Life’s too short...to never sleep in a treehouse! 8/27 TR is up! Link in siggie

[eandesmom]

Which is incredibly funny to me, cuz there ain't one blessed thing "free" about it!!! You aren't even free to drive on it how you'd like to, and have to pay out the nose in taxes for it!

Hey, C. tried to find you on FB this AM, no such luck. New idea came to mind re. journal pages. Wanted to bounce them off you...

So so true my friend. At least in WA we don't have any tollways....

I was WIPED out after that interview yesterday (pathetic huh) and slammed with kid homework. We ordered calzones, shared the one sad lonely beer in the house and watched a lot of dancing. Yes. We are dance tv reality show junkies. Last nights agenda was So You Think You Can Dance...which we really enjoyed followed by the DWTS results show. Which we aren't that into this season though I get a kick out of Kelly Osbourne and Donny Osmond.

No energy for DIS or FB. I'm currently fueling myself with coffee and gearing up for the mother of all follow up notes.

Or not.

I'm around this morning though if you are still up!

I thought it was high time I made my way over here. Truth be told, I'm more of a trip report junkie than a pre-trip report gal. I have a hard enough time waiting for my own trips to happen never mind others so I went through your Fort Wilderness report first.

Really enjoy your writing style. Thanks for the links so us late arrivals can keep up.

Good Luck with the new job/career opportunity. After the birth of my third child I realized my current career didn't work anymore and had to do some soul searching (fueled by our financial needs).

Although I am an east coast (okay central and eastern inland) gal two of my BFF's live out in BC and I have been lucky enough to visit them many times. It is beautiful in the west. Though about making the move out there many times. Until we had kids. Than the though of leaving family made that move seem unpalatable after that.

And likewise on the writing style. I'm looking forward to you new TR when you get it started. Those darn financial needs...they do dictate things at times huh. Not to mention help paying for Disney.

It's funny, PTR's and TR's are such different animals and my fist PTR was an absolute bust. Lurking on a lot of TR's, posting on them and then some PTR's really got me into the PTR mood. I was intimidated by the length of some (Kathy....Liesa...Jordan) but once I got past that was so glad I did!

Nothing like a good TR though and I thoroughly enjoyed yours! I'm impressed you waded all the way through the FW trip and am thrilled to have you here. I can relate to family anchoring you. I grew up here but lived in Chicago for 10 years and once I was pregnant with Eric I realized I HAD to get back here, I could not be that far away from my family with two little boys! Foreshadowing I'm sure, I think I knew then I couldn't count on their dad to stay around but at any rate the move was made and I can't imagine living elsewhere now. There are a lot of cities I love, places I could be happy and many many I want to visit. Only one I want to raise my family in.

I've never been to Toronto, closest I've been would be waving at Windsor from downtown Detroit but I Calgary and Montreal! Calgary isn't exactly east mind you but oh it's pretty there!

 

[eandesmom]

First things first.

FIL update

He is asking the doctor for some alternative ways (other than surgery) to determine if the tumor is cancer or not. Maybe a needle biopsy? He is determined to not have his lung removed or any part of it. frankly we think this is crazy and completely unrealistic and are discouraged as it seemed like he was taking steps forward and is now going backwards. He is, at least, talking to the doctor so I guess that’s something.

Interview update.

I have one word for this.

INTENSE

I was SO wiped out afterwards I just wanted to go to bed! I'd planned to head straight to the gym but 1.5 hours of that and my brain HURT!



Pathetic huh.

It’s an interesting situation. They approached me, and moved very quickly on it as you know. Typically I would expect a pre-screen interview with HR on the phone. I was expecting that yesterday or possibly a panel type thing with the hiring manager and HR.

Nope.

Just me and the hiring manager 1:1

Make that just me getting GRILLED by the hiring manager.

Bear in mind that I knew VERY little about the job. And that what the job is, is actually quite different than what I thought it would be. For the most part, in a very very good, cool way. But it’s a BIG job. HUGE. Frankly, intimidates the heck out of me. I get why they are interested in me now and am immensely flattered. However. I’m not sure their expectations of the position are remotely realistic. I need to get back to them with a “plan” as to how I’d accomplish the task set before me. I’m not sure they’ll like the timeframe on the answer. Which may kill it right there. But I have to be honest and real and not blow smoke. It’s an incredible opportunity and I do have the right contacts to get the job done. Just not in the timeframe they want. Or at least I don’t think so. In this economy. And of course I do subscribe to the underpromise overdeliver school of thought.

