Tuesday Musings #15

Blog topic for this week: Ghosts

This is the ghost who lives in my house.

No, just kidding. It was a great effect with the camera, however. My take on this topic is definitely not on the supernatural. You see, though the above picture was actually what the photographer wanted...what we usually get with our camera looks something like this:

I realize that I just need a faster shutter speed, maybe a simple adjustment to the equipment I'm already using, but maybe I really need a new (real) camera. As that's probably not going to happen any time soon, I'll have to settle for the un-natural looking flash bulb shot like this:

Tuesday Musings #14

Rewrite the following classic nursery rhyme as it applies to your life -

For want of a nail the shoe was lost.

For want of a shoe the horse was lost.

For want of a horse the rider was lost.

For want of a rider the battle was lost.

For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.

And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

For want of the milk, the cereal was lost.

For want of the cereal, the breakfast was lost.

For want of the breakfast, the children were lost.

For want of the children, the mother was lost.

For want of the mother, the family was lost.

And all for the want of milk.

Tuesday Musings #13

List five things that drive you crazy and make you want to go live in a cabin on a mountainside and never see another human being. Then, list five things that make you smile even on the rainiest of days.

FIVE things that drive me crazy:

#1 People who cut you off in traffic, while talking on their cell phone, then get mad at you for almost slamming into the back of them as the result of their sudden movement into your lane...which was flowing quite nicely before their careless and inconsiderate move. "What do you mean, giving me the bird...I should be giving you the bird...I was here first!!! You didn't see me huh...? Maybe you should have put your silly phone down while driving! Oh good. So glad you managed to put it down in order to properly wave your middle finger my direction. Idiot! I really should just slam the back of your nice and shiny black Mercedes." (can you tell that this happened recently? I suppose I suffer a bit from road rage. It's a good thing I no longer commute to work!)

#2 Being woken up just as you arrive in that blissful deep sleep. This is really one of the few times in my life that I ever feel rage and anger (though I'm sure this is hard to believe after reading the above #1).

#3 Always feeling that I have to be the one to make meal time decisions. What is everyone going to eat? Todd thinks that when he says "I don't care" that he is actually helping me out. Someone, please care! Have an opinion! I want to be the one that "doesn't care" for a change!!

#4 When my husband tells me to "Buck up little camper" when I'm having a hard time. This really infuriates me! "Buck up." No, you buck up!!!

#5 My mother used to come dancing into my room singing in this high pitched voice to wake me up early in the morning. For some reason, hearing a sing-song voice interrupting my blissful morning sleep (there I go with the waking up thing again) makes me angrier than really anything else. It was all I could do to keep from punching her right in the nose when she came close. I do so much better with an alarm clock!

FIVE things that make me smile:

#1 My husband playing with my kids. This works for every mother, I think.

#2 A beautiful spring day with the sun shining and everything in full bloom. I'm really smiling when I'm a part of this picture, laying on the grass, reading a good book and eventually taking a nap.

#3 A good memorable tune on the radio. Music brings back memories like nothing else. I love it when I hear something that makes me smile.

#4 Whenever my husband quietly takes my hand and tells me he loves me.

#5 Kisses and hugs from my beautiful children. I suppose I need to "fill my canteen" for the days when they won't be so free with their affection.

Tuesday Musings #12

Is there is anything in your lifetime that you regret and would take back, and if so what?

I am sure if I really wanted to spill my guts right now, I could create a rather long laundry list of things I regret and would take back...but isn't that what life is all about? We live, learn, and make mistakes. It all adds up to the people we truly are. That said...there really are some occasions I would gladly take back. Funny thing is, I didn't always feel this way. Most of what I would want to take back were mistakes on my part. Times in my life when I was less than perfect (wait - that's pretty much my entire life!). I remember a time when these same occasions were not looked upon as something I would want to erase. I thought myself to be better equipped to help others now that I had been down a similar path. I thought I could understand and rise to the challenge to make a difference in someone elses life because we shared a common error. As I grew, matured, and ultimately repented and was fully forgiven of my misdeeds, I came to realize that making the same mistake is not a prerequisite for the ability to aid and comfort a fellow soul. In fact, most of the people who were there for me in my time of need, never ventured close the problems I had. They helped because they understood as the Savior does. They loved me, the sinner, not the sin. Why should they have to "know" what I went through in order to be my support?

