other day that she's so glad I came there and that she's learned so much from me.  I know from experience it could have gone a very different way but she is a good girl and I've enjoyed working with her too.
   Every Monday I talk to my mom.  She is fine.  I mostly just listen. 
  Haleigh woke up, we had our pancakes which she made and sausages and then she was ready to go home.  She did come back over in the afternoon to get her left over macaroni and cheese and got mad with me because I wouldn't drive her back home.  MAN...........was she in a mood!  And she's not even a teenager yet.  I'm scared!
   SO, my weekend was interesting and it went way too fast but I'm ready to go back to work. 
Hope your week is a good one.

Her Weirdness

   Yesterday was exhausting for me.  Haleigh came around lunch and around two o'clock after asking if she could paint my nails and I said no, she suddenly became unhappy here and decided she wanted to go home.  Alrighty then.  Her father was working and her mother was getting ready to go to rehearsal for a show she is in  so it really wasn't that good of timing.  After calling her mom, she left.  Hardly said goodbye to me.  I was a little stunned.
   Oddly enough I could also relate.  I was like that as a child.  While her mom thinks she is spoiled and just wants her way, I think sometimes she is just a little weird like I was.  And still can be.  It makes for a hard life at times and most of the time I am a people pleaser which is just as bad but I too can just decide I want to do something, whether it makes any since to anyone else or not.  And I can't explain it.
   A few hours later she called me and asked if she could come back.  I reminded her that nothing would be different and she might be bored or not want to be here again and she assured me she had just been tired and she'd be happy.  I think she had it in her head that we were going out to eat and to a movie and after I'd told her we weren't she was just disappointed.  Who knows but anyway, she came back, was as content as could be, we had supper, watched a movie and she went to sleep and is still snoozing right now, in  her room, on the carpeted floor(I don't have a bed in there yet) with her comforter.   OH, we did have to drive over to her house to get a few stuffed animals last night that she decided she had to have even though she'd brought one with her.  And there was a little discussion over where she'd sleep.  She used to beg to sleep with me when I was living with her but over here she refused to and after being told she couldn't sleep on the couch since I was staying up later than her, she decided to sleep in her room on the floor.
   So......I'm not sure what that was all about and I'm not going to try and figure it out.  I just know she gets her weirdness honestly.

Just a Lazy Saturday

  Today is just a lazy Saturday for me.  I needed that.  Haleigh is here and spending the night.  She is satisfied right now watching the Disney Channel and playing on her DS.  That is good for although I love her company I'm not much for entertaining her today.  I'm hoping she'll learn that sometimes just being together is all there is and that she doesn't have to be entertained all the time.  As she is getting older she is figuring that out. 
   Next week the manager of the store where I work is coming back to work from maternity leave.  I'm not sure what is going to happen to me.  I was hoping maybe to work in another store a little closer but instead she told the other girl that I'm staying and our hours will be cut.  The district manager that hired me is coming Thursday and wants all three of us there so I'm a little nervous.  When she hired me she talked like she could work me in between the stores to have good hours until I ended up maybe with my own store again.  I know I've got to wait and prove myself to them but I am hoping my hours won't be cut too badly.  At any rate, I'm not going to waste much time worrying about it.  I just know that I'll be fine.
   I live right by the park and this morning there was some sort of ceremony for nine eleven and about two hundred motorcycles rode by here.  It drove Sweetie nuts.  She's been jumpy all day but I had a good time watching them. 
   I had planned to make pancakes and sausage for Haleigh and me breakfast and thought she'd be excited about that but she informed me she had pancakes this morning at her house.  Oh well, you win some and you lose some.  Maybe we'll just have cinnamon toast instead.  She loves that.
   So, that's about all I know today.

 

Well, the TV guy finally got here late late yesterday afternoon and I got TV.  And Haleigh stayed with me until around ten as her parents went out to eat for their anniversary.  The land lady didn't show up but the morning weather was not good although it turned out to be a nice day.

