Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Summer wrap up



I had BIG dreams for this summer but a new job took our plans to a screeching halt

We didn't get everything crossed off our summer list but we had fun anyway
 
 
Sidewalk Chalk . Parks . Play dough . Build a fort . Make a craft . Legos . Hike .
Bike ride . Walk . Bonfire . Board Game . Zoo . Museum . Swim . Parade . 5K .
Feed the ducks . Library . Picnic . Lowes workshop . Play date . Bake . Fishing .
Movie night . Ice Cream . Scavenger hunt . Drive in . Aquatic center . Read .
Slip and slide . Fireworks . Bubbles . Write a story and illustrate it . Skate park .
Play in the rain . Farmers market . Day Trip . Write a letter . Wild Cat Den . Baseball .
Mississippi Mist . Family reunion . Shaved ice . Random act of kindness . Smores .
Go to a camp . Catch bugs . Learn something new . Field TripVacation . Swim .
Aquatic Center . Shoot guns . Play with friends . Grandma Camp . Ice Cream . Fishing .

You read that right... we haven't had smores yet this summer
They're better in the fall any way


Just a few pictures from this summer:

Sweet Treats is a new ice cream shop on the out skirts of town

What's a summer without beautiful nights spent at the ball park
 
Slip and slide at Grandma Camp




 I can't believe the boys are already back in school





 


Sunday, August 10, 2014

The NEW job



July was a whirlwind of a month
It was packed with VBS, Show Choir Camp, baseball tournaments, vacation and Grandma Camp
The second week of July I got a message from a friend of mine telling me her job was up for grabs
I wasn't really looking for employment
I responded back asking some questions and when I heard the pay, I jumped on it
It took days to get my application filled out
So many times I thought, what in the heck are you doing - you don't have a chance at this
All I saw were dollar signs and the thoughts of only working ONE job instead of three
I finally got the application done and dropped off at the City Hall
 
 
Fast forward to the following week
  I got a call that they wanted to set up a time for an interview
I freaked out a little because this was the week of VBS, show choir camp and tournaments
I called my mom and asked if she could be the taxi driver for that day
My interview was Wednesday at 3:30
As I waited for my time slot, the director of Parks and Rec. walked in and wished me well
{I'm certain he had a hand in all this}
Then out walks a gal who I know
She's worked dispatch for the City of Muscatine for years
My heart sank about 3" knowing she interviewed for the same position I was about to
 I just knew she had the job but I went in and gave it my all
 
Thursday morning, we grabbed some donuts and headed to VBS in Wilton
During my 10:00 break, I checked my phone and saw I had a voicemail from the City Hall
My mind raced, do I listen to it?
If I didn't get the job, I couldn't let it show - I had no idea what my emotions would be
I went in the bathroom and listened to the message
It was one of the ladies that interviewed me asking if I would give her a call
I immediately called her back and she offered me the job
I GOT THE JOB!
I would be a parking meter attendant for the City of Muscatine
 
Then all of these other thoughts started swirling around:
Oh my goodness, I won't be doing hair any more
I need to let the preschool know I won't be coming back
We're leaving on vacation next week
 
I had to pass a drug screen and a worksteps physical before I officially got the job
I did my physical on Monday morning before we left for St. Louis
I had talked to my mom about what to expect
She told me they couldn't make me do more for the physical than I would be doing on the job
I called her afterwards and told her she was a liar - It was awful
I had to lift 40lbs over my head in a wooden crate and 150lbs from the floor up
I probably could have done this once but the problem was-
they kept adding weight so I was lifting more weight every time
After all that, I had to see a physical therapist
He checked for flexibility and checked for popping of the joints
I walked out of there totally exhausted and questioning whether I passed the physical
I worried our entire vacation only to find out that Friday, I had passed
 
I started my new job on July 28th
 The first week was a challenge to say the least
The first day was great
The second day, I was told that I needed to watch what I said because the walls have ears
I thought, great, what kind of a place am I working at?
The gal that told me that had been burnt so she thought she was helping me out
Tuesday was hot, we walked 9 miles, I hadn't been sleeping well and it all just caught up with me
I was drained and didn't think this job was for me
The hubby assured me that it would get better and I needed to give it some time
I knew I was going to be out on my own on Friday
I fretted about it all day Thursday and broke down to the girl training me
She also told me to give it some time and that they didn't expect me to know everything
 
I just finished my second week and can't believe how fast it went
The weather this past week was incredible

The first week was rough
It was a huge change all around
I was learning new things {not as fast as I would have liked}
I was having mommy guilt and worrying about the boys at home
Wondering if I was really ready to hang up the shears
and
trying to be better at time management- getting things done around the house when I got off work

Throughout the day, I have lots of time to think,  pray and look for beauty all around
I work in the beautiful down town area
where there is always something to look at, people to say hello to
and just around corner I get to see the mighty Mississippi
City Hall - Home of my office
 
 The every day views walking around town

Down town apartments on Second Street
 
Apartments and businesses on Second Street

The Mighty Mississippi
 
Beautiful flowers

The Court House

The job is getting a little better every day
Thankfully the weatherman has been nice to me
 and I'm looking forward to my first paycheck this week
 
 
 
 




 
 
 
 
 
 


Friday, August 8, 2014

Grandma Camp 2014



 
A few weeks ago my mom had her 2nd Grandma Camp
My nieces were here for a week so Grandma had ALL 5 grandkids
{Spencer 11, Natalie 10, Metadel 9, Parker 9 and Miraim 6}
 
Grandma had so many fun things planned
We didn't get to do everything Grandma had planned but the kids had a blast
 
Crossed off their bucket lists:
 Panning for gold . Skipping rocks at the mill . A visit to the farm . Herbert Hoover Museum
Movie {Heaven is for Real} . Fire works . Sprinklers . Sleeping in the tent . Shaved Ice
Slip and slide . Parade . Swimming . Photo shoot . Manicures . Convertible ride 
Potato digging . Playing beads . Building blocks . Barbies .  Fishing . Crafts
Pickle ball . Water balloons . Board games . Haircuts . Bike rides . Cooking and baking


A few photos from Grandma Camp week

Pirate Day

Just hanging out watching tv

Midwestern Day
 
The kids did a lot of swimming

Fishing: Everyone caught a fish at Weed Park

Herbert Hoover Museum

Playing in the water at the Mill at Wild Cat Den

Out on the farm in Uncle Dale's tractor

Yum! Shaved ice

Art work

Potato digging in Grandma's garden

Making supper


The guys going out in the convertible for guys night

Getting manicures for princess night with the girls

Fire works

It's almost time for the Great River days parade
Notice the blue mohawks


It was a fun week with all the kids
We're looking forward to Grandma Camp next year