So, if I could, I would take back many if not all of my past sins and misgivings. But...since this is not possible, I will gladly move forward with a repentant heart and make each day better than the last knowing I am doing the best that I possibly can and praying for the power to see others through the eyes of the Savior.

Tuesday Musings #11

Growing up what extra curricular activities did you get to try? Which activity was your favorite and which was your least favorite? If you didn't have an opportunity, which do you wish you could have tried? Pictures Please! :)

Sorry - I don't have pictures...at least not digitally. I am scanner deprived and really need to do something about it soon!

1. Piano lessons from 1st-4th grade. I did not love them...what kid does at this age, but I think I would've continued if we hadn't moved so far away from my teacher. My mom didn't push so neither did I though I achieved enough to assist me in learning to play the guitar...another set of lessons that really went no where...and I have the ability to read music.

2. Softball - 1st, 5th-10th grade. I liked to play softball. It was a part of who I was. I don't remember ever wishing I was doing something else...at least not until after my sophomore year - hence the reason I quit.

3. I dabbled in soccer and basketball but never on a very competitive level.

4. Volleyball - 7th-11th grade. My very favorite sport! By the time I was a senior, I was working so much there was no time for this or anything else for that matter.

5. ASB in 9th grade. This was a fun class/activity/whatever. I learned to come out of my shell a little and really enjoyed planning and implementing school wide activities. I wish I would've had the guts to run for office or something as I really enjoy planning, organizing and being in the middle of everything.

Wow! I guess I was all sports and really nothing too refined. Sad.

I suppose if I could do it all over, I would try just about everything I could. I would love to write...maybe for the school paper, maybe yearbook, theater for sure (I've always wanted to try out for a school production though I did take it as a class once). And maybe (as a much younger child) dance. It couldn't have hurt as my "moves" are truly lacking any style or skill. I always said, "Either you can play sports, or you can dance, but not both." Maybe that was just my way of protecting the fact that I really can't dance! I'd love to have tried it out and seen if this really is a true statement. Plus...who wouldn't kill for a dancer's body?!!

I Promise!

I promise to write soon. I have been gone and am pretty slow about getting back on task. I know about last week's topic...but what is this week's?? I guess I didn't get the email. Help!

Tuesday Musings #10

Do you collect anything? If so, what? If not then, why…or what would you collect if you had to start a collection? Pictures please!

Today is Wednesday so based on the title of this blog, I'm obviously late. I've been trying to think of something witty, creative, or interesting simply because I don't collect anything. Trust me, I feel like I collect all kinds of things...dirty fingerprints, missplaced toys, paper, paper, paper. But none of this is intentional. In fact, I hate collecting. Sometimes I wonder if I'm as sentimental as a rock. I keep nothing! Ticket stubs from important events - trash. Programs from memorable evenings - trash. Artwork my children work hard at creating for me - well, sometimes trash (I have a few weaknesses). I really think I have an aversion to collecting. I fear clutter of all kinds and let's face it...sometimes the things we collect can amount to nothing but clutter...at least until we find a way to manage or display it all. You would think with my utter disdain for clutter that it would be positively missing from my house. But you would be wrong. It's an ongoing battle and fortunately (or unfortunately) for me...I have been blessed with quite a few extra drawers in the kitchen I like to call my "junk" drawers. I suppose this could be considered a collection, right?

Tuesday Musings #9

“Imagine your life is now a book. In 100 words, write the blurb for it. (It’s what people will read on the back cover.)”

An average girl with average dreams. She never really expected to be anything fantastic. As she grew, she grew in confidence and found happiness within herself. At some point this happiness and confidence converged into the find of a lifetime, a wonderful man that saw so much more in her than she ever expected in herself. Their love grew and then flourished into a family. Now in the midst of the day to day struggles and joys of life, she finds herself fighting to keep her family close as the world around her closes in for the kill. The fight of her life waiting impatiently at her backdoor. Will she finally bloom and become truly fantastic when her family needs her most?

Tuesday Musings #8

Who was the last person you prank called? What did you say?

In my best robotic voice....

"Hello. This message is for *-*-*** **-**-**. If you are not this person, please hang up the phone and disregard. We are a collection agency attempting to collect a debt. The loan on your 2007 BMW 5 series is in default. We are driving the car away at this very moment. If you have any questions, please stay on the line and a representative will be with you or you may call 1-888-555-5555. Thank you and have a nice day.......message 798."-------------

Ok - so no, I did not make this call. Actually, I don't believe I have ever prank called anyone. I know, you probably don't believe me. But honestly. I have been in the room and even on the phone when someone was being called...but I was always too giggly or too chicken to do it myself. I suppose there might have been a time when I actually did say something but it was far too many years ago for me to remember a single thing about it now...so I suppose we'll have to stick with the made up story above!