I am a bit concerned about the stress level this job could induce. On the flip side ohh…parts of it would be so much FUN, so fascinating, creative and just COOL! I would really get to use the jack of all trades aspect of my career thus far in such a potentially amazing way.

Grilling aside. I liked the hiring manager. A lot.

Meeting with one of her counterparts that the position would work with as well, tomorrow. It was supposed to be today and they needed to reschedule. I am grateful for the day to regroup and really think about an action plan. I need to be careful not to let fear (of failure at the lofty task) turn me away from this but on the flip side, I have some concerns.

Enough of that!

My “grand” post will have to wait yet again. Because something exciting happened this week.

Not as exciting as say…

A PIN Code

Oh wait. I got one of those yesterday! But not the one I wanted. Can you believe it? I am ill. Two PIN codes this year and I can’t use either one. The first one was the FD one that went all the way to Christmas (that ended up going out to the general public) and yesterdays was for an amazing price for a value room for 2 different time periods in Nov/Dec.

Some day I’ll get one I can use.

Back to my exciting news. Thrilling to me!

My mailbox exploded:

The ebay shopping gods somehow coordinated all of my auction items so that everything arrived at once. My new itty bitty Tink, Kendall’s pink Tink, Pooh.

But more importantly, something truly special.

Something I plan to use now, for the greater good. Not that Pooh won’t get used now but…it’s different, you’ll see.

Something made with love.

By my favorite

Who just started her TR. Oh TK how we’ve missed thee!

Check it out!

Now this shirt, which may sound uh, sacrilegious to some, is not to actually wear at Disney. Why you ask? Well I’ll tell you.

It is the official GET THY BEHIND TO THE GYM WINTER WORKOUT SHIRT. Which gosh, if I have to be in a downtown office 5 days a week is going to be more of a challenge than it is at this moment in time. I’ll need anything to motivate me.

Won’t it be cute with black yoga pants? Can’t you just see me pumping iron? It makes me smile. And making me smile in the depths of winter is key to getting my posterior out of my office chair, away from the computer (or the dishes, laundry, cooking, soccergaming and kid-a-shuffling) and to the gym. Especially key when it’s dark out. I don’t like driving in the dark. If I go back to a FT in-office job (I telecommute now), it will be nighttime workouts during the week, or no workout at all. I have eye issues. I will cop out and blame the eyes when I really really shouldn’t. I can drive in the dark. I can drive in the rain. I just don’t like to. It hurts. It’s draining. But I need to.

Mickey Motivator!!!!!!!

Better yet it has arrived in time to wear to tomorrow nights Zumba class. The instructor has promised Halloween craziness. Not sure how I’m going to sneak out as Thursdays are crazy here but she sucked me in last week when she had us do Thriller. I haven’t laughed that hard, during a workout, in years. Note the Halloweeeny colors!

I will probably wear this to Eric’s class party and then my Jack shirt to my folks bash. Much as I love Mickey and he is perfectly sized for the gym, he is a bit boxy for everyday wear (out of the house). He is a perfect lounge around the house shirt as demonstrated last night…yes I am impatient, I get new things, I wear them NOW!

Evan is coveting Mickey in a very big way.

I’ll post bag pictures another time (giving the guys a break here, Liesa too) but suffice to say….

The new itty bitty Tink is PERFECT. In every way. Shape, size, look, weight. Where it hits, how it feels, straps not sliding off of the shoulder…
PURRRRRRRREC T!

If I had to nitpick…and I do, it’s my nature (though I truly try to spare the rest of my family from it) now that it’s in the smaller size I do notice that my itty bitty binder is bronze…whereas the fabulous pleather (who would have thought those 2 words would go together) straps are gold , they are thus not, an exact match. Close enough methinks. I can fit a big glasses case, binder, phone, camera, gloss, wallet and still add in a bottle of water or sunscreen. Probably not a mister fan though. It’s like the clown car of purses!

