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

[eandesmom]

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.

Whatever it takes. I did wear Belle to the gym last week. It made me happy.

I say go for it! In happy motivational colors....which mine actually isn't mind you, he's a bit dark and wintery but that's what I wanted.

Breathe in the pretty colors...breathe out the bad.

• orange
  
• yellow
  
• periwinkle
  
• lavender
  
• sage green

buh bye...

• puce

and anything neon

I'm finally getting the Zumba moves down (at least in the one main class). Someone actually asked me if I'd taken dance before...they thought I had "rythym".



NOT!

But. I finally sort of, kind of, shimmied! I've been shimmy challenged. It felt GREAT!

Mickey motivated me even though I wasn't wearing him!

Ugh ugh and triple ugh on the interview.

Dreading tomorrow. Pathetic huh. Part of me, doubts ME and the other part just goes...

They are smoking crack. And I've been there before. Unrealistic goals and numbers, setting people up for failure and then they wonder why the company struggles.

In all fairness I can't say that's the situation here but it is the 3rd agency I've talked to that had lofty goals like this (though they are by far the most insane I've heard) and lord knows my previous company did. And for those of you know know where I was....you know how well that turned out for them.

Not a one comes even close to hitting that. I can't even excuse these guys for trying to hit a number for "the street".

I am rather good at what I do. I do bring in big numbers. But I mean seriously folks.

100% growth YOY?

500% in 2 years?

Give me a break! I am not a miracle worker and besides...that's actually VERY unhealthy growth. 20% is healthy. Smart. Sustainable. 50% looks great on paper but it's not sustainable. More than that and well, I think they are insane. Not to mention that's when things break down. You grow like that and I don't care how good your support system is, it can't handle it.

Humpty Dumpty in spades. They WILL fall down.

Can you say...Arrogant?

Oh my. Apparently I needed to vent!

sorry about that.

It is a process. It does require that you put on your battle armor. That said, looking while you are employed is always a better situation, it does put you (relatively) in a position of strength. Which is the tactic I am taking here. For me to consider giving up my situation now (which granted is paying squat at the moment lol) which lets me telecommute, take my kids where they need to be, when they need to be there, volunteer, workout etc BUT provides no financial security or backup, it has to make sense.

Right now, cool factor aside, I'm not sure this does.

They need to sell me. I want the security, we need it, don't get me wrong but sometimes the price is too high.

 

[All7OfUs]

Mine too, clearly NOT enough coffee yet!! Sangria- Two memories: The birthday party of a Dutch student who came to do her internship with us. Coupled Sangria with Settlers; I lost.

The Hoop de Doo. I mentioned posting a hilarious story on my PTR about last years hoedown. Let's just say it involved Sangria and the bathroom.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Growing old is a fact of life.


Growing up is optional.

Love it! I don't wanna grow up!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

There's nothing like working for yourself instead of working to make someone else rich!

The sangria memories made my head hurt!

Love your gym shirt. Maybe I should wear a disney shirt to help me get back into the gym after a 2 month break. I have to get back - I'm already paying for it..... (not to mention the 10 lbs I gained in Boise).

 

[eandesmom]

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

Mine too, clearly NOT enough coffee yet!! Sangria- Two memories: The birthday party of a Dutch student who came to do her internship with us. Coupled Sangria with Settlers; I lost.

The Hoop de Doo. I mentioned posting a hilarious story on my PTR about last years hoedown. Let's just say it involved Sangria and the bathroom.

Oh dear. I don't remember that in the actual TR....perhaps that was the sanitized version?

Looking forward to the story!

There's nothing like working for yourself instead of working to make someone else rich!

The sangria memories made my head hurt!

Love your gym shirt. Maybe I should wear a disney shirt to help me get back into the gym after a 2 month break. I have to get back - I'm already paying for it..... (not to mention the 10 lbs I gained in Boise).

Working for yourself is great in concept...if there is something you can do that you could actually make a living at. I've been doing some freelance stuff but I can't make a living at it. Of course that could be because I really don't know what I'm doing and I make it up as I go along!

It has worked out quite nicely in trades though!

One of these days I will revisit the book.

Sadly everytime I try to go for cool non profit types of jobs that would be enough to live on but not much more...I'm overqualified. Or too corporate. Or something. As one who has hired plenty I get it. I really do. But still.

I think it's a grand plan...everyone wear a Disney shirt to the gym!

 

[Sandy321]

Also trying to get caught up!!