Tuesday Musings #7

Looks like my blog is becoming a "once a week" event for my musings only. I can't seem to keep up on what is going on in my life or maybe it's that I can't find anything worthy enough to write about. Oh well. Maybe I should have a separate blog for all this "writing" stuff? Or, I guess, if you don't want to read it...just skip over it!
So this week's topic: If you woke up tomorrow morning and were someone else, who would you hope to be?

Background info: I thought about this for the full 24 hours and until just now, came up with nothing, nada, zip. It's not that I'm so satisfied with myself that I couldn't imagine being someone else for a change...but I'm so prone to realism that I have to weigh all the pros and cons. Doing this really eliminates just about everyone - myself included! Can no one have the perfect life? So, as I sat at my computer...trying to think of something to write, I indulged myself and got wrapped up in the first chapter of "Breaking Dawn" and the upcoming 'Twilight' movie trailer and other related production videos. Ok, I have never mentioned (on my blog) my love of these Stephenie Meyer books. I consider myself a big fan but I refuse to be 'fanatical'. I am typically quietly in the "know" about what is going on, when something will be released, etc. etc. but you won't catch me wearing an Edward or Jacob t-shirt. With that said, I am rather embarrassed (just as my husband will be) at this next entry. So here goes!

If I woke up tomorrow and were someone else I would be Bella Swan (yes, the female lead in the 'Twilight' saga). ...hopefully I'm allowed to choose someone fictional?? It's not that I think she is beautiful, or smart, or really anyone of consequence. It's just that she has a life that can only be contained in a fantasy. When I read about her, I yearn to have her friends. I dream of a love such as her Edward (of course this would only work as my 18 year old self...not with the maturity and knowledge of my current age). I think I could really dig the adventure of the life she is rather forced to lead, all mingled with the excitement of new and all-consuming love. When looking at her life realistically (remember, this is where I count everyone out) I can't figure why she would make the cut as the choices she has to make are far too great a burden than I could possibly bear. In fact, I'm just so grateful that I don't have to choose and someone can just write it all out for me to read. (Why can't someone do that for my 'real' life?) Anyway, the only thing I can come up with is that I would love to know her friends. I miss them when the books are closed. They have been written to be so fantastic and yet so real I have a hard time separating them from my own life. When I am reading the books, I am consumed with their stories, worried about their well-being, and anxious to know what might happen next. When the story ends, I grieve. I walk around in a dumb stupor for a day or two recovering from their loss. To be her, would mean that I could keep them forever. The book would never close and life would go on. Ahhh... Ok - now back to my happily chosen life... at least until August!

Tuesday Musings #6

This week's topic:

Welcome to blog boot camp! No more of this free verse. This week I want a sonnet! I'll take it easy on you in case your not in the habit of writing poetry, I'll let you pick the type of sonnet you write (I might suggest the Spenserian in honor of our founder). Here is a link to Wikipedia's explanation of a sonnet so that you can pick out your rhyme scheme.The theme of your sonnet should be potty training. Have fun!

Arrrrhhhh! This was so hard...hence the reason I'm late - SORRY! Here goes nothing!

For my song, I confess, shows little duress

and a happiness born of forgetting.

Though I've trained just two, the mess has been less

and not worthy of public addressing.

My son, only 3, when he learned to pee,

a daughter just 2, when she learned that poo

goes into the pot, not diapers you see

and for short reprieve, I was free, woo-hoo!

Though wonder awaits the dawn of my third.

Who knows how he'll handle his time to learn.

May be the one I would want to call "turd".

The "fun" we could have I feel myself yearn.

And though its in fact, a pain in the a**,

We all surely know, that this too shall pass!

Tuesday Musings #5

Topic for this week:

What was your feeling or thoughts when you held your child/children for the first time?

"Finally! Now I can relax! What does he/she look like? Does he have red hair? I hope not...I really don't want a boy with red hair! I am soooooo tired! I hope we don't have an ugly baby. I wonder if I would think my baby was ugly even if he really was?"