Dress up at Grandma's house.  With my nightgown, my scarf  and make up Haleigh becomes my Indian Grandchild and she is quite beautiful I think.

 

Haleigh's First Time doing Homework at Grandma's

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A Big Moment in Our World

The TV MAN COMETH

  My little Sweetie dog is usually a very adaptable little soul but she has yet to settle down in our new home.  She constantly stares at me with that "I need to go out look" and has me so confused to whether she really needs to go out or she is just asking when we are going back home.  It took her a little while too I think to settle into Matthew's house I'm thinking.   I'm sure she'll settle down soon.  I hope.
   Well, I'm off today and so far no Land Lady but it has been sort of rainy all morning although it is clearing a little now.  She'll probably show up soon.  Haleigh is coming over after school as her mom has a dentist appointment.  I'm excited about that and have some snacks I know she'll like and some chocolate milk just for her.  She thinks the chocolate milk at my house is the best in the land but I remember anything I ate or drank at my Grandma's house was always wonderful.  It makes me happy that she thinks the same.
  SO, the Direct TV man will be here soon and then I can watch TV again.  Or at least have it on. 
I still have some things to find a place for so I'm working a little on that today.  
    And someone I know and love is having a baby today in Illinois and I'm checking facebook every few minutes for updates.  I'm so happy for her.
  So that is my news for now.

Tuesday that seems like Monday

  I have to work today and then I'm off tomorrow and I'm ready to be off.  After working the last three days by myself and with it being very slow, it tired me out.  I'd love to stay home today but then I remind myself I'm so thankful to have a job that I will not complain at all!
   Tomorrow the Direct TV man comes and I'm glad.  I've grown so used to having a TV around if only for the sounds that come from it.  I've had some movies to watch but it will be nice to have the TV back.
   The Land Lady is planning on being here again tomorrow to work in the yard.  This is the second time she has planned to come when I'm am off, although she doesn't plan it that way.  It cramps my style a little bit as last time she painted the porches and I was kind of stuck inside.  Well there is a side door I could go out but she had her stuff all over, it was just weird.  So I thought maybe this time I'd have a day off on my own but no, she is coming to work on the yard again.  And I suspect to make sure the Direct TV man doesn't drill any holes where she doesn't want them.
   Well, I'm all ready and got my lunch packed and I guess I better start my journey to work.  At least I missed the early morning traffic so it shouldn't be so bad.  Hoping you have a wonderful day!

My Baby is 31.....how'd that happen?

A SNEAK PREVIEW OF the INSIDE

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Notice all the light there and the floors are lamenated and so easy to sweep, I'm not a carpet person so that worked out well.  Especially with Sweetie hair! Matthew made fun of my Hot pink cushions but they were on sale and I loved them!

When you Actually Have to Work on Labor Day......

..........is it "unlabor day?"
The only thing worse perhaps than working in an Optical Shop on Labor Day is working the Sunday before Labor Day.  NObody is interested in glasses today.  They are out there in the big store buying charcoal and beer and meat and hotdogs and buns, and well you get the picture.  I am bored out of my mind.  I brought my lap top with me as I was thinking it would be like this and it is!

Right in front of our store is always a display of some sort.  I think it is stuff they are trying to get rid of, but usually it is odd things that is fun to watch the customers stop to look at and discuss or maybe even put in their buggies to purchase.  Last week it was Pink Flamingo Yard art.  Yes, that's right, for only $9 .99 you could be the owner of two Pepto Bismol  colored plastic birds, complete with metal rods up through them  so that they can stand erect and look so real in your yard.  One of the workers out there told us he wanted to buy a set and sneak them in his neighbor's yard during the night!  That would be pretty funny.
   Today there is a display of Campfire Marshmallows.  That seems pretty blah except they are twice the size of regular marshmallows.  They are HUGE!     Everyone who goes by has to stop and pick up a bag.  I overheard one lady telling her friend that her husband loved marshmallows but he liked them to set out and get really stale and crunchy and then he ate them!  Alrighty then.

