Yesterday was my "first" day of school!!

Well...kind of, LOL!! I volunteered to help out in Paige's 2nd grade class room on Wednesdays (and then I get to have lunch with my little sweetie). I tested the kids on their "star" words and helped a few with their cursive writing...then I got to grade papers (woohoo)...now that's what I'm talking about. Give me "technical" jobs (ie, grading papers, making copies, filing, etc...)! I know this will probably sound kinda bad, but I really don't want to work with the kids (like one on one stuff)...nothing against kids (per se)...it's just after being a sahm for 16 yrs, I've spent every waking hour with my kids (well til they went to school, lol) and I'm just "over" that aspect, I guess. I like to work, I don't mind working and the fact that I'm volunteering (aka: working for free) proves that...but I really like to work "alone"...I'm the type of person who would probably do well in a little cubicle. Give me my assignment, give me my space and I will produce results, period!

Anyway...it was kinda fun working with the kids too (I have to admit, it wasn't "that" terrible, LOL)...and I know that all the while, I'm using and improving my work skills...and I hope that this will be advantageous to my future prospects in employment with the school district (office work of course, LOL).

Seriously...all I can say is my hat is completely off to teachers. I simply couldn't do it and there really isn't enough money that they could pay me to do it. I prefer clerk/office work...it's what I'm good at and while there are many jobs which offier clerk work...my goal is to work for the district so I can keep similar hours as my own kids...because my job as MOM never ends and I still want to make myself as available as possible to my children before/after school, weekends and holidays. So while I "could" probably get an office job just about anywhere...I'm holding out for the district job. I have come to realize that I may need to lower my standards a hair and possibly take on a job in the cafeteria in order to get my proverbial "foot in the door"...and that's okay too (just haven't seen any food service positions open, yet). Hey...I'm willing to start at the bottom!

To love or not to love...

That...is the question! It is true...I have a love/hate relationship with my one and only sister. There's a part of her...that I dearly love. She "can" be good and when she's not lecturing me, judging me or throwing salt in my wounds...I actually like her too. However, more often than not...she is that way and I cannot stand to be around her. I think it's natural to surround yourself with like-minded people and those that present a positive force...on the other hand...we tend to distance ourselves from those that always disagree and present a negative force. Seems everytime I say, "...that's it, I'm never talking to her again..." we end up back together some how. Take for instance this past weekend. Dad was in Boulder most of the week taking care of E while She and her dh were on an Alaskan cruise (courtesy of dh's rich friend who paid for everything). Anyway...Dad had called me and said that he had planned to keep E out of school Friday and drive back to town in the morning (in an effort to avoid rush hour traffic in Denver)...so he asked if he could bring E here (as sis and dh wouldn't be getting home til late Sat. night and he would be bored staying with him at his place where there's nothing to do. So of course I said sure. So Friday afternoon, Nolan, Tim and I met Dad and E at the golf course for lunch. I kept E and dad went on home to Canon City.

E is really no problem. We had our problems with him a few years ago (when he pushed P down the stairs)...I had to set him straight and after that...he seemed to respect my authority and we've never really had any further problems with him...Now, the second my sister walks in, though...he changes and becomes unbearable, iykwim? Well...after my last conversation with my sister (some 2 weeks ago) in which she left me feeling pretty crappy...I swore her off for the last time. And then when dad wanted me to keep E for a couple nights...I really didn't mind that, but I was not looking forward to having to see and deal with my sister in person. In fact...I was dreading it to no end.

So fast forward to Saturday night...we had just got home from a very long day at the office (me helping Tim catch up on the invoices) and were getting ready to deal with neighbors (long story), when out of the blue, in they walked (no phone call to say they were on there way...in fact, dad kinda thought they'd stay in Springs as their flight was pretty late, but apparently, they back sooner then planned...guess it was around 8pm). Anyway...she was very sympathetic about our neighbor situation. She even sat down with us and helped me figure out each and every single charge, etc...and watched our kids on Sunday morning when we went to confront the neighbors. She called this afternoon just wanting to know how things were and if anything else had happened with the neighbors. We actually had a nice visit and she didn't once try to tell me how stupid I was for letting this situation get out of hand with the neighbors. I kind of expected it though...even after our nice visit. The reason being is that she is never critical or mean when Nolan's around...it's usually when she has me by myself (on the phone or in person)...but she didn't today...and even said, "love ya" before she hung up. I was stunned honestly...