Ok - these really were some of the thoughts I had during and immediately following the births of my 3 children. Scary to me how out of tune I am about the wonder of childbirth in the moment that it occurs! For me, the love and tenderness I feel towards my children comes with the endless hours of servitude that follow this blessed event. I guess there is something to be said for compassionate service!

I remember being so surprised and delighted at how cute Ethan was when he was born (even with the red hair) that I wanted everyone to come in and see immediately. I didn't care that the doctor was still working on me and everything was all laid out on display...I wanted them to come in! Thank goodness the nurses made me wait. I'm sure that image would've been hard, if nearly impossible, to wipe from the memories of my poor unsuspecting family!

Ava was born so quickly that I remember thinking "Who's baby is this? She can't possibly be mine...I'm not even sweating!" It was all a bit surreal, enough that I figured I'd just get up and go to the restroom...and then fell flat on my face. My poor drugged lower body, though not completely numb, was not expecting my full weight and so, did not respond appropriately.

With Andrew, I watched every little detail and found it fascinating...kind of like watching a Discovery Channel program on childbirth. I literally breathed him out and found the whole experience strange and amazing...again like it was someone else's.

Though my initial emotions were all rather detached and impersonal I remember a very poignant experience with my daughter Ava when she was probably less than a month old. At the time I was attending many early (6am early!) Sunday meetings in preparation for our upcoming youth conference. She always came with me. On this one occasion I remember taking a break to feed her in the privacy of my car. I remember sitting there in the silence, just watching her and listening to the quiet baby sounds. I found myself relishing the moment. She was so sweet. This was so wonderful! I was a mother...the mother of this beautiful daughter of God! I had been given the amazing blessing to teach and care for this divine soul. I remember this intense feeling of love wash over me and my emotions gushed out upon the scene. Tears filled my eyes and my heart poured out an expression of gratitude to my Heavenly Father that I had felt so rarely in my life. It was a moment in which I truly felt what it must be like to love someone as God does. How grateful I am that He has blessed us to have these feelings towards our children. Some days it is this alone that gets us through. What a sublime experience it is to be a mother!

Tuesday Musings #4

Where did you grow up/live as you grew up up until the present? What is your earliest memory and how old were you? Did you play piano or a musical instrument at all or sports in high school or were you the studious type? Is there anything that you did that you think your parents didn't know about (and remember they just might read this or your children could so be cautious).
In honor of Mother's Day...tell us something that you learned from your mother (step mother, grandmother) that you practice today and/or something that they did that you wish that you had started to do with your family or life. Remember wishes can come true!

I grew up in a few different places. My family moved about 10 times before I hit the 5th grade. I lived in Downey and a few other CA locations, Colorado, Arizona, Norwalk (CA), Yorba Linda, and finally in the 5th grade, Norco. This is where I stayed until I graduated from high school and it was off to Rexburg, Provo, Atlanta, Amelia Island (FL) and finally back here to CA. Even after all that, I really think I enjoy moving!

My earliest memory would have to be the house in Colorado. I turned 3 here. I remember the long dark stairway to the basement where all my toys were kept. I remember my 3rd birthday party and the pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey game on the wall. I remember some other random things like the snow and what the front of the house looked like with the chain link fence around the yard.

I started taking piano lessons in kindergarten and continued until the 4th grade. We had finally moved too far away from my teacher and I'd pretty much lost all interest. I still remember much of it but I was too young to have taken it very far. I'm grateful now because I can read music and I can dink some things out on the piano...just not always recognizably!

I was neither the jock nor the studious one. In high school I played varsity volleyball and softball, and my grades were good enough for me to graduate with high honors. School came easy for me and I must have really enjoyed the easy "A" as you would rarely catch me signing up for more advanced classes. I sure didn't care to stretch myself!
There were a few things I did that I doubt my parents knew about (though I think I've told them most everything at this point). However, I can't think of anything I would like to divulge here in this open forum! I wasn't a bad kid but like most everyone, I pushed the envelope occassionally. I'm just grateful for truly good parents that let me make my own decisions and allowed me a lot of freedom and trust. This is probably the only reason I am here today, unscathed.
My mother is one of the most charitable people I know. She has always put everyone else before her own needs...so much so that I've always thought she was a bit crazy! Rarely did a day go by that she wasn't off taking something to someone or cleaning someone else's house. As I get older, I am learning to appreciate the lessons in humility she very quietly taught by her example and I am more aware of the amazing qualities I need to work to closely emulate. I am not the best at this and I know it is something that I would love for my children to see and understand. So, my wish is that I can become more like my mother and in so doing, my kids will have a good example to follow and maybe someday wish to be the same way.