   So, when you're bored and not selling glasses, watching & listening to people discuss the current displays is quite entertaining.

Just this and that

  My internal alarm clock seems to be set at six thirty or maybe it's Sweetie's as most of the time I wake up with her breathing over me telling me she needs to go out...........NOW!
   I've been so busy, working and moving at the same time that it would have been nice to sleep in a little this morning since I don't go into work until noon or at least I don't leave until around ten thirty.  But no, here I am, wide awake, sipping coffee and putting a load of laundry in.
   I was off on Friday and the land lady spent all day over here doing work on the outside.  She does all the landscaping and the yard work, and that is fine by me!  And Friday was also the first day that Haleigh came over to visit.  It was so nice to have her visit and then we went over to her house and had burgers on the grill! 
   So, things are still everywhere but I've spent the night over here four nights and I've slept like a baby every night.  The neighborhood is quite, at least I never hear anything.
    Monday is Matthew's birthday but I think we are having his birthday supper tonight.  I think they must have plans else where on Monday night. 
  This little house is so full of light!  I like that.  I hung a few pictures last night, and we still have got to get my dresser and the cedar chest over here.  And then I'll be really moved.

My Little House

I'm Home

Fianally I'm here. Matthew moved my bed and some other things and I can at least sleep here. Nothing's in its place but I'm off Friday. I am so tired, it is after midnight but I don't want to go to sleep, I just want to look at my little house.
I'm home.

AT LAST

The bad thing is it is also my long day at work. But my dear son gets off earlier than me tomorrow and he is going to move the heavy stuff and Amy is going to take some stuff over in her vehicle. I am determined to sleep there tomorrow. I am off Friday so I can get stuff put away then.
I took some stuff over tonight and unpacked the microwave and some dishes I had bought. I'll take pictures I promise!

I'm Just Thankful

Nothing much exciting today. Traffic moved well going and coming today to and from work. Customers were a little weird but not so much. Juat a pretty uneventful day which is a good thing. I'm chomping at the bit for the first to get here and the thing is I have to work from opening to closing on Wednesday. But we can get some stuff moved at night. And I'm off Friday.
I am so thankful to have a job again. I'm never ever letting this go. I'm hoping to be able to move to another store a little closer and maybe get back into management so I don't have to struggle so much financially but for now I'm just thankful.
I'm also thankful for my son and my DIL for their love and support for the last year and almost a half. If I'd not had a safe place to land and to heal I don't know where I'd be right now.

Life Is So Expensive

  Ok, I've got the electricity in my name, (a big deposit I have to pay, OUCH!), ordered the Direct TV, using the family and friends plan which got me and Matthew 100 bucks off our bills.  I've called Waste Management about garbage pick up, and changed my address.  And I did this all on line, I so love the Internet. I bought a $39 microwave from Walmart today and a broom and dust pan and a few odds and ends to set up housekeeping.  I'm trying hard to stretch my dollars as best I can.

   Haleigh and I just went to the house to check on the progress she made on the house today and it looks to me like all she has to do is clean up and get her tools out.  SO that is a good thing.  I've not heard from her at all.

   I watched the Emmy Awards and now I'm about ready for sleep. Haleigh's parents are out tonight and she is suppose to be in her room watching a movie but that's not happening at the moment.
Grandma's a pushover.

So,  Starting a new week but by next weekend I will be in my little house.

Poor Horse

   Matthew helps out at the rodeo every year and he enjoys it so.  He looks so handsome in his cowboy hat and boots.  He loves it and was excited for me to go tonight.  I love cowboys and horses and the barrel races and the bucking bulls.  Wouldn't you know it that tonight a horse broke his back and they had to put him down??  Why would that have to happen tonight?  I can't get him out of my mind and they didn't tell the crowd, they just hauled him off and the only reason I know is that Matthew had to tell me. 
  So I enjoyed the rodeo but my heart hurts for that beautiful bucking white horse.  When he fell, the cowboy riding him was the first one to him. 
   Tomorrow is Extreme Bull Riding and ESPN actually comes to Bremerton and it is on TV.  I think I'll skip it, in fact, don't tell Matthew but I might not ever go to another rodeo again.

