How Do Working Moms Do It?

I think I say this every year, but I am going to say it again. I will be glad when these bunny parties are over. I enjoy doing them, but I do not like having to be away from the house everyday and having to be there at a certain time. If I had to go back to work, I would, but I LOVE being able to pick what time I need to be somewhere. I need my "normal" routine back -- the house is beginning to suffer!! I used to do it "all" as a single parent so I know I can do it. I must just be spoiled & set in my ways now...LOL!!

Party Time

Today was the first day of my yearly job! Bring on the Easter Bunny Parties! I am doing 15 of them this year. One down, fourteen to go! ;)

Work, Work, Work

I am working on "deChristmasing" the house. The real tree is undecorated and standing outside near the front door. I need to take it out of the stand and get it out to the road so the city mulchers can take care of it.

I also cleaned out our refrigerator this afternoon. If I didn't know any better I would think that baby was brand new from the looks of the inside. I must keep on top of wiping it out better than I think.

I have also been busy at work on my new project for 2009. It is called Project 365, and you guessed it that means I will take at least one picture a day to share with all of you. I am starting a new blog just for those images. I may add a word or two with the images, but for the most part it will just be an image I took that day. Not only will it be a quick way for me to look back on my year, but also (hopefully) improve my photography skills. That blog will be called Prized Pixels, and can be found at prizedpixels.blogspot.com. It will go "live" tomorrow sometime - I am still making a few tweaks and adding images from the first four days of the year. I will, of course, continue to write here!

Our Sub Girl

Olivia started her job Friday night! She is working again right now. So far she really likes it. In fact, she said it was FUN. Lets hope she continues to feel that way about having a job. :)

It's funny to see her with the calculator adding up her hours & figuring out how much her check will be. Last night, Daddy had to burst her bubble and remind her of Uncle Sam's portion. Welcome to the workin' world Miss Olivia!

Woohoo!!

Remember that orientation? It's happening right now!

Remember the plan for the new roof? It's happening right now!

We ended up going with barkwood for the color. After seeing, hickory on a couple homes we just didn't care for it. The contrast between the colors in the actual shingle were too great and it kind of looked like plaid or checkerboard up on the roof. It would probably would have looked find, but a roof color mistake is a bit tougher to fix than a paint color mistake. Not to mention a bit more costly.

So far they have the roof over the second story done (or nearly done). I am lovin' it so far. I will post before, during and after pictures once the project is completed. It looks to me like that could be as early as tomorrow.

Entering the Workforce

Olivia got the job! Her exact words when I asked her if she was excited were, "no I want money, but I don't want to have to work for it." I told her welcome to the "real world, honey"...LOL!! When I told my mom that, she said she's way too much like Josh. As if I didn't know that already...LOL!!

Another One Down

Olivia is done with her freshman year! I can't believe I am the parent of a sophomore! YIKES!

There was a schedule change for the end of the year due to the flooding in the area. The exams that were to be taken on Monday were canceled. Tuesday's & Wednesday's exams were held as scheduled. Today was to be the last day of school, but with high water still near some schools the last day was changed to yesterday.

Students were able to Monday's canceled exams to try to improve their grades, but a poor grade on the exam would not hurt them. One of Olivia's canceled exams was for a class in which she had been struggling and the other she was close to an A so she took them both. She did well on those exams and improved those grades. For one class she was the only one to take the exam and one of three in the other. Yes, it took some nagging from mom & dad to get her to take those exams, but she is glad she did.

To celebrate Olivia & I went out to lunch. Then we went off to McDonald's & Cousins where she put in job applications. I think she has a pretty good shot at the McDonald's job because of her "connections". As most of you know Bob & I both worked there, and I still do two weeks per year to do those bunny parties.

Getting Back to Normal

Today was my last days of parties, and I am glad they are over. I am not used to having to be out of the house at a certain time every morning or having to take care of the house, family, bills, etc. while working. I know if it was a regular part of my life I would adapt, but I am extremely thankful to be able to be a SAHM and set my own schedule.

Workin' Once Again

It's time once again for my annual two week stint back at McDonald's. Today were the first two of twelve parties. In past years, I only did one party per day, but have added a second party on a few of them this year.

I'll say it again: I have no desire to go back on a regular basis, but it is fun to get out and help for a couple weeks each year.

Seven Down One to Go

Tomorrow is the last day of the Easter parties for the year. I will be glad when they are over. I am so tired of Easter Bunny Says (Simon Says), the Easter Bunny Pokey (Hokey Pokey), and the Bunny Hop. If I see another Easter Bunny after tomorrow, I swear I will go cRaZy...lol! That is, of course, if I have any sanity left after the party with 39 kids between the ages of 3 and 5! UGH -- 39!

Back to "Work"

You are probably wondering why an Easter bunny and McDonald's are in the same picture...lol!

The franchisee I worked for almost 9 years ago has a program where preschoolers and other young children come to a restaurant in their area for a little field trip. The children usually range in age from 3-6. They eat either breakfast or lunch, play a couple games, have their picture taken with the Easter bunny (or Santa), do an art project, and have a mini-tour of McDonald's behind the scenes.

I spent a good portion of my McDonald's career doing these parties (and as an assistant manager). I also ran similar parties which were open to the public for Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. I can't even count how many of these parties I did in the nearly 10 years I worked for McDonald's. I don't even want to think of what the number would be if I added in all the birthday parties. I think I could do them in my sleep...LOL!

So naturally, when the stores were having trouble staffing the stores for regular business let alone these special parties, I came to mind as a helper. While I have no desire to go back there on a regular basis, it is fun to get out and help for a couple weeks each year.

I won't be around much in morning Monday - Thursday this week or next.