Now the mind turns to a matching tie-dye tank…
Oh my.

The detailing on Kendall’s pink tink doesn’t show well in pics but it is flat out adorable (especially for $9.99) and Pooh, well, Pooh will be worn. A lot. In fact I’m wearing it now. I may have to share the Pooh Shirt story before the grand update!

In the meantime, I just realized I have my dinner club at my house next Monday night and I better figure out a darn menu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And send out a reminder email.

Next....A Blustery Day

 

[creativeamanda]

That shirt is fantastic, and the EXACT SAME COLORS my ds wants! TK, you did good, hon--you did good.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

So it sounds like your interview went rather well......if you were tired you must have been there for a while... and you must of put your all in to it...

It sounds like you definitely had potential but don't sign on for anything that you know has unreasonable expectations up front...you will be very unhappy...if it's something that you like...negotiate with them to change the job so the expectations are more realistic...

I'm sorry you FIL is being stubborn...that is one frustrating situation that everyone is in......


I love your shirt...how cute is that...and very inspirational...I need some inspiration...hmm...i know...I'm going to post some photos of those skinny little French women up on my bulletin board...if that doesn't get me off my butt...I don't know what will....

I had to laugh when I read your brain hurts......I mean I'm sorry that your brain hurts but I totally get it...my brain has been hurtin recently too......I'm sorry

but you have all your goodies in the mail today to cheer you a little bit

 

[eandesmom]

That shirt is fantastic, and the EXACT SAME COLORS my ds wants! TK, you did good, hon--you did good.

She did didn't she! I love the quality of the shirt and the over-stitching on the neck, gives it that retro feel... itsa good-un!

So it sounds like your interview went rather well......if you were tired you must have been there for a while... and you must of put your all in to it...

It sounds like you definitely had potential but don't sign on for anything that you know has unreasonable expectations up front...you will be very unhappy...if it's something that you like...negotiate with them to change the job so the expectations are more realistic...

I'm sorry you FIL is being stubborn...that is one frustrating situation that everyone is in......


I love your shirt...how cute is that...and very inspirational...I need some inspiration...hmm...i know...I'm going to post some photos of those skinny little French women up on my bulletin board...if that doesn't get me off my butt...I don't know what will....

I had to laugh when I read your brain hurts......I mean I'm sorry that your brain hurts but I totally get it...my brain has been hurtin recently too......I'm sorry

but you have all your goodies in the mail today to cheer you a little bit

Well? For the most part I think so. Part of me feels deliberately blindsided and grilled, she knew darn well I was operating on limited info. I don't think she liked (though she "said' she appreciated) that I wouldn't make a prediction/commitment based on just learned info off the top of my head. I was there for about an hour and a half. If they are interested in me, after the one tomorrow, that is exactly my plan. I'm not big on deliberately setting myself up for failure, great opportunity or not.

Ah yes...

Zeee leetle skinny french women. In cigarette pants with a goblet of red wine. I can see that as being motivational!

My brain feels better today, got the dreaded follow up note done, Zumba'd and then ate a very unhealthy lunch. Funny though, I was talking to a friend about the oppty and got that chest pressure stress feeling again. That is NOT a good sign. Regardless of how much I need a new job! NO comment back yet from the dreaded follow up note so perhaps I bombed that after all. And you know what? If I did, that's ok. They might be smoking crack with the kinds of numbers they were tossing at me.

Not sure they grasp that it's a recession.

Jeff was pretty great about it. His first comment was "but that is SO up your alley". To which I responded, yeah, that's what everyone thinks and it's what I usually get roped into doing but I don't know that it's what I WANT to do! Which he got (thankfully).

And that frankly I think people think I'm better at it than I really am and keeping up that impression is rather draining.

 

[TarzansKat]

Okay, I just caught up.

The abridged version of my comments.

My prayers are with your family, especially your father in law.

Happy Birthday, Taylor! And my goodness, I don't even know him, but doesn't he look so grown up now??? YIKES!

I am LOVIN' all the park bags/wallets. There was one Tink one that really struck me.

Your DISigns are amazing. I love everything you're planning for your binder, fantastic.