  

My New Hobby

  While I was not working and going nuts I decided that I needed to learn something new . I decided I'd like to learn to knit.  My mother has crocheted for years and I even learned how to do that but I'd never really enjoyed it.  So, I bought yarn and some needles and a book and with that and the Internet, I learned to knit.  I got hung up on making dishcloths because they were quick and easy and the yarn for them wasn't too expensive so now I have dishcloths for my place.  I made Haleigh a few hats and a scarf but since I've started back to work my knitting has been set aside.  I think it is something that I will pick up again though maybe this winter and when I'm on my own.
   I'd like to knit my mother a shawl, she'd like that.  We'll see how it goes.  For now I have bunches of dishcloths.

The kids are busy at the Rodeo this week and I actually got home tonight before them.  Tomorrow is my lonnnnnng day as I work 9-8 without a Dr. there and all alone.  It makes for a very long day but somehow I get through it.  Since for now there is only two of us working, it is the only way we can get the weekends off if each of us work a long day once a week.  So that's ok.
  I'm going to the Rodeo Saturday night.  It is "Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night" to bring awareness to breast cancer and all the cowboys and helpers will wear pink shirts.  I don't have any cowgirl boots, but I can wear pink for sure!
  Anyway, my day at work was pretty good and I'm tired so to sleep I think I'll go! Not sure how I'm ever going to wait until the 1st of the month but it is coming pretty fast so I just have to hang on.


  

Back to work today after being off yesterday.  Today the Dr. is leaving a little bit early so my late afternoon until closing could be a little slow.  I like it better of course when the Dr. is booked and we are super busy but this little store is seldom really ever super busy. 
   Because I'm not the manager in this store and the manager is on maternity leave, I'm having a hard time not rearranging things, I was so used to being able to doing that.  The back room is pretty much a mess and they never even vacuumed very much.  I dug the vac out and cleaned it up and found bags for it and have  been cleaning more and more every night.    They seldom see their district manager so keeping the store as clean as I am used to keeping one is not a priority with them.  So that is all different.  Customer service is important to them though so we share that and for that I am glad.
   After I got the key to my house late afternoon yesterday, I waited until the land lady was on the ferry back to Seattle and I went to look at the house alone so I could really look.  She is still working on it so there are tools everywhere but I wanted to take it all in and find the light switches and look in the closets and well, just see it again.  It is really cute. I can hardly wait to be there!
  
 
  
  

"NOT AGAIN!"

  Poor Sweetie got really concerned when she saw me packing up stuff today.  The last time she saw me doing that we put her in a basket in a U haul and moved 3000 miles! 
    I think she'll like our little house.  We still have access to the park that she loves and even a small fenced in back yard for her to enjoy.

   I spent about an hour with my land lady today.  She does almost all the remodeling herself and she does a good job.  She is probably in her middle 40's.  She also has two sons.  One is off to college this year and the other is 13.  She lives in Seattle and is a hard working woman.  She owns 3 or 4 other houses here in Bremerton.  

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Everyday I go over this bridge, well they are twin bridges so I go over one on the way to work and the other on the way home. There is a toll but only for one way, thank goodness. Anyway, I have always loved bridges and this one is so pretty at sunset. It's my favorite part of the commute to work.
  

The Key to my Little House

  Well as it turns out, I am going to sign the lease today and get my key to the house but I can't really move in yet as she is doing finishing touches on the paint and the grout and fixing a door and stuff like that, but I can start moving somethings in starting this afternoon, so YAY!
   It was almost ten o'clock when I got home from work last night.  We close at eight and it takes me a little over an hour to drive home but the Dr. had a late patient.  It was ok, that happens and I still would rather work until closing than to drive through the five o'clock traffic.