I forgot to copy your MOST IMPORTANT WORK POINT...
the "unrealistic goals"

Its what DH talks about - and why he also cant get hired - - but they want him as a "contractor" or ie "scapegoat"!! Who wants to sign up to be a scape goat for the unrealistic goals? The pressure, the yelling - its just wrong!

Mine too, clearly NOT enough coffee yet!! Sangria- Two memories: The birthday party of a Dutch student who came to do her internship with us. Coupled Sangria with Settlers; I lost.

The Hoop de Doo. I mentioned posting a hilarious story on my PTR about last years hoedown. Let's just say it involved Sangria and the bathroom.

LOVED your Sangria Story C - omgoodness I cant imagine!! I like beef jerky - but jamon sounds... not so much!!

I found a nice Italian bistro type place in chicago - you order and share everything -- awesome - but their Sangria!! YUM So for DS' wedding shower - I thought I could make Sangria... Well, you do have to "taste test " it - often!!

and I have definately come up with a GREAT recipe! Lets just say add some Cherry Brandy and it takes it to a good level!!

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

OH I love how the black makes things stand out!!

FWI there is a good thread that gives step by step directions - and Michaels and JoAnn Fabric sells dyes with the 40 - 50% off coupons - OH and Target sells 100% Cotton shirts - for $3 on clearance...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2028914
directions
The person PixieDust32 has resurrected the directions, and keeps up with this thread answering questions, etc - she almost got banned tho - because people would ask her to make shirts for them - its against DIS policy to sell things... it was unintentional - but she is back!!

BUT practice makes perfect - and I need more practice!!

TIP - when you 'mess' up the Mickey Head take a "bleach pen" to make it "stand out" - LIKE TK did - not like I did Tide to Go pens are NOT bleach... *DUH (but I did dip the pen in bleach once I figured THAT out!)

TK you are an inspiration!

Thanks Cynthia for sharing!! I promise to wear Mickey to the gym... maybe today.. or tomorrow...

 

[eandesmom]

Also trying to get caught up!!

I forgot to copy your MOST IMPORTANT WORK POINT...
the "unrealistic goals"

Its what DH talks about - and why he also cant get hired - - but they want him as a "contractor" or ie "scapegoat"!! Who wants to sign up to be a scape goat for the unrealistic goals? The pressure, the yelling - its just wrong!

Well I can't imagine actually getting yelled at but I'm not signing up for something that isn't a smart goal. Personally, I plan to grill the guy myself today. We'll see how that goes. Pressure is one thing, that is the nature of sales and much as I'd REALLY rather get back to a straight marketing position, the opportunities are in business development (prolly b/c no one wants to do it for all the reasons mentioned lol). Scapegoat and yelling. No way. I'm so sorry your DH is dealing with that. Is he still looking elsewhere? Contract or not it doesn't seem like a good environment at all.

I found a nice Italian bistro type place in chicago - you order and share everything -- awesome - but their Sangria!! YUM So for DS' wedding shower - I thought I could make Sangria... Well, you do have to "taste test " it - often!!

and I have definately come up with a GREAT recipe! Lets just say add some Cherry Brandy and it takes it to a good level!!

Ok Cherry brandy sounds REALLY scary to me. Italian Sangria?

One of my favorite tapas restaurants in the world is in Chicago...Cafe Iberico.

way better than the overrated Cafe Babareeba...IMHO.

Thanks Cynthia for sharing!! I promise to wear Mickey to the gym... maybe today.. or tomorrow...[/QUOTE]

Today Sandy! You can do it today

Your shirts are darling!

I'm sure I "could" make the shirts myself. I have no desire to. I am making several transfer shirts though but I'm quite content to let someone else deal with dye. You might need to post the shirts over on your thread, everyone can wear them to train in! I know some have them already...

 

[Happydog]

A very very cute shirt!! Looking forward to more on the job front, and of course your other updates! I will be wearing my Jack shirt again, on Saturday!!!!

 

[Sandy321]

Thanks Cynthia -

next time in Chicago I'll meet you at Quartino's and you'll love the Italian Tapas!!

DH is indeed applying and networking...

OK I insist - Today it is!!

Now - good luck - may you be surrounded by peace (ie no nerves!!) and calm - may the right doors open to you! As they should!!

 

[eandesmom]

A very very cute shirt!! Looking forward to more on the job front, and of course your other updates! I will be wearing my Jack shirt again, on Saturday!!!!