I'm SO glad you like your shirt. And glad that it fits good. I know we went back and forth a little, so I'm glad to know you have it, and you like it. And I'm inspired that it inspires you to work out! I seriously need to get back to the gym, I always get into a rut when I come home from my Disney vacation.

 

[Symans3honeybees]

I have just caught up with 33 pages of great read. It is like a good novel that once you start reading it, you can't never put it down. Thank you.

 

[jordanyosh]

That shirt is awesome. If we were back in the 70s or early 80s, I'd say there was some serious drug use that went into making that shirt

I'm glad your interview went...well. I was praying about it yesterday. Probably AFTER your interview though

Good luck with making an action plan!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

First of all

Camille!

I am thrilled to have you here. The Biscuit is Great, is he not! I can only hope to aspire to the sheer entertainment value he offers. He is far funnier to be sure. And anyone on my PTR not reading the Great Biscuits, I tell you, you are missing out! For some reason the Northwest just does not lend itself to the wonderful expressions of the south and Texas is of course, it's own country!

Texas is definitely a culture unto itself.

I’ll post bag pictures another time (giving the guys a break here, Liesa too)

Why do I suddenly have the overwhelming urge to moan "Thanks for noticing me?"

Great life update! Good luck on the next interview. Sounds like it is going to be a pretty cool opportunity. Can’t wait to see where it leads you!

 

[eandesmom]

Okay, I just caught up.

The abridged version of my comments.

My prayers are with your family, especially your father in law.

Happy Birthday, Taylor! And my goodness, I don't even know him, but doesn't he look so grown up now??? YIKES!

I am LOVIN' all the park bags/wallets. There was one Tink one that really struck me.

Your DISigns are amazing. I love everything you're planning for your binder, fantastic.

I'm SO glad you like your shirt. And glad that it fits good. I know we went back and forth a little, so I'm glad to know you have it, and you like it. And I'm inspired that it inspires you to work out! I seriously need to get back to the gym, I always get into a rut when I come home from my Disney vacation.

Thank you for the prayers, they mean a lot. Taylor. Can you believe it? He is such a great kid but boy at times I look at him and go WOW, he's not a kid! I actually rather like his fedora thing, goes beautifully with the acoustic (he's officially in a band that is playing places now... ) but the mustache has gotta go! Cannot stand it. It's like DUDE you finally got the skin cleared up, braces off and now you are covering it all up?



Seriously though folks, if you've not heard Rodrigo y Gabriela's version of Stairway To Heaven you must take a listen. Just scroll down, it's about the 5th song on the list or so. Sigh.

http://www.rodgab.com/look_music.html

If you want to know what my happy place sounds like.

Listen.

Tay is writing a lot more of his own stuff these days and it's rather dreamy....

And then he says stuff like "cool" with a big dopey grin when we tell him we are going back to Disney. The kid is still in there thank goodness.

The shirt is perfect for the gym. The other probably would have been fine too and better for non gym but I do think this is better for the gym. And looks cute with skinny jeans and boots if I do say so myself. And I do.

I have just caught up with 33 pages of great read. It is like a good novel that once you start reading it, you can't never put it down. Thank you.

Oh my goodness, wow, thank you! That's about the highest compliment I can imagine.

And

​

I'm thrilled to have you here!

That shirt is awesome. If we were back in the 70s or early 80s, I'd say there was some serious drug use that went into making that shirt

I'm glad your interview went...well. I was praying about it yesterday. Probably AFTER your interview though

Good luck with making an action plan!

I'm positive those prayers helped my brain STOP hurting (that and the iced lowfat coconut mocha...something about caffeine and sugar, this from a girl who takes her coffee black 99.9% of the time) and helped me write the dreaded follow up note.

AND you inspired the calzone order which completed the healing process. Way to lift me up!

I just got a note from the recruiter who has "some good follow up info" for me and will get it to me later today so I have it before the interview tomorrow. Huh. Wonder what that means.

LOL on the shirt!

I'll have you know what at my women's retreat (aka Girl Scout Camp) we do tie dye. Well my SIL did, I did not attempt.

NO drugs.