Tuesday Musings #3

This week's writing challenge:
It has been said by many that there are specific and profound moments/decisions in your life that change you. They leave deep and indelible impressions and you are never the same again, whether for better or worse. Write about one of these moments in your life, how it changed you, and whether you consider yourself a better or worse person for it.

I can think of countless moments where something impacted me rather negatively and I was never the same again, but I really wanted to write on something that had a positively profound and moving effect on my life.

This moment came for me soon after I had graduated from college. I was working two jobs in an effort to pay off my school and personally accrued debt. I was feeling a bit low, not sure what I was going to do with myself and wanting so badly to be free from this slave driving ball and chain. In quiet moments, I found myself turning to personal reflection and prayer. I was reading good things and doing my best to keep in good company. I remember sitting outside our back porch on the ratty old couch reading "Be Thou an Example" by Gordon B. Hinckley. There was one chapter that really stuck with me. It was regarding a man who had been imprisoned in his own war torn country while the wherabouts of his family were unknown. He had lost everything and from my perspective, all hope. Once the ordeal had ended he was interviewed and found to be positive and joyful. The interviewer then asked him what kept him hopeful through this trial and why was he able to remain happy? He then answered simply, "I placed my burdens on Christ, and my load was lifted." (or something to that effect) I was very familiar with the story of the atonement. That Jesus suffered and died for my sins and that I had only to repent to return to live with Him someday. This was a basic and meaningful truth in my life. I had not, however, considered the fact that He suffered ALL of the pain, grief, fear and anguish that any and all of us have to face in this life (not just for our sins), so that He alone could comfort us in our time of need. So that He alone, could lift us up and remove the heavy burdens from our back. He alone could be that friend we could lean upon because He knew...He knows how each and every one of us feels. He alone has been there. So my fear of what was to become of my life, of whether I would ever be able to vanquish my debt, of feeling so alone with no earthly help around was after all, not my fear to bear alone. What joy my heart felt as I contemplated these words! This man in the book learned how to lean on his Savior, to make the atonement an action word in his life and he was blessed so deeply for it. Now, all I had to do was figure out how this worked. It was one thing to know that I could, but an entirely different thing to put into action. How do you become one with the Savior, sharing your burdens with Him who knows you best?

I contemplated these words for almost exactly one week. I prayed about how this could happen for me. My answer came in the most unexpected of ways.

I was driving to work one morning when a large semi truck and trailer moved into my lane of traffic without warning or hesitation, knocking me off the road into the ditch that divides the north and southbound sections of the freeway. I swerved and fishtailed around until my car eventually flipped over leaving me hanging upside down. This was where the strangeness of my tale comes in to play. I don't ever remember feeling as though I was upside down, nor the trauma my body must have gone through with the severity of the accident and the fact that I was traveling about 70 mph. I only remember feeling as though someone was cradling me and keeping me safe from harm as my car, this heavy piece of metal and rubber twisted and turned around me. I remember thinking, when the car eventually came to a stop, that I needed to get out before it blew up (no doubt a product of too much TV and movie watching!) and I wrestled a bit to get my seat belt loose. Funny, that again, I cannot remember ever having to right myself in the upside down car though I would've had to to get out of my seat. I only remember very easily climbing out the shattered back window and standing peacefully looking at my once shiny black Jetta now mangled and torn. As I stared, probably blankly, looking at the scene, one thought (or rather heartfelt prayer) came to my mind..."This is in your hands now. I release this burden and ask that you would bear me up and give me the strength to pick up the pieces. I don't know what to do but I trust that you know what is best for me and will walk with me comforting me along the way." I had a deep sense of gratitude in my heart as I knew who had protected me and cared for me. I knew it was my Savior who had prepared me for this trial I was to face, who had allowed the holy spirit to speak to me through this wonderful book. I finally knew what it meant to have the atonement an active and real part of my life.

This moment forever changed me and because of it, I come back to this memory often. It has been important for me to always remember the times in my life when I have felt His love most profoundly. It is through these memories that I am able to once again, feel His love wash over me and lift me easily through the daily trials I face.

Tuesday Musings #2

I didn't mention last week that I had joined a weekly writers group and that's what began my last entry. This weeks assignment was difficult for me as I actually had to be creative. Anyway, here's the assignment:

Compose a prank letter (harmless, no threats of bodily harm) to a large company/public entity.

