An Ending

I can't help but wonder - was she too happy? Did I bring her bad luck by calling her a bus driver extraordinaire? There is a Norwegian philosophy about things going so well that something bad is bound to happen. And it has. Our DD lost her job as a bus driver because she scraped a sheriff's car with the bus late Saturday afternoon while making a right hand turn. The car was at an angle into the street while handling a traffic stop or something and she thought she had enough room but didn't. I don't have all the details but then again they don't matter at this point. She feels she's let everyone down, is embarrassed and very sad. She loved the job and tried so hard. I guess it wasn't meant to be but it's hard right now for her to hear that. Logistically speaking she now needs to get a new job - quickly - and we will help make sure she doesn't lose her place. I think I'm going to take a blogging vacation for a bit. It's time to circle the wagons.

The Bus Driver

Last month I promised DD a new hairdo to celebrate her first-year anniversary. It had been three years since her last haircut and she wanted a new "do." As badly as she wanted one, she was nervous about going. Finally she reached the point where she didn't care what was done to her hair - she just wanted a change. Ta-Da! Her hair was cut yesterday and this is The Change. She is so happy with her new look! Bus driver extraordinaire.

According to Fortune magazine, these are actual resume blunders:

"I demand a salary commiserate with my extensive experience."
"I have lurnt WordPerfect 6.0 computor and spreadsheat programs."
"Received a plague for Salesperson of the Year."
"Reason for leaving last job: Maturity leave."
"Wholly responsible for two (2) failed institutions."
"Failed bar exam with relatively high grades."
"It's best for employers that I not work with people."
"Let's meet, so you can 'ooh' and 'aah' over my experience."

Bada bing!

She's older than she's ever been...and now she's even older...

I love, love, love birthdays! This one has been particularly sweet! I've been experimenting with a four-day work week and will now make it permanent. Gives me a little more play time. BTW - I took today off and the market was up over 200 points. Hmmmm, maybe I'll take next week off and see what happens.

Compliments of Amy, I'm now going to eat my virtual carrot cake cheesecake. Virtual calories so everyone, help yourself.

And he's from Big D....

"Grandma?"

"Yes, Dallas?"

"Can you come to Texas and get me and take me to California when school's out?"

"Dallas, you're coming to California at the end of the month with your other Grandma. Can you wait a little longer?"

"I guess so but I want you to come and get me so I can get there sooner."

"Should I talk to your mother about that?"

"No. I guess I have to wait 'cause she already has the tickets."

"Then I think it's probably best if you wait too."

So our 10-year old Texas grandson will be here fairly soon but not soon enough. Last year his mother said she would let him live in California with his dad (our son) if he worked hard in school and got good grades. He did and now time will tell if he moves out here.

He lives with his mother, step-dad, half-sister and a veritable zoo assortment of animals (lemurs, geese, pigs, chickens, horses, dogs, cats, and goats to name a few) but misses his dad. His other grandma is retiring this year and may move to Texas so he will have her nearby. It sounds like a pretty good life for a kid but he misses his dad. But if he lived here, wouldn't he miss his mother and Texas lifestyle? No easy decisions here.

Last year when family friends drove him to California he brought me a kitten for my birthday. This was not a wanted present - in fact when he told me about the kitten before he left Texas, I reminded him we couldn't have one because of our dog. He held the kitten all the way and when DH saw it, he let Dallas know he didn't want a kitten. Dallas told him it wasn't for him, it was for his grandma. So........I kept the kitten he'd named SnowBelle, renamed her Samantha and she's been the best birthday present ever. Having a cat is new to me and she's been a constant source of delight, entertainment, exasperation and love. I learned I'd always wanted a cat.

Memories

We had lots of fun singing this song when we were kids. We didn't sound like They Might Be Giants but we sang with enthusiasm.

Recalling our road trips of years past reminded me of the Burma Shave signs. We got so excited every time we saw one and read them out loud and in unison. I found some of the old slogans and think they're still entertaining:

Around the curve
Lickety split
It's a beautiful car
Wasn't it?
Burma Shave

She put a bullet
Through his hat
But he's had
Closer shaves than that
Burma Shave

Slow down pa
Sakes alive
Ma missed
Signs four and five
Burma Shave

Within this vale
Of toil and sin
Your head grows bald
But not your chin
Burma Shave

Drinking drivers
Nothing worse
They put the quart
Before the hearse
Burma Shave

Thirty days
Hath September
April, June
And the speed offender
Burma Shave

Simpler times - we were easily amused.