The used Couch I found that we are picking up today.  I took this pic with my phone but it shows the colors.  It's a really nice couch for the price.

   Yesterday was the most beautiful Washington day.  They say it is days like that one that hook people and they move and then find out those days are few and sometimes far between.  No humidity, 70 degrees, little breeze, not a cloud in the sky.  And then the night was just as beautiful with a full moon and a sky full of stars.  It was breath taking.  
    Today I'm off and it is promised  be another beautiful day again.  So I'd better get started.  Haleigh is with me today as Amy just started a new Job today. 


  

Pure Torture

My land lady has put my move off from this weekend to the 1st.  Granted it is only a few days and she says it is because she decided to tile the laundry room floor and a door needs replacing, I am still tortured.  I am so excited to get there that it is pure torture to have to wait.  And the fact is that I'm not off then but I don't have much to move and it is what it is, but STILL...............UGH!
   My mom is sending me a box of kitchen gadgets so I'm excited about that. 
I am off tomorrow and Haleigh and I are going to try and get some of my stuff ready for the move so I'm excited about that.
  Matthew says this will be the easiest and cheapest move EVER!
SO, I'll take a deep breath and wait some more.
Oh, I'm going to a Rodeo Satuday night, excited about that too!

 

Going back to work with National Vision has really saved my life and for that I will be forever grateful to them. Right now I'm working in a store where the manager is on maturnity leave. After she gets back to work, the district manager says she can keep me busy between her stores and maybe an opening will come about and I can get back into management. Not that I miss that part of it, I'd much rather be a sales associate but I need the extra money to really live comfortably. Anyway, it will be what it will be and like I said, right now I'm just so thankful to have a job. I've so enjoyed meeting the new customers. The people in Lacey Washington are very nice. They seem to be happy, friendly folks and they all try to guess where I'm from. Most of them guess Texas or North Carolina, but never Georgia. And they all ask how I ended up here and they are really interested!
The store does not do the volume that the store I left behind did so there is only one other girl and me working while the manager is off. Her name is Shayna and she is only 21 but she and I have hit it off and she is just so good to work with and we compliment each other just great.
The Dr. is an older gentleman named Dr. Archer and he is such a sweet man with a good sence of humor and I really enjoy working with him too.
   So, my job is going very well with the only drawback being the commute but it is not so bad at all, I just leave early enough in case I get stuck in traffic.  I work mostly from noon to eight so that when I get off traffic is not so bad and it takes me a little over an hour to get home.  But it is an easy drive and for now I'm even enjoying it.
   And stay tuned for news on my big move to my own place coming soon.  I can't wait!

 

Starting from Scratch

It's Monday morning and that means I call my mother. But some Mondays she works and I'm suppose to call her cell. And that means sometimes she is able to answer and sometimes she can't. This morning she couldn't I guess as I tried three times and never got her.
Since I'm working now, we have a hard time with that sometimes. And for some reason I'm not allowed to just randomly call her, she has to give me a special time. Who knows!
I am counting the days until I get to move into my little house. The lady renting me the house called it "a darling little cottage" in the ad. It is kinda cute. I have to start from scratch with furniture as I left everything I had in Georgia. So I found a really good used couch that I hope is still there at good St.Vincent's today. And a little round dining room table at Goodwill. It is kinda fun.
And so now I must start getting ready to go to work. And it feels so good to say that.

I thought long and hard about just ditching this blog and starting a new one all together. I decided not to that because the journey to get where I've gotten is what this blog is all about.
The good news is that I have a job. I've gone back to work with the company I'd worked with in Ga. I'm working in a town called Lacey. I have fallen in love with the people in that town. And the second good news is I have my own little place, at least I will next weekend when I can move in. It is close enough for Haleigh to ride her bike over!
And so things are better for me. I love my job. It is what I'm good at and what I need to be doing. It is however a commute but sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
I've missed blogging. And now that I'm finding my way our of my "lost in time" period, I think I'm ready to start back on a regular basis.
So for now, that's it, a fresh start. And I'm ready.