Scan or copy-paste the letter into your blog.

Mail off the letter.

Post a response when and if you receive one!

LDS Family Services
CA Colton Office
791 North Pepper Avenue
Colton, CA 92324-1800

To Whom it May Concern:

I am the mother of four wonderful children and have recently had to make the toughest of choices. I have spent many a night agonizing over this decision and who I should contact. After months of extensive research, your organization is the only possible fit. You see, I come from a loving, religious family and I’ve tried to create the same atmosphere here with my children. Developing spiritually is as important to me as developing physically or mentally and I believe that every child should have that well rounded upbringing. I feel your philosophies complement these beliefs nicely.

Let me start from the beginning. My husband and I were married in our late 20’s/early 30’s and the desire to have children came soon after the honeymoon. Unfortunately, it took longer than we had planned and we were finally blessed to adopt our first born. He was a beautiful, sweet, loyal, intelligent wonder in our lives with chocolate brown hair and stunning green eyes.
Soon after, we were blessed with a little boy with red hair and blue eyes, followed by a little girl with blond hair and hazel eyes, and finally a little boy with blond hair and blue eyes. They are all wonderful. The youngest is now 9 months old.

As for the difficult part of the story…around the birth of our little girl, our relationship with our first born began to diminish. We increasingly had less and less time for him and he spent much of his day alone sleeping or begging us for attention. We were afraid to have him too close to the babies in case of an accident or injury that might occur. You can never be too careful! With this distance from our other children, you can picture how much time he had with us. I am afraid to admit that the time spent away from us has also distanced my heart. There was a time when I didn’t mind cleaning up the “poop”. I didn’t mind the constant feeding, bathing, and combing of the hair. But it has become too much for me. He is in his sixth year and I still have problems with the clean up. Are they ever really potty trained? Will there ever be a day when I don’t have to do something in that regards? I don’t know what to do.

We are going on a few trips this summer and have contemplated leaving him home with enough food and water to get him through our absence but, I truly feel that something must be done before then. He deserves a good home with people who will show him the proper affection, the affection we used to have the time and energy to share. Though I know the separation will be difficult for him as well as the rest of my family, I firmly believe that we will be able to move on and heal if he were to go to a good home. He should be placed with a God fearing family who will treat him as the beautiful and masterful creation that he is. I could not choose just anyone to help find a place for him.

I am not sure of the next step but have attached a photo for your consideration and can also send one electronically so that he can be included on your adoption websites. I know that
adoption is the best way to go in this impossible situation. I know from reading your testimonials that you can and will find a loving place for him.

Thank you for your time and efforts.

Sincerely,

Rebecca

Disclaimer: To all you pet lovers that may be reading this: This was in no way intended to do or cause harm, but merely for the shock and entertainment value. In fact, Bear, himself, thought it was pretty funny:)!

Tuesday Musings #1

How many jobs have you had and what was your favorite one?