So...what to do??? I so want a relationship with her...but seems like everytime I let my defenses down...she attacks...and I never know which sister she's going to be (good sister/bad sister)...it's almost like she has two separate personalities. Does Jeckyl and Hyde mean anything?? I want to love her...I want to like her...I want us to have a sisterly relationship...but I'm scared. Every time I open my heart and begin trusting her again...she stomps on me.

I guess for now, I will love her cautiously...

Time for updates...

Well...school is back in force (started on the 19th). The kids are in 10th, 6th and 2nd grades. Jim is taking a year off college to work full-time and pay off some debt (and because he got NO financial aid this school year). It pretty much stinks that the poor kid has been living on his own for 4 yrs (since he was 19) and yet the gov't is still using OUR income to determine his financial aid eligibility (what a crock). Anyway...Steph should be graduating again from Virginia Tech with her masters degree next May 2010...so that will be nice!

Uhhhh, what else??? Well...Nolan's going back to Durango tonight, yuck...he's been gone so much and I'm sick of it!!! The freakin' VP shouldn't have to be supervising jobs on sight...that's rediculous! But...between him and Tim...there's just too much work that's too spread out and just not enough supers to manage it all. Oh well...whatcha gonna do?

I'm having a major allergy attack (uhhhh, I hate this time of year cause the weeds are outta control and I'm just one, big ITCH, literally, LOL)...I'll keep poppin' the Claritin and Benedryl, LOL...til this season passes, LOL!

I guess Clay got tickets to the Rockies game this Friday, so we're all going (Me, Nolan, Tim and Clay)...no doubt a trip to the Diamond Cabaret will be in order, LOL! I'd rather go dancing, but I'm afraid the guys vote will override mine, LOL!!

Got to have lunch with Dad, Mike and Kenny Saturday at the golf course. That was fun! Dad was a hoot as usual!

I've got a lot to get done this week...so I better get to bed at a decent hour, LOL!!!

Paige's Teddy Bear Tea Party...

Well...we finally got Paige's birthday party done (better late than never, lol)...and it turned out so sweet! We started the party with everyone decorating their white lace placemats. After everyone had finished their placemat...we had lunch which consisted of tuna sandwiches, ham & cheese sandwiches and turkey & swiss sandwiches...chicken salad with croissants...fresh fruit salad with yogurt dip...a vegi tray and ranch dip! After lunch...Paige opened up her presents. She got some cute stuff. A new purse (with accessories)...a High school musical toy...a tinkerbell village...and Michelle sent her the cute little pig that Paige had painted when she took the girls to the paint your pottery place. After gifts...we had a few games of "Hot Teddy Bear" (kinda like hot potato, but with a bear instead)...the bear gets passed around and when the music stops, the one holding the bear is out! It was fun and the girls were all good sports!

After the game, we did sweets and tea! I made apple/cinnamon herbal tea and we had pink and white cupcakes, doughnut holes and oatmeal cookies! All the girls decided to take their tea with milk and 2 sugar cubes (the English way, LOL)...and I acted as resident "butler", LOL!! We also had a teady bear contest...and each bear (stuffed animal) won something and they each got to pick a prize from the prize basket!

After tea...it was time for the main project. I found these really neat "magic" mugs at Bed, Bath and Beyond. They were plain white mugs that came with special markers to decorate the mug however you wanted. After decorating, you simply rubbed the mug with tissue paper and that "set" it! It was very cute!! I think Paige was really delighted and thrilled! It was a lot of work, but so worth it to see her beaming smile from ear to ear!!!

Check out the party pics below:

It's official now...

My son...my pride & joy...my first born...my brown eyed boy...is engaged to be married (hopefully in the fall of 2010). He planned it all out while Steph was vacationing with her family at the beach. So on August 25, 2009...she said YES!!! I am so lucky to have such a wonderful daughter-in-law! Steph is one of the most genuine people I've ever known and I'm so proud of her and it just warms my heart how much she loves my boy!! I will post updates as I hear them!!

A very LAZY day today...

