Friday, July 11, 2008

Working Girl...

Yep! You read that title right! I'm a working girl again! I'm so excited. AND, to top it off, they called me Wednesday and offered me the job.

Huh? A Wednesday? Well, not just any Wednesday. It was my MOM'S birthday! Even though I had no gift to give her, this was an AWESOME gift.

I start on Monday morning. My schedule? 8am - 3pm with an hour lunch. Not full-time? Nope. But that's okay. When school starts for Cassi, I'll be able to get her after school and be able to help her with her homework still.

I'm getting what I asked for on my application. I didn't want to over power them with a suggested salary that was way out of line for the position. Of course I am worth every penny to ask $25 an hour an up for working, but since this IS an administrative position AND this IS only 3 miles from my house, what I asked for was enough (OK, it's NEVER enough. But, I'll take it.). Plus, I'm doing freelance work too that is paying quite well. Actually, I didn't really have to take this job at all, but my freelance work won't keep me busy all day. This will and will be extra money to pay off bills, especially since I'll be getting that WONDERFUL student loan bill for my Christmas present this year.

But, this morning, I had to go to a medical site to "pee in a cup" and have a physical. The physical part was easy. I've never had to have a physical before. I've only ever had to "pee in a cup" when I worked for the post office (LOOOOOONG time ago as a temporary). So, I got up this morning, went over to my new office, and got the papers. Then, I went to the medical site. By the time I got there, I had to pee. So. I did. Not enough. Rob's outside laughing is butt off because he said I was having "pee fright" (pain in the #####*****). So, while I was waiting for the physical part because it was really busy, I drank: 8 8-oz cups of water (hmm, got my quota for today), some Mt. Dew (because I just couldn't drink any more water), and a cup of hot tea. Let me just say by the time I drank all that and had my physical, I REALLY had to pee. In fact, I FILLED the cup. Yeah! But, I also had to pee 3 more times after. Shew! And my tummy was sore because I hadn't eaten yet.

The doctor cleared me. I showed him my hearing aids. He liked them and couldn't believe how small they are.

Cassi called me Wednesday night while I was out scrapping for extra cash. Didn't hear the phone and got the message from her. "Congratulations on the new job, mom!" Cassi's not home this week. Because it's my mom's birthday, she always takes the whole week off work. And dad did too. So, Cassi has been there. But, after I called her back, she was worried about who would watch her. I told her for most of the time, she would be with daddy. That response made her worried because daddy doesn't let her play with her friends. Mommy lets her do more things than daddy does. I assured her that she would be able to play with her friends and she would have someone good to watch her. Dan already said on the days that he's off (Tuesday-Thursday) when Rob works during the week, she can go there so she can play with Alexis. I offered to pay him but he said no. That's so nice of him. The only days I would need to pay would be when Cassi has to go to someone else's house on Mondays and Fridays. As soon as I explained it to her, she was happy. But, Rob also told me he was looking at taking her to a pool that has lots of water slides near here next week. Good for him!

Oh, I mentioned the scrapping. For a while now, we've noticed guys in beat up trucks riding around our city with scrap metal in the backs of their trucks. If you haven't heard, metal recycling prices have increased dramatically recently since the value of the dollar is down. In my area alone, aluminum (like cans) is 70 cents a pound. Rob and Dan go out when Rob's not working in the evenings and finds scrap from the garbage lines. No, this is not illegal in this area. They've been finding quite a nice amount of scrap for extra cash. This has really come in handy. But, we've also gotten stuff that we've kept too. Rob's gotten a gas-powered weed whacker. I've gotten a new resin table (looks in excellent shape), a pair of solid brass lamps for the living room (just need new shades), a cook book, resin chairs, and a pair of white boards for Cassi to draw on. From the money I made with Dan on Wednesday night, we used the money last night. Wonder where?

Last night, we had tickets to see the Indians. It has been since before Cassi was born that we've been to see them play. Was a good night, but the seats were in no man's land, the upper deck. We took some of the money and bought Cassi an Indian's t-shirt (in pink) and a red cushion finger. Then, at the game, daddy went and bought her two baseballs. We brought along her baseball mitt (played t-ball before). She was so mad because she wanted to catch one that went foul. We were in a bad spot to get one. But, she was happy after daddy bought them for her though. She went up and down at least four times. The usher laughed every time one of us went up and down with her. She said she wants to go again, but she wants to be closer to the field. Hmm. We figured she wouldn't enjoy it. But, she did. I think come next summer she'll want to play baseball again. We'll see.

OK. Had lots to say. There's lots more, but they'll wait for now. I've got photos to share from other events over the last two months, but really haven't had time to talk about them.

Lots of love to all,
Cathy
8^ )

Friday, July 04, 2008

Time to Talk About Others...

Haven't done this in a while. Thought I would be good...

