Interview Update

This morning I had my interview at Juliette's House. While the pay is very low, the hours couldn't be more perfect (assuming, of course, that God allows my business to take off). The interview went well. So well, in fact, that I got a call this afternoon scheduling me for a final interview on Friday morning. I have no idea whether or not I was the only person called back; I know they were paring it down to their favorite one or two candidates for Friday.

I'm excited, but a very mellow excited. I've made it to the second stage of interviews more than once and then been disappointed.

Tomorrow afternoon/evening I'm looking forward to attending the Grand Ballroom opening with Michael. I need to do some serious schmoozing with the owner!!

As Tigger would say, TTFN!
(Ta ta for now)

What Are The Odds??

Today Drew ended up with a doozy of a severe ear infection. I had to get him into the doctor right away. OK, let's be honest.... "right away" in pediatrician terms when you call at noon of the day you need your child to be seen means dinnertime. But I'm getting off track...

While Michael watched Nick, I took Drew to the doctor. As we pulled into the complex, the coffee hut there in the parking lot had a sign by the entrance that read (and I am not making this up...): "Free 16 oz. coffee to the driver of a white Blazer". What??!! I couldn't believe it! It's all I thought about the whole time we were in seeing the doctor. At first I thought, "No, I shouldn't do it; I just had a cup of coffee at home and another one will mean I'll be up really late." However, here is the thought that won out:

"What are the odds that out of every model of car, out of every color of car, they would choose my very car, and on a day when it was totally coincidence that I was anywhere near here? How can I NOT take advantage of that?!"

So once we got back in the car, I headed right for that coffee shack, worried of course that it would be too late and they would be closed. But they were open! I think the guy was just as surprised as I was when I drove up and asked him if the sign was serious. He said I was the only white Blazer that had come by today. And so off I drove with my free nonfat Vanilla Latte. (And no, it never occurred to me to order decaf; I was too excited to think of that.)

I also just got a lead tonight on a bride who is seeking a Wedding Consultant. I quickly emailed her and am anxiously awaiting a reply. If I get this contract, here is where it will be difficult to keep a straight face... the bride loves fairies, and the groom is in the Coast Guard. The bride wants a wedding that incorporates fairies & the Coast Guard together. Wow!

Well, I did call myself No Ordinary Affair, didn't I?.....

Super Saturday

Our "Super Saturday" actually started on Friday night. That night Michael babysat (ahem, had a "Man's Night" with the boys) while I went and played Bunco with my girlfriends. It's been far too long since we've all been together, so we had a blast. The twelve of us are officially making Bunco a monthly activity. I'm so excited! And it was such a blessing to have Michael so genuinely excited for me to get out and "play" with my friends. Although it's no longer such a surprise and new feeling to have someone who encourages and supports my friendships, dreams, ambitions and hobbies, it's something I will never take for granted.

On Saturday morning the boys and I went up to Michael's where we were treated to a huge homemade breakfast. So, so good!! Craig even joined us for a little bit.

Then we went with Michael to look at a house that's in foreclosure. He and I had the same reaction: huge potential; huge, huge amount of work (although work that's right up his alley). For fun, we sat down later in the evening and redesigned the inside of the house on paper. The finished product was pretty cool. There's also a very large barn that would be perfect for a shop. And there's a newer, separate building that was built to be an office or two. It's just the first house we've looked at for him, so we'll see how it all unfolds as we continue looking.

After an hour at a local park where the four of us played, we went to visit Michael's grandma and she took us out for lunch.

We then headed back to Michael's where the boys got to play outside. They also got their first rides on the four-wheeler. Drew was in heaven. He went twice and had such a huge smile on his face.

Nick, on the other hand, wasn't so sure about the whole experience. I think he found other parts of the day more exciting and less scary. Give it a year or two and he'll be begging to do more of that.

Once back inside, we parked the boys in front of a movie while we relaxed and played some games. We invited Craig & Vickie to join us. When they got ready to leave, Vickie insisted on taking the boys back to their house for a while. It gave Michael & I a couple of hours to eat dinner and relax. When we finally went to get the boys, they didn't really want to leave. They enjoy all of the attention Vickie showers on them. I love seeing that.

Last but not least, the Bridal Guide came out with yesterday's newspaper. It was smaller than I had anticipated; however, I was overjoyed to open it up and see that my ad was ON THE FIRST PAGE!! How cool is that?? So now I'm just waiting (and praying) to see if I score any clients off this latest marketing venture.

On a related note, I have no idea who to thank for the Oregon Bridal magazine that was left on my doorstep yesterday. If you left it and you are reading this blog, I just want to say a huge thank you!!! That was so awesome of you! I'm off to read it right now while I'm on the stepper... (Michael promised me we can take dancing lessons together when I lose my next 20 lbs.).

Good Start to the Weekend

I have to tell you... this whole potty-training thing with Nick has been awesome! I haven't had to initiate one single trip to the potty. He is completely self-motivated and doing great.