Me too! I finally made mine today. He's not exactly centered though so I might give it to K and make myself another one lol.

Tried to make Evan's but apparently that 2nd cup of coffee hadn't quite hit yet...it won't iron on if you don't remove the backing paper...

I have another one printed and drying. I hate wasting the paper though! For some reason the first replacement one I printed, my printer decided to print half on the transfer paper and then grab a second piece of blank paper so that sheet is shot entirely!

Oh well.

Thanks Cynthia -

next time in Chicago I'll meet you at Quartino's and you'll love the Italian Tapas!!

DH is indeed applying and networking...

OK I insist - Today it is!!

Now - good luck - may you be surrounded by peace (ie no nerves!!) and calm - may the right doors open to you! As they should!!

I love anything Italian so I'm in! Not sure when that till be but I do love Chi-town.

I have my own trifecta.

Lori's.
Gibson's
Frontera



I do realize one isn't food but it feeds my...sole!

 

[All7OfUs]

You're here, you're here!!! Any word yet?? Need to hit the hay in a bit, but was just checking in.

 

[eandesmom]

You're here, you're here!!! Any word yet?? Need to hit the hay in a bit, but was just checking in.

I am here! I was supposed to be getting in my car, right about now.

But the guy is sick so we are rescheduling.

And it's ok! I feel really really well prepared, did quite a bit of mental exercising this am and will be that much more ready for sometime next week. I have a big meeting for my current job tomorrow and now can really focus on that which is fabulous. It is super exciting stuff and potentially huge.

Plus this way I don't have to reschedule the microwave repair guy (who hopefully shows up at the early part of his time window) and can get a Costco run in and still make the Haunted Mansion pumpkin muffins for Eric's class party!

And make it to zumba and a jewelry party without feeling completely guilty about it.

If I could only figure out what to feed the monsters for dinner, I'd be golden!

 

[TarzansKat]

If I could only figure out what to feed the monsters for dinner, I'd be golden!

I highly recommend the golden arches.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

I am here! I was supposed to be getting in my car, right about now.

But the guy is sick so we are rescheduling.

And it's ok! I feel really really well prepared, did quite a bit of mental exercising this am and will be that much more ready for sometime next week. I have a big meeting for my current job tomorrow and now can really focus on that which is fabulous. It is super exciting stuff and potentially huge.

Plus this way I don't have to reschedule the microwave repair guy (who hopefully shows up at the early part of his time window) and can get a Costco run in and still make the Haunted Mansion pumpkin muffins for Eric's class party!

And make it to zumba and a jewelry party without feeling completely guilty about it.

If I could only figure out what to feed the monsters for dinner, I'd be golden!

I'm glad you have a sense of peace! I know it will all work out the way it is supposed to. You'll have to post the muffin photos. (You know how we Dis'er love food porn!)

 

[creativeamanda]

I'm glad you have a sense of peace! I know it will all work out the way it is supposed to. You'll have to post the muffin photos. (You know how we Dis'er love food porn!)

You, dh thinks I'm nuts because I look at food porn.

 

[eandesmom]

I highly recommend the golden arches.

Oh that would make the E's day. They've been complaining that they haven't been "since they don't remember when".

Too bad

Sooo sad.

Not.

They made out alright with some carnitas...

And mickey was QUITE the hit at Zumba tonight. My instructor asked me if it was from TOT!



It is probably better for straight weight lifting, I'm used to wearing tanks and I was quite warm! But it sure was cute.

I wore Jack on the way out and got stopped three times, quite the Disney t-shirt night at the gym!

I'm glad you have a sense of peace! I know it will all work out the way it is supposed to. You'll have to post the muffin photos. (You know how we Dis'er love food porn!)

Will do! Still have to frost and sprinkle in the morning but they are made and I have all my tombstones ready to go!

Huge sense of peace. We will see how long it lasts lol, interview looks like next weds.

You, dh thinks I'm nuts because I look at food porn.

He's nuts. Who doesn't like food porn?

 

[All7OfUs]

Glad you are able to get everything in- sounds like a busy day/weekend. Hope Mr. Microwave can fix it, and it's not too expensive.

Score on the carnitas! That beats Ronald's place out, for sure! Although, I'll admit it right here in front of God everyone. When I landed in Frankfurt last time, the first thing I got was a Fish Filet with extra lettuce and tomato. Ah, heaven, I tell you!! (no ocean fish here.. I plan to load up on shrimp and fish in Sept!!!)

HM cupcakes?? This I gotta see!