TIMES HAVE CHANGED!

I just peeked on my step-daughter's my space site...

she's
PREGNANT!

She must have so little respect for herself and her body to become pregnant. But, leave it to the mom to allow this to happen:

1. allowed her to quit school (just turned 17)
2. allowed boyfriend to move in with them (committed statutory rape because supposedly he's 19 and she's minor)
3. allowed her to have sex with him and allowed her to get pregnant!

Guess what? I DON'T want to be a grandmother. Don't care what anyone says. I will become a grandmother, if and WHEN Cassi grows up and becomes an ADULT. Once she's married and stable in her relationship will I become a grandmother.

I just sent a text message to Rob. Wonder what he will say???!!!

At this point, I will not call her names. Everyone can imagine what I am thinking of her right now. Just won't say it out loud! Not impressed with the immature so-and-so!

Cathy
8^ (

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Things I did today...

Gotta get this list out. I can't BELIEVE how much I actually did today. Here we go:
  1. folded 2 loads of laundry (washed them yesterday)
  2. cleaned bathroom (toilet, sink, floor, and tub)
  3. took shower curtain to washer and washed it, then put it back
  4. took floor mat for bathroom down and washed (still sitting on washer air drying)
  5. dust mopped and vacuumed kitchen
  6. washed a load of dishes (emptied and filled dishwasher)
  7. went to Save-A-Lot (low-priced grocery store) for a few things, mainly normal sized corn dogs)
  8. cooked lunch of hot dogs on grill (ok Rob did that) along with making a pasta salad on stove and heated chili to go with dogs (I did that part)
  9. emptied dishwasher and refilled it this evening and ran it again this evening
  10. took out garbage
  11. watched girls (Cassi & Alexis) while Dan & Rob went scrapping
  12. made 5 packs of smokes for Rob (While I don't condone his smoking, I can't just up and tell him to quit. Plus, while I still don't condone it, I also am not thrilled to spend $35 a carton on cheap cigarettes. I would rather sit and make them for him at $20 for 2 cartons.)
  13. got accepted to do editing for a Russian-based dating site; will get first project tonight or tomorrow morning
  14. waiting on first transaction to process for LA-based global import/export biz; looking to make cash from them too (been in biz for 12 years and services 400K of customers)
  15. made a batch of granola for me (refer to earlier post)
  16. made din din for girls
  17. made a double-batch of zucchini casserole for my din din (Rob will eat leftovers when he comes home)
  18. in process of having dehydrated banana chips done (had 5 bananas over ripe that needed to have something done to them)
  19. got girls to sleep; instead of them going to dad's for sleepover, they're here and asleep on the couches
Can you believe how much I DID today? And, to top it off, I didn't even need a nap. Although, once I go lay in the bed, it's all over for me.

I think #13 and #14 helped motivate me. 13 is a monthly payment job, but I can handle that. 14 is paid per transaction at 8% commission. They've really been moving on that site, especially when they service so many clients.

But, right now, I'm on a good streak (wanted to say steak, but wrong thought). The veggies are looking quite nice in the garden. We've got tomatoes starting to bud, along with zucchinis and green peppers. The watermelon is coming back. We thought it was dead, but all of a sudden it's coming back. We've also got red peppers, cucumbers, pickle cucumbers, a pumpkin, cantaloupe (good thing about spell check because I wouldn't have gotten that word right in a million years), green beans, and salsa peppers. The green bean pods didn't grow as well as we had hoped, but that's life. The cucumber plants are traveling, as well as the pumpkin. Will be nice to see a pumpkin or two come fall.

With that, gonna go for now. Need to stay awake just a little while longer. Looking at recipes now on food network. Just picked up one for home-made pancakes. Maybe I'll look at making it tomorrow.

Lots of love,
Cathy
8^ )

Granola Recipe Share...

OK. Working on some granola for myself right now. This is an AWESOME recipe I found from Alton Brown (FoodNetwork.com). I've already made 2 batches for Rob. Just can't believe how EXPENSIVE granola cereal is at the grocery store. The cheapest found so far has been $3 a box.

So, here's the recipe. Then, some notes about changes I've made (or are making as I type).

3 cups rolled oats
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup cashews
3/4 cup shredded sweet coconut
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
  1. In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, and salt. Combine both
  3. mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes,
  4. stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.
  5. Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl. Add raisins and mix until
  6. evenly distributed.
OK. So my notes. Have not used the cashews or coconut at all. Rob likes it without. When I make his, the rest of the ingredients stand. Today, as I'm trying mine, I make it his way, but added 1 cup sunflower seeds (yes, without the hard covers). Once it's done cooking, I'll add 1 cup Craisins to the 1 cup raisins.

I also think other dried fruits would work nicely in this. I eat it not as a cereal, but as a snack in a cup.

Lots of love,
Cathy
8^ )