This morning after we dropped Drew off at school, Nick & I stopped by the grocery store. As I went to get him out, he indicated (with his own brand of "sign language") that he had to go potty. Faster than I could register it, he got out of the car and started to pull down his pants right then and there (let's just say his big brother has been teaching him the benefits of being a boy...). I quickly stopped him and told him we'd run to the bathroom inside the store. I didn't have high hopes of him making it all the way inside, but that's why he wears a Pull-Up, right? Well, my little man surprised me. He made it all the way inside and to the back of the store very calmly, went inside the bathroom and peed in the potty. I was oh so proud.

On quite another note, I got a call yesterday from the Executive Director at Juliette's House and I have an interview scheduled for Tuesday morning at 9:00!!!

One more thing before I go.... can I just say that "Lost" has gotten GREAT this season?!! Did you see it last night?? If you're not a "Lost" fan, you are SO missing out on an awesome show. It would be totally worth it to you to go rent all of the past seasons and jump on board. It is GOOD this season! I think they're making up for all of the weirdness in the last couple of years.

The Joy of Sons

Yesterday's forecast was all wrong. Because the forecaster's were way off base, the boys enjoyed some time out in the backyard again. They played with dirt, with golf clubs, with guns, with sticks... and then paused for this wonderful photo.











Today at lunch Drew looked at me, got a smile on his face and said, "Mom, you're so beautiful." Melted my heart!!

A few minutes later he excused himself to go get some yogurt. Since we have that annoying wall between the kitchen and dining room, I couldn't see what he was doing. However, I heard a bunch of silverware being jostled around. I asked what was going on and he told me that he had decided to clean out the dishwasher for me. Sure enough, he had put away all of the silverware and had the stepladder out so that he could put away the rest of the clean dishes.










Not to be outdone, Nick decided he wanted to help too. So he took on the official job of handing the clean dishes to Drew.


The whole thing was so cute and so sweet. What awesome boys I have!

Tuesday Talk

Well, I did it. I finished my resume, cover letter and interview questions and sent them off this afternoon to Juliette's House for the Family Support Team Coordinator position. The Executive Director emailed me back tonight to let me know they had been received. Yet another potential job in God's hands...

As for that other job I bid on that sounded too good to be true?... well, yeah, it was. Got an email early this morning from the site host that went out to everyone who bid on the job. They wanted to let us know it had been pulled from the site as fraudulent. Oh, well.

Forgot to give you an update on the house. Had potential buyers come both Saturday and Sunday, but no offers materialized. A third set of buyers had been accidentally double-booked for Sunday and apparently my realtor hasn't yet been successful in rescheduling them.

On the cold front, I managed to squeak by with only minor symptoms that are almost 100% gone already. Thank goodness! The boys and Michael are still recuperating.

Have I told you yet about Drew learning to count to ten in Spanish? About two weeks ago he wanted to show me his skills. Let's just say that "siete" (#7) didn't quite come out right..... Give it a minute and I'm sure you'll come up with some semblance of his improper pronunciation. Let's just say that it can't be repeated here on this blog.... I crack up every time I hear it, and I've had him recite his Spanish for Michael, my mom, and my sisters. Michael thinks I'm exploiting him.... and I continue to think it's hilarious. Brenda suggested I borrow someone's camcorder, record it, and send it in to America's Funniest Home Videos to try and win the $10,000 prize. Even Michael had to concede that some forms of exploitation might just be okay after all! :)

Warm February Day

Today was a beautiful prequel to spring, one of those days that brings on spring fever! I was able to enjoy sitting out in the backyard with the boys for a while this afternoon. There's just something about the warmth of the sun... it made me feel better both emotionally and physically (Drew so "generously" shared his cold with Nick, Michael and me). I love it.

On the job front, I keep plugging away. Tomorrow I will submit my resume and screening questions/answers to the local Child Abuse Prevention Agency. We'll see what happens. I also applied for a work-at-home job that sounds too good to be true. Probably is, but it's on a very reputable job bidding site, so we'll see. I'm not holding my breath. I'll let you know what happens.

One exciting bit of news is that last week I received an official invitation to the Grand Opening of that huge winery Grand Ballroom I was so excited about in the fall. Back then I was only able to see the artist's renderings when I met with the owner. Next Wednesday Michael & I will get to see the completed masterpiece in person. I'm so excited... both to see it, and to schmooze with the owners and the other vendors who have been invited. Pretty cool thing to look forward to!

Right now my throat is sore and all I want to do is go to bed. I guess I should be thankful... both Nick and Michael were totally miserable today. At least I've been spared the worst of it so far.... knock on wood!

P.S.
Have I told you that about two weeks ago Nick started potty training himself?? It's been awesome! We have a ways to go yet, but he's managing to stay dry most of the day.... and all completely self-initiated! I'm hoping his speech is next.