 

[eandesmom]

Glad you are able to get everything in- sounds like a busy day/weekend. Hope Mr. Microwave can fix it, and it's not too expensive.

Score on the carnitas! That beats Ronald's place out, for sure! Although, I'll admit it right here in front of God everyone. When I landed in Frankfurt last time, the first thing I got was a Fish Filet with extra lettuce and tomato. Ah, heaven, I tell you!! (no ocean fish here.. I plan to load up on shrimp and fish in Sept!!!)

HM cupcakes?? This I gotta see!

the microwave thing was pathetic, and annoying. When it happened, I called, and they scheduled someone to come out. They asked me if I had unplugged it.

Uh no, it's built into my wall/cabinet, no can do. I can go flip the breaker if you like. I assumed they'd want me to, it's generally the first step and I was just being LAZY since the oven, which is also on the same breaker, was FINE.

They said, no no, we will have someone out. So I'm thinking ok, the display screens just die at some point, that must be it.

Nope. Flipped the breaker, waited 5, it was fine. It didn't cost me anything but a bit of embarrassment though I did make sure to state I'd offered to flip the breaker and was surprised when they didn't want me to.

I felt kind of bad, the tech tried to sell me filters for my fridge (we've never replaced it) but hey...the water still tastes fine to me!

Filet-o-fish.

Sigh. That was my FAV growing up! I'd probably still enjoy one though fish tacos seem to be my "grownup" replacement.

Not so much a score on the Carnitas as remembering I had leftover meat. I couldn't let it go bad! I didn't have any though, too late to eat a full meal by the time I got home. Paid for it this am, the 3 cheesepuffy things I ate at the jewelry/skincare party really didn't hold me through the night, especially after Zumba.

We're going out for mexican tonight before my mom's bash so I can make it up then! Otherwise all I'll get to eat is Krispy Kremes...

 

[eandesmom]

As I get myself, and my family ready for my mother’s infamous annual Halloween party tonight I think about the evolution of annual events.

Of family.

Of tradition.

I think about the fact that even though it isn’t our weekend, Kendall is making a point to come to the party tonight, with her best friend, because it’s a tradition she is now part of. Traditionally her mom is not flexible about weekends and extra time unless it’s driven by the kids. Kendall drives this one. She has a soccer game in Spokane tomorrow, needs to get to bed early and still she’s pushing for it. It makes me really happy. It makes my mom really happy. So did Evan, who mastered email last night, emailing me while “writing” his book report to say

“LOL I’m really excited about grandma’s party”

I of course had to forward that to my mother. Made her night.

I make cupcakes for Eric's classroom party, putting Haunted Mansion tombstones on them (stolen from CP who graciously posed the HM Printables link, I'd have not thought of it otherwise). And the HM makes me think of my mom.

Family is not always born “naturally”. It is created. It takes work. And in some ways…it is earned.

It is always a gift.

Let’s take a step back in time.

Back to say…

1975.

Good lord, was it really that long ago? Man, that just completely freaked me out doing the math.

I’m thinking it was. I need to check in with my mom and see.
1975 was a time of flux for my family. As I imagine was for many. Though likely, for very different reasons!

My parents had split up a few years prior, nasty icky divorce, long story blah blah blah and now my dad was dating again. He’d survived a very brief second marriage and was now dating.

His new GF wanted to go to Disneyland. To California. On vacation. With my dad and his 4 kids. We would have been 3, 5, 8 and 9 at the time. In my mind I’m 12 on this trip and yet I know that was the 2nd trip to DLR. I really was 9. I can’t believe I was 9 looking back. I certainly didn’t feel 9. But it was the summer before 4th grade. I was 9. The math tells me I had to be.

She had never been married, did not have any kids.

Prior to this, all we’d ever done were trips to the Oregon Coast, and visiting an Aunt who had a farm in OR. California was as exotic and foreign to us as say…New York City appears to my kids right now. It was bright, shiny, sunny. Full of surf and sand and oranges.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the Oregon Coast. Some truly great memories and I’m a bit ashamed that the E’s haven’t been there yet. They will, would have last summer but it was thwarted but still. It was all I knew, it was my definition of vacation.

This. This was different.

Bigger.

Grander.

More adventurous!