On my Way to the Library.....

...............I applied for a job. On a whim the other day I applied for a library card online. I used to love going to the library but got away from it for one reason or another. So, yesterday the card comes and in the info that came with it there was a sentence down at the bottom that said, "Interested in working in the Library? We are always looking for good people, check our website out for openings." So I did and there is an opening in the very library here for a page. I read the qualifications and decided that everything I was trained in as far as retail was concerned, I could relate to this position. I just had to find a way to point that out to them.

So I put together the application package which included an application from the site, a resume and a cover letter. I took the opportunity to explain to them in the cover letter why I am the perfect candidate for their job and delivered it to them today. They will call back for interviews. This is only a part time job but I am desperate and will take anything at this point, plus I really would love to work in a library and maybe it would lead to full time. You never know. AND......I checked out two books. Which is a good thing, considering I'm back into reading and I don't have a job to afford to buy them.

Jiggity Jig, All the way Home

We went into Seattle to the market. Oh how I love to go to the market. Of course it was Sunday and it was Mother's Day so there were lots of people but that was ok. We still managed to see a lot of the shops and to buy good fresh organic veggies for a wonderful spring salad for supper. And it was yummy!

It was also the perfect day for the ferry ride. The mountains were beautiful, there were puffy white clouds in a big blue sky and the water was calm. We saw sea lions lying on the buoys but spotted nothing else much. It is always fun to watch the gulls as they chase the boat. And there were lots of sailboats out today. I saw one with a black sail! I've never seen that before, must have been pirates!

Anyway, it was a fun day. I love to see the street entertainers and all the different people you see in the city. We always walk by the very first Starbucks there was. There are bakeries sending out yummy smells of cinnamon. There are spice and tea stores. There a little shops full of old stuff you remember from your grandmother's days. Anything you can think of, you can find.

I hope your Mother's Day was a good one.

A Night at the Movies

Haleigh's parents went out for supper tonight so at the last minute Haleigh and I decided to try and make a movie that was showing at 7:05. This was at 6:48. Guess what? We made it. It was only was after we got home that her Mom realized that Haleigh had slipped her pants on backwards. I never noticed. We'd made her change her clothes before we left as she was in her Punky Brewster clothes.

We both like the movie, "How to Train you Dragon", it was cute and very action packed so it kept your attention for sure. We also had a big barrel of popcorn and big drinks and decided we were full and that ended up being our dinner.

And so here we are back safe at home, me watching Dateline in my room and Haleigh in bed and her parents watching TV in the living room. All is well.

Haleigh is amazed by teenage girls. It is funny to watch her observing them and listening to them. We had to stand in line with a few to use the restroom and she was just in a trance watching them laugh and talk and interact with each other. I think I sort of remember being like that too. I couldn't wait until I turned 13. I guess that is just the way it is, we can't wait to grow up.

At nine I had an older teenage cousin that I adored. She as 14 and had 6 brothers and no sisters which is why I would think she paid me any attention at all. I spent a lot of time with her. She painted my face with blue eye shadow and navy blue eyeliner and pink frosted lipstick. She rolled my long hair up on orange juice cans. She taught me how to do the twist and the mashed potato. She introduced me to the Sonny and Cher show. She was my idol for sure. It is sad we lost touch when my parents divorced like I lost a lot of my father's side of the family. She'd be almost 60 years old. I can't imagine her being that old.

Oh well, enough of memories. I think I'll call it a night. Good Night.