Of course there was an incident of the 6 of us "happening" to bid on the one silent auction item that was a collection of airplane sized bottles of all kinds of things, including tokillya. And then my mothers friends wanting "in" on it! It was a dry camp. Really. Still. Those bottles made their way around our camp chairs out by the beach...by magic. And before that, up to the dinner table and into the lemonade and raspberry ice tea. Which was a good thing since the kitchen was running, oh I don't know, an HOUR behind?

What can I say. I am my fathers daughter. Pints for Jesus!

Maybe next year I'll be inspired enough to try tie dye. Pretty sure she did it before the incident but you never know!

Our dear TK however, I am quite confident, is far far better behaved.

I swear stuff like that, the older I get, the funnier it is. Right up there with jello shots at the PTA convention banquet.

Officially crossing into overshare mode once again...........

Texas is definitely a culture unto itself.

Why do I suddenly have the overwhelming urge to moan "Thanks for noticing me?"

Great life update! Good luck on the next interview. Sounds like it is going to be a pretty cool opportunity. Can’t wait to see where it leads you!

You are always noticed! And not my only male reader so I think y'all deserve a break. We've got MONTHS of shopping still to do!

Yes, Texas is. I dated a Texan once. Still kind of miss that drawl. Shhh. Don't tell Jeff!

'Nuff said.

Thanks...stay tuned! I can't wait to see where it leads

 

[jordanyosh]

I'm positive those prayers helped my brain STOP hurting (that and the iced lowfat coconut mocha...something about caffeine and sugar, this from a girl who takes her coffee black 99.9% of the time) and helped me write the dreaded follow up note.

AND you inspired the calzone order which completed the healing process. Way to lift me up!

I just got a note from the recruiter who has "some good follow up info" for me and will get it to me later today so I have it before the interview tomorrow. Huh. Wonder what that means.

LOL on the shirt!

I'll have you know what at my women's retreat (aka Girl Scout Camp) we do tie dye. Well my SIL did, I did not attempt.

NO drugs.

Of course there was an incident of the 6 of us "happening" to bid on the one silent auction item that was a collection of airplane sized bottles of all kinds of things, including tokillya. And then my mothers friends wanting "in" on it! It was a dry camp. Really. Still. Those bottles made their way around our camp chairs out by the beach...by magic. And before that, up to the dinner table and into the lemonade and raspberry ice tea. Which was a good thing since the kitchen was running, oh I don't know, an HOUR behind?

What can I say. I am my fathers daughter. Pints for Jesus!

Maybe next year I'll be inspired enough to try tie dye. Pretty sure she did it before the incident but you never know!

Our dear TK however, I am quite confident, is far far better behaved.

I swear stuff like that, the older I get, the funnier it is. Right up there with jello shots at the PTA convention banquet.

Officially crossing into overshare mode once again...........

Okay those stories are sooo funny

I remember distinctly 2 dry weddings where my friends and I brought airline bottles and proceeded to drink away. I think one of my friends spiked the punch....

 

[eandesmom]

Okay those stories are sooo funny

I remember distinctly 2 dry weddings where my friends and I brought airline bottles and proceeded to drink away. I think one of my friends spiked the punch....

Ah the good old days of "cake and nuts" kinds of receptions.....

I always thought it was a grand thing that more often than not, those were the weddings that the bride would not see the groom before the ceremony and thus there were would be a decent "intermission" between the ceremony and the reception.

Which allowed for blessed sustenance.

Mints are not a food group.

I can truly say I've never spiked the punch.

My mothers water bottle?

Well now there's another story.

 

[TarzansKat]

That shirt is fantastic, and the EXACT SAME COLORS my ds wants! TK, you did good, hon--you did good.

Thank you!

That shirt is awesome. If we were back in the 70s or early 80s, I'd say there was some serious drug use that went into making that shirt

He-ey.

Thank you for the prayers, they mean a lot. Taylor. Can you believe it? He is such a great kid but boy at times I look at him and go WOW, he's not a kid! I actually rather like his fedora thing, goes beautifully with the acoustic (he's officially in a band that is playing places now... ) but the mustache has gotta go! Cannot stand it. It's like DUDE you finally got the skin cleared up, braces off and now you are covering it all up?

I cannot believe how grown up he looks, I really can't. Awesome on the band gigs. Good for him.