Uhhhhhh...those late nights are putting a cramp in my household ambitions! We hadn't planned on going out last night, but I had to meet Marylu and Tricia for a few drinks at the Cock & Bull pub downtown. It was actually not too bad...Tricia was a really nice gal and Marylu was in very good spirits. Nolan dropped me off (cause I didn't want to worry about parking or having to walk to my car in the dark) so...then he picked me up around 8:30 pm and we headed back home. When we got back, Jack and Kevin wanted to go to the Tumbleweed...but both Taylor and Chase were at friends' houses and we had no babysitter. I guess Kevin's gf (aka: common law wife) got pissed at him and took the boys and headed up to Denver. Anyway...we discussed taking the boat out to the lake and having a few drinks, but the external lights weren't working. So...it ended up that Jack took me and Kevin and dropped us off at the TW for about an hour. I really didn't want to go as I knew it was going to be a somber night with what happened to Becky's little boy. It was business as usually for the average person there, but for the regulars that know Becky, etc...there was a lot of tears.

So while I visited with the regs, Kevin hooked up with this gal that he met last weekend (Andrea). We played some darts (while waiting for Jack to pick us up)...and then Andrea ended up coming back to Jack's house with us...oh boy!

After we got back to Jack's...everyone was hungry so ran home and grabbed the stuff to make steak and eggs. Kevin grilled the steaks and I made fried eggs and hashbrowns...it was actually really yummy (at 3 in the morning, LOL)...

After Jack went to bed, Kevin and Andrea came back to our house to listen to some tunes. We listened to a few songs then Nolan and I went to bed and left K & A in the living room. Not sure "exactly" what went on, but from the "sounds" of it...they had a good time. Andrea's a nice gal. Recently divorced with 4 kids...I think she's like 29 or so...but very nice. It makes me feel bad though for Kevin's gf/wife Michelle...she's a sweet gal and I really hate to see her be treated like crap. Last weekend when we all went to the Tumbleweed, Kevin ignored Michelle all night and hung out with that girl...then they had a huge fight after we left the TW. I really like Michelle and I don't like that I even know this kind of information. It's not my place to tell her, but it does make me feel bad. I know she has to know what goes on with Kevin, but it's like she's in denial. She probably doesn't even know that there are decent guys out there that would treat her so much better. It's so reminiscent of my dating Fred (the guy I dated before I met Nolan)...he treated me pretty crappy...but it wasn't til I met Nolan that I even realized how bad it was.

Anyway...no drinks this week. I've gotta get some sleep and get everything ready for Paige's party next weekend.

Lunch with Samila...

Okay...what can I say??? I absolutely love Pete's new girlfriend, Samila (pronounced: saw-Meelah)! She is Persian (aka: Iranian), but has been in the USA for nearly 30 yrs. She has a 28 yr. old daughter who lives in Florida. Samila owns her own Boutique in Seattle. She sells formal wear (mainly for Proms and such). She is very beautiful, intellegent, witty and just fun to be around.

Me and Samila:


Pete and Samila:


So after Pete's dinner party last weekend, she said she wanted to get together sometime during the week. She called me Monday and we decided to have lunch together on Tuesday. So I went to pick her up at Pete's house and she invited me in for tea...Persian tea! Of course I couldn't turn that down.

I learned some new and interesting things while having my Persian tea! First, on the stove she had the samovar.

Samovar:


Pete's isn't exactly like this (his heats on the stove)...anyway, the hot water is in the samovar...then the teapot sits atop it. The tea is very strong...so it's served in a clear cup with about a third of the cup filled with the tea...then the hot water is added until the desired color is achieved.



The persian tea is not served with sugar, but rather with the nabat (nuh-Bot)...which is a crystalized sugar cube which you keep in your mouth (like hard candy) and then as you sip the tea, you get little tastes of sweet with each drink...very interesting!

the nabat:


Anyway...we ended up having a very deep, spiritual conversation and so instead of going out to lunch...we just had leftovers...Salmon, rice, squash, cucumber salad...all prepared Persian and very delicious!

Samila will have to go back to Seattle tomorrow (sunday) and I think then Pete's going out there for a visit later on this month. So...not sure when we'll see her again, but it's so much fun to talk with her and I love her accent.