get a life?

I am writing this in anticipation of the month of January. I have mentioned my little 3 to 6 pm job each afternoon, and now I am planning to go to work full time in 2008. But first, I'll beef up my skills and my resume, and research what kind of job I want. I love working with kids...maybe I'll look into working with younger kids or something. Starting January 3rd I'll be taking computer classes at the local state university from 9 to 3, then heading off to work. Not sure when I'll find time to breathe, much less write. Part of the program is kind of an internship or "job shadowing" as they call it. That could be fun.
Speaking of fun, I'll be on the same campus as my beloved son-most of his classes are on the opposite side of the campus, so we may not see much of each other, but I can try...I just know the dear boy is happily anticipating Mom's presence on campus!

Christmas morning

My 16 year old just informed me he wants to sleep in on Christmas morning. Oh my heart! It's not right, just not right! He and his friend went on to reminisce on the "good old days", when they could hardly sleep on Christmas eve, but that's all over now-they know the stuff will be there at 11 am just like it is there at 5 am. Sleep is more important. I think I'm putting the dog in his room-no later than 6 am, for sure-then I think I'll call his friend's house and have his parents rouse him up. It's only right...we'll call it pay back.

parking spots

D [who took me to see the Nutcracker] works with my #2 brother in a building about a block from the theater-so when we parked in the building's secured parking, I asked to see my brother's parking place. I was shocked to find out he doesn't have one! Someone as important as my brother, and no reserved parking spot...shocker. I told D that she might be able to convince ME that my brother didn't have his own space, but no one could ever convince my mother of that. As far as she is concerned, all of her kids run the places they work at, or they should. Sure enough, I told Mother that brother doesn't have his name on a parking spot-and she ignored me. She started some trouble by telling brother #1 all about the alleged parking spot, so he went out and got his own personalized space. We are all relieved that he was not caught...I guess the black sweats and face mask were good enough cover. Not sure what color spray paint he used...but I'm certain he used his best handwriting.
When brother #3 heard about #1's parking spot, he had his own story to tell. He was so shocked and surprised when his boss offered him a reserved parking space, he turned it down. He's sorry now, but it does give him a one up on his brothers-he's soooo good, he was offered a spot but he didn't even take it!
Then there is me-the rose among the thorns. What I was given, when I started my job was a map of the parking lot with 90% of the spaces blocked out-kind of like a reverse reserved parking place, you know? At least I know where I CAN'T park!

A few weeks ago I had a nice holiday surprise-an unexpected invitation to the Nutcracker ballet. Seems a friend[D] had 4 tickets and her husband had decided he wasn't going-unless they served beer-which seemed unlikely, it being a cultural thing and all. So, I had two hours to leave the scouts' fundraising booth[we were selling wreaths and decorations for our spring trip], get cleaned up and back down the hill to my friend's house. You bet I did it, with time to spare. The fun began almost immediately, as we headed out the door to the car and D's daughter mentioned to her boyfriend that it was a BALLET we were headed to-such a look on his face! To his credit, he did go on and get into the car anyway.
The ballet was enjoyable and the historical theater was a treat to see. There was a little girl in our section with handfuls of bling-sometimes she wore it, sometimes she had it all in her hands and played with it. At one point, she had to be reined in because she was dancing in her seat, following the movements of the sugar plum fairies. I figured she was part of the entertainment. Oh, and by the way, Dave, they do serve beer at the ballet!