UNKNOWN

We drove from Seattle to San Diego and back. We camped the entire way and I’d never camped in my life. Pretty sure I still know how to set up that 12 man tent they had. It had a bazillion poles all color coded and each kid had a role, a corner and we could whip that thing up faster than they could get the Coleman stove going. Who knew then it would be the first of a lifetime of family camping trips

We squished 6 of us into a little hatchback. Back in the days before seatbelt laws. I rode on my dad’s GF’s LAP the entire way to CA and back. The 3 littler kids squished in the back seat. Our suitcases and tent strapped to the top of the car

So many memories.

My first artichoke. Who knew that artichokes were a great camping dining option? Giant things (even more giant in my 9 year old eyes) that we had PERMISSION, no make that ENCOURAGEMENT, to take each lovely little slices and rub it all over our very own pat of butter.

Real butter.

San Fransisco. A blur of so many impressions. Most notably my brother Todd overdoing it at Ghiradelli’s.​

Soon we were in LA. Staying with a college friend of my dad’s. They too had multiple kids and many were around our age. Going with them into the yard to PICK oranges. Who knew you could grow them in your yard? We never had oranges except for Christmas morning!

We went to the beach…those kids knew how to surf (they also knew how to peek over the rocks at the nude beach adjacent to the one we were at but I digress).

And then…the moment we’d been waiting for.

DISNEYLAND!

That first trip is a blur. A blur of sensory overload.

• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
• IASWAA
• PTOC
• Lunch at The Blue Bayou – by far the most exotic thing in my entire existence. I fell in love with the Monte Cristo then. Just writing about it makes me want to make them for my kids for dinner! WHY they don’t have this restaurant at WDW is just beyond me.
• Fried Chicken from Aunt Polly’s on Tom Sawyer Island. Ditto the above comment! Or at least the fried chicken part, it's there but not the same.

It was…

Unbelievable.

Magic.

Overwhelming.

And I got my very first ever trip souvenir.

A red Winnie the Pooh T-shirt that said “Disneyland”. Oh I loved that shirt.

We’d come down 1-5 and headed back on the 101. Somewhere in the redwoods…it rained.

The rain came down.

And down and down and down.

It was a blustery day.

It was not a gentle zephyr.

Our suitcases were strapped to the top of the car.

They were not waterproof.

They were blue.

My shirt was on the top of everything.
​

I learned a valuable laundry lesson that day. Colors bleed. Badly. And they take things out. Things that are important, that you can never get back.
I cried. Oh how I cried. I was a strong kid. Had to be. My “real” mom was pretty MIA and out there and so when we weren’t with my dad, I took care of everyone.

This trip was the first time someone was taking care of me. Don't get me wrong, my dad did, he is a rockstar and a half, but this was different. The girlfriend. She bought me that T. She wanted me to be a kid. Just a kid. Not the big sister, not the one keeping track of her siblings when our biological mom farmed us out to 3 different houses because she couldn’t take care of us, she wanted me to be just a kid. My dad was dealing with a mentally ill ex and 4 kids and trying to provide what little stability he could with the little time the court had given him and he really was doing a fine job. That shirt was more than just a memory of a magical place, it was a memory of a feeling of belonging and security and losing it was wow, like pulling the rug out from under me again when I’d just found there even was a rug to begin with.

She didn’t minimize my loss, she didn’t make me false promises about trying to get it back (though I later learned just how very very hard she tried to replace it) she was just there. There for me when I really needed it because it really really wasn’t about the shirt at all.

Somewhere in the middle of that trip my dad asked her to marry him.

Smart smart man my father.

We did go back. Many a time growing up. I never found the “right” shirt to replace it. I attempted once with a WDW version from 1992 or so but it was back in the oversized T days and the thing is HUGE. I could fit 2 of me in it and it’s not like I was bigger then. I “should” let Kendall use it as a jammy shirt but I can’t let it go.

Pooh came home to me last week. It’s not remotely the same but then again neither am I. The feeling I get though.

IS.

I was at a girls weekend with my gourmet club not too long ago. We played a game where each took a rock out of a bag and it had something on the bottom that you had to share with the group.

Mine was…favorite memory.

I’ve got a lot of ones, as do we all. Pivotal ones, both good and bad. Perhaps it was because I have Disney on the brain lately, perhaps not. For whatever reason this is the memory that came to mind.

Next....Food porn, bumping pumpkins, a new page, a revised page and…the soccer drama begins!

 

[All7OfUs]

We're going out for mexican tonight before my mom's bash so I can make it up then! Otherwise all I'll get to eat is Krispy Kremes...

So, why not just have the margarita AND the Krispy Kremes??

I won't mention the microwave thing.... You so crack me up!