Wow! This is a loaded question and I will have to dive into the deepest recesses of my mind in the hopes of remembering each and every job - there really were quite a few but I am proud to say that I was never fired from any of them:) That should count for something, right? Anyway - I've wanted to memorialize this for some time so now is as good a time as any...
1. Dial-A-Burger - yes, you read it right...Dial-A-Burger. And it was exactly what it sounds like...fast food delivery for burgers and fries. It was a fun job, I was 15 1/2 and I got to work with a few friends of mine...some who are probably reading this! Ok, yes, I babysat, but this is the first taxed income I ever made. This job paid my car insurance so that I could occassionally drive the Astro van...when it wasn't already in use.
2. Yogur-Mania - Frozen yogurt, all the toppings you could want, and soup and sandwiches made to order. Oh, it was good!
3. Edwards Theatres - Concessions and cashier...this job had some great benefits (free movies and popcorn) and by the time I was a cashier, my pervert boss would extend these benefits to my friends so long as they were decent looking (which of course they all were)! I worked here through half my junior year and my entire senior year.
4. Norco Medical Group - During my senior year (yes, I had two jobs), I worked as a medical records clerk, pulling, copying, and transferring medical files - lots and lots of paper - five days a week for 4 hours a day.
5. Nordstrom - Childrens Shoes. This was a great job as Nordstrom is one of the best paying retail jobs out there and a great company to work for. Unfortunately, I got this job at the end of my senior year and I left in August for Ricks college. You know, I considered sticking around thinking I had it pretty good working there...good thing I came to my senses!
6. AppleOne - Temp agency. The summer after my freshman year I was placed at Allstate Insurance to handle part time reception and work in their mailroom. The only thing good about this job was that my weekends were free...but I was bored out of my mind! I guess this is the closest I've come to being laid off or fired. Heather and I took a week's vacation in Hawaii that September and when I got back they had replaced me...oh well. Temp work waits for no one!
7. Grease Monkey - I was the cashier at a 10 minute oil and lube place. It was grimy and the guys I worked with were even grimier but they were fun and we played a lot of rummy.
8. Souplantation - Cashier and salad bar hostess. This job woke me up and made me realize that I really had to go back to school (I had taken the fall semester off thinking I'd just go to school locally - that did not work out so well and I was back up at Ricks that January).
9. Olive Garden - Server. This job was great fun...maybe because I spent so much time trying to get off early so that Rebecca and I could leave and go out playing instead of sticking around to make the much needed money. Oh well. They do have the best bread sticks!
10. Nanny - Provo, UT. Ok, not officially - meaning I did not get a paycheck. I lived with my cousin and babysat for my rent. That counts, right?
11. MTA Trucking School - Receptionist. One of the strangest jobs I've had...or maybe it was just the people I worked with. Ask me sometime and I'll tell you a story of counterfeit pee and a ziploc bag...
12. Sears Call Center - This job I hated the most! Two days a week from 5am-10am. Couldn't be a more depressing job! I only lasted a couple of months...or maybe less??
13. Galaxy Diner - I was a "dancing" server. Yes, we had to dance to Greased Lightening whenever someone put it on the juke box. This I loathed and I didn't much like the late hours and crappy tips but all in all the pay was decent for Provo.
14. TGI Fridays - This was my favorite serving job! Good thing, because I worked here off and on (mostly on) for the next 5 or 6 years. We wore the crazy hats and tights with buttons galore on our suspenders. Sometimes I looked like a freak but that was the charm of the job and as for a social life - there is no better place to be in a college town if you have to work nights and weekends. We had so much fun and honestly, I was really good at it (if I don't say so myself:)), so really it was just a party!
15. Eclipse Marketing - Atlanta, GA selling pest control door to door. Wow does this pay well....that is if you last long enough and can handle the rigors of the job. I could not, however, and lasted merely a month before I threw in the towel....which leads us to job #16...
16. Orkin Pest Control - That's right. I quit and went looking for another job (knowing I would also have to find a new place to live but wanting to stay in Atlanta). Orkin offered me a job killing the bugs rather than selling the service. Strangely enough, I really enjoyed this gig. I can tell you some great "bug" tales but overall, the freedom of the job was enough to keep me happy for the summer. Besides, I really loved Atlanta and the olympics were there too!
17. Afterschool Program Asst. Director - This was an afternoon job with the elementary school kids that I worked alongside my TGI Fridays job. It paid a little but the hours were for one of my two required internships needed for graduation. I was just grateful it paid minimum!
18. Recreation Intern - Amelia Island Plantation, FL. #2 of the required internships. I spent the entire summer on a little coastal island in northern Florida. Is was interesting...to say the least. I have many stories from this experience and there were many life-lessons learned.
19. Dentrix/Easy Dental - This was, once again, one of my two jobs. I continued to work at Fridays but worked this one as the office/weekday gig (I had graduated at this point and had a lot of bills!). I handled everything for their electronic claims...a little bit of sign-up, set-up and some computer support.
20. TGI Fridays in California - I just couldn't get enough of it back in UT! I also worked an assortment of temp jobs and some permanent that I hated enough to quit after a week or two.
21. FAI - Brea, CA - Receptionist to Project Manager for a computer services/consulting company. Not the best time of my life though I matured A LOT and I met my husband. I guess I have some bitter sweet memories.
22. Telelogic - Irvine, CA - High end project management software company where I handled licensing and pre and post sales support. This was the best job I ever had! It was a miracle I landed it and it continued to be an incredible blessing in my life. I gained an immense amount of self confidence and felt fulfilled in my work and accomplishments there. Plus, they paid really well and the benefits were unparalled. Needless to say, it was difficult to leave.
23. Ahhhh, the best job of all! Mommy! Since pretty much my entire blog is spent on this job - what more do I have to say?...I know you are all thanking me:)