53 & 1 Day Old

Yesterday was my birthday. Three years ago I was really worried about turning 50 but now I'm used to being in my fifties. I'm an old hand at it you see. I'm a woman in my fifties. I can say that without cringing or anything. The sad thing is I feel all grown up. I don't think I ever felt all grown up until I turned 50. That's not entirely true. That little girl in me shows up every now and then, she's still there.
I got scented candles and a book and some dark chocolates. All my favorite things. I got bath stuff from my mother. I love that too. And we had chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese icing so I had a nice day.
If I can make it through the month of May I can make it through anything, so I'm on my way.
And of course I'm back to seriously looking for work which is not easy. But I have faith, something will come up, I just know it. I am due for something really wonderful and spectacular to happen so I am counting on it. I've been waiting a long time. I'm ready.

Cold Hands, Warm Heart

I had to go to the post office today to mail a mother's day package. Also to the drug store to pick up a Rx and then to the bank. On the way back I found a little park that I'd been to once before and sat by the water (in my car, it is still cold here) and read for a while. It is windy today but bright and sunny and the water was pretty as it waved and shimmered. It was nice.

We are having sloppy joes for dinner. We make our own sauce to try and reduce the sodium and we use turkey meat so maybe we are having Sloppy Janes. Either way, they are easy to make and Haleigh gets veggies she just doesn't know because we use low sodium V-8 Juice in them.

It is still so COLD here. I've been patient but I am now ready for warm weather. Right now, please. Seems like my feet and hands are always so cold! Last year I think it was warmer earlier.

May used to be my favorite month, not so much anymore. Did I already say that in a previous post? Sorry to repeat myself if I did.

I've read three books in the last two weeks and that is the most I've read in quite awhile. I'm glad as I've always gotten so much pleasure from reading. It would be nice to be able to read again so maybe this will be a lasting trend.

Amy has finished her show last weekend and will take a break for a little while I think. She did back to back shows and her voice about wore out.

Matthew has rediscovered The A Team, a TV show from his childhood and watches episodes almost nightly. Brings back memories for me when two little boys loved it.

Haleigh starts her rehearsals soon for her play. And we soon have a dance recital to attend and the end of school musical they do every year.

And that's the news here.

I joined an online group for parents of suicide victims. I'm not sure it is the place for me. I'm still reading through some of the posts and it is a little assuring that people have the same thoughts as me mostly. But instead of making me feel better, it really kind of depresses me more , I don't think I like it.

This weekend is Amy's last weekend to do "Cabaret". Her voice is about gone because the singing in this one is BIG and Brassy and she did do back to back shows. She went to the Dr. and he gave her pills to help protect her vocal chords so they won't be damaged.
It will seem strange to have her home on weekends, she's been doing this since Jan. I think, at least that is when she started rehearsals. She has had a good time but it will be good for her to
rest up.

Nothing much else going on, I have no big weekend plans. Last weekend I went to Seattle to a theater called The Fifth Avenue to see a play called "On the Town ". It was fun.
Happy Weekend!

Cooking and Reading

Well, let's see. Today I read and read and researched to death how to cook a round bottom roast. I didn't want a roast to cook to death as in a pot roast, I wanted a "roasted roast" to slice thin and have with corn on the cob, sweet potato fries and slaw. I got a little worried when I read that this cut of beef was tough and tasteless but I did find recipes where people did them all the time and just like I imagine it to be. It is cooking now, so we shall see.
I'm also in the middle of a book that is really good. It's called Summer's Child and I bought it on a whim at the grocery store the other day. Not sure I'd be able to read, it is always a risk of wasting my money. But I'm glad I bought it, it is good.
I've decided I really like cooking for people. For so long there I didn't have anyone to cook for. I'm going to miss doing that when I do get my own place. No fun to cook for just yourself.

Another Day

Tonight we had a special supper celebration for Haleigh who auditioned Saturday for "Cinderella" at a local community theater. Like mother like daughter. She is in the ensemble much to her dismay, she'd like to start at the top like she thinks her mother did. Her mother did not but it seems like to Haleigh she did.

I sent out a few resumes this afternoon. It would be nice just to have some interviews to go to. I just know things will happen as they are suppose to but with time on my hands I tend to think WAY too much. A friend of mine says I need to think, that I'm still healing but thinking causes me too much pain. I think I am going to have to have some help to get through some of the feelings I have. I'm going to give it a bit more time but I don't think my thoughts are moving in the right direction.