And then he says stuff like "cool" with a big dopey grin when we tell him we are going back to Disney. The kid is still in there thank goodness.

Some of us refuse to grow up.

Still.

Even though we just turned thirty.

:::ahem:::

The shirt is perfect for the gym. The other probably would have been fine too and better for non gym but I do think this is better for the gym. And looks cute with skinny jeans and boots if I do say so myself. And I do.

You go girl!

 

[eandesmom]

Some of us refuse to grow up.

Still.

Even though we just turned thirty.

:::ahem:::

Growing up is overrated

 

[TarzansKat]

Growing up is overrated

Amen.

 

[creativeamanda]

Growing up is overrated

Growing old is a fact of life.


Growing up is optional.

 

[jordanyosh]

Ah the good old days of "cake and nuts" kinds of receptions.....

I always thought it was a grand thing that more often than not, those were the weddings that the bride would not see the groom before the ceremony and thus there were would be a decent "intermission" between the ceremony and the reception.

Which allowed for blessed sustenance.

Mints are not a food group.

I can truly say I've never spiked the punch.

My mothers water bottle?

Well now there's another story.

My dad has never had alcohol EVER neither has my mom. At my brother's wedding, they had punch and it was labeled Sangria Punch. My dad asked what Sangria was, I said it's spanish for fruit..... Needless to say, I got the evil eye after he took a big sip.....

 

[Lady Lallie]

I love your new gym shirt! Super cute. Maybe I need something like that to motivate myself to work out.

I hear ya on the job interview thing. I've been debating looking for a new job and it's such a process and overwhelming and you doubt yourself and lots of other fun emotions.

 

[eandesmom]

Growing old is a fact of life.


Growing up is optional.

That's perfect!

Ok, I can deal with the growing old (don't get much choice do we?)

I choose not grow up.

Probably why the emails tonight from the recruiter and the hiring manager gave me a headache. Very nice emails mind you. They liked me. But tomorrow's guy will grill me. So they gave me tips etc. Very sweet.

But.

UGH.

My dad has never had alcohol EVER neither has my mom. At my brother's wedding, they had punch and it was labeled Sangria Punch. My dad asked what Sangria was, I said it's spanish for fruit..... Needless to say, I got the evil eye after he took a big sip.....

NEVER?

Wow. My mom is not a big drinker but does like a glass of wine and the occasional G&T. She was well aware of the water bottle incident before she took the sip and was highly amused by the whole thing.

Spanish for fruit



I think it's Spanish for hangover.

Worst of my LIFE.

Catching the slow train from Madrid to Barcelona, not having enough money to take the fast train (and not wanting to exchange more...long before the Euro). Was trying to get to Nice but ended up having to stay in Barcelona for one night.

Picture this.

• Up all night in Madrid.
  
• Sangria.
  
• Slow train.
  
• 8 hours.
  
• The milk truck. I swear it stopped every 20 minutes.
  
• Only thing to eat on the train was....
  
• Jamon. A dry spanish cured ham which may well be famous but I cannot for the life of me fathom why. I truly believe the dog rawhide chew toys are based on...Jamon. I am sure there are lovely types of it, cured beautifully, sliced thin and just delicious ala proscuitto. This however, was not that. This was cheap filler food. Or at least I think that's the idea. Delicacy, my posterior. Think jerky with no flavor. Oh wait, the flavor of a pork rind...with the texutre of jerky. Except dried out rock hard jerky. Heck, just give me a salt lick.
  
• Shared car.
  
• Red Vinyl Banquettes.
  
• 110 million degrees with no breeze.
  
• Windows that didn't fully open.Meaning you sweat like well, a jamon, and thanks to the vinyl it just looks like you had an accident.
  
• Did I mention that they were playing the Bee Gee's the ENTIRE 8 hours?

I lost my loving feeling for Sangria then and there. I was NOT Stayin' Alive.

It still gives me a headache. From the first sip. Purely psychological I'm sure.

Ah...college....backpacking through Europe...the things I have to look forward to surviving when my children go. Sometimes too much knowledge is NOT a good thing.

 

[jordanyosh]

for the train and jamon
because of your puns
for your stories.