It doesn't help that May 22nd is coming. It will be two years since Jonathan died. It seems like just yesterday but the funny thing is the pain of his loss feels more raw now than ever. I guess the numbness has worn off. Grief is one of the strangest emotions I've ever experienced, it is unpredictable. It sneaks up on you just when you think you are handling things well. It
is unexplainable, you can't explain to someone who is not close to it too. It is lonely. It is hard. I don 't like it a bit but loss is a part of life sooner or later. But like they say, it is un-natural to have to lose one of your children.

Anyway, back to Haleigh. She wanted Spaghetti for dinner & so it was. I cooked and had it ready when she and her mom got back from dance class. She had fresh flowers on the table and real plates and the works! We had sparkling cider which I put on ice in a bucket and she asked me if that's how they did it in the old days. HAHA, very funny. I guess she thinks I lived before we had refrigerators. She thinks I'm quite elderly you know. And then for desert she and her mom went and got ice cream cup cakes from Stone Cold Creamery. Very sinful they are!!! She was cute, enjoyed herself immensely. I know she'll have fun doing the play. Can't wait to see it. So glad I'm here to see it.

And so, life goes on. Day after day, life goes on............... thank goodness.

Here I GO Again

Well, I took such a long time off from blogging, I'm not sure I still know how. Oh, well, I'll try. Writing has always helped me sort through things and that's what the blog does for me. I wasn't sure I'd blog again, and who knows, maybe I won't for a while after this one but I feel the need to write so here goes.
I'm so confused. Of course I've been confused most of my life but this confusion came to me quite unexpectedly and I can't seem to get over it. It bothers me. They say time heals all things but I am not sure I buy that.
People told me all the time how strong I was to get through that terrible year of 2008 but I did not come from it unscathed. And the question is, the big question I have is this, am I shutting myself down or can I not help it? Who is this person that looks like me but doesn't think like the old me or feel like the old me? Will I never be who I was and if not, who am I?
Ok, ok, I'll explain in more details.
NOTHING excited me, makes my heart go thump thump, makes me feel so happy I could burst. Sometimes I get close. Like back last winter when we saw the big gray whale right here. I almost get excited when I go to Seattle, I love the city and all the noises and people and all that is going on there but still, almost it gets me going, but not quite. I just need to FEEL! And there is the question, am I deliberately making myself not FEEL?
And I'm not sure my brain works like it used to. I seem to not ever be really thinking about things. I mean I am functioning. I do the things you do, laundry, cooking, grocery shopping, shopping for clothes and other things one needs. But I don't think much deeper.
I'm not sure what is going on with me.
Stay tuned.

Off to Work at Last I Go at Least for a little while

Ok, I finally got an interview and after much ado I got the job. And I am so grateful. Years ago I worked in an accounting office and prepared taxes and have somewhat kept up with the new laws as I've done my own and some of my friends and family member's taxes since then. Anyway, banking on that experience I applied for an opening for a tiny little accounting office here in town. She was a little Leary of me because the last time I did taxes for the public we did them by hand, no computers. And she's been burned before by people saying they knew what they were doing and then not even knowing what a 1040 form was or how to use a mouse. SO.......I was just honest and told her yes, it had been a while but that I just knew I could still do it. And so she's giving me a chance. It of course is just a seasonal job that will be over in April but I think it is a good stepping stone for a lot of reasons.
1. It gets me back into the work force kind of slow and easy.
2. I will meet new people which could even open doors to a permanent job.
3. If I do a good job for my boss I will now have a local person who will give me a reference because no one seems to be interest in calling my Georgia ones.
4. Preparing taxes is very good for one's mind and I need mine stimulated, lol.
And so.......I am happy and excited. Starting off at just a few days a week until tax season starts off and then away we'll go. And we won't come up for air until April 15th.
Love,
Robbin