Don't Forget to Feed the Goldfish

The results of the interview: not sure yet but it sounded positive. She made it sound like as long as my references checked out, that I would be called in for an orientation. If I do get the job, I'm considering a few options. But first, I need to talk with the other parent in our household to see if he agrees.

This morning, Jesse sees me dressed up (something that does not happen unless I'm headed to a wedding or a company Christmas party). She inquires why I am doing such a bizarre thing at such an ungodly hour.

"I have an interview for a job today."

"Ooooh, ooooh. What kind of job??"

"Working with elderly people to help them do things like go grocery shopping, or cleaning their house, or cooking for them."

"Why would you want to do something like that? Old people are just like goldfish. Once you get attached to them, they die."

(Anyone want to borrow this child for a while to brighten your days with joy?)

Anyhow, the interview went rather smoothly......not counting the part where I forgot my print out of my references and previous employment.....ran back to the car (this after getting to the area an HOUR before my appt.....doh....only to find that I had left it at home....doh....thank goodness for the cell phone memory feature). It's been so long since I've had an actual interview that I forgot the part where they ask you questions about yourself and you are then expected to brag about, none other than, yourself. I have a really hard time with this. Somehow I managed to pull a few tricks out of my bag. The interviewer asked, "What three qualities do you posess that you would consider beneficial to this job?"

"Compassion, patience, and a sense of humor."

Her response let me know I had pulled it off this time. Whew!!!

Now, no more talking about it so I don't jinx anything.

Crossing my Fingers

Since our bank account is feeling rather parched lately, I am going for a job interview tomorrow. I haven't given up hope on starting my daycare back up again. It is truly my calling. I love it and have spent a lot of time imagining myself enjoying any other job more than caring for children. I can't come up with one. So I will continue to advertise and try to get some "word of mouth" going. In the meantime, I would like to contribute to this family in a financial way again.

While browsing through the classifieds, I was attempting to find something with flexible hours. Mostly because I now have to drop off and pick up Jesse at school (remember the school levy not passing and now my daughter is no longer allowed to ride the bus even though there is a bus stop at the end of our street......still not over that one).

The job I'm interviewing for is working with the elderly. I figure it's pretty similar to children. Helping with bathing and personal hygiene. Doing laundry. Running errands. Shopping for their food. Entertaining/ companionship.

It actually sounds like something that I could enjoy. Wish me luck.

An Eye Opener

You know how sometimes you feel compelled to do something even though it feels a little strange or goes against what seems right? On Friday, I did get a seat at the Celebration of Life for Gerald Levert. It was something I'll never forget, for many reasons. Most of them I can't put into words. I will admit that I barely knew who Gerald was before hearing of his passing. He was the singer (and co-writer) of the song, "Casanova" back in 1987. Other than that, I was mostly going to see the other celebs perform. If I had known ahead of time what it was going to be like, I may have stayed home. I'm glad I didn't.

I showed up in downtown Cleveland with plenty of time to park and walk the few blocks to the Civic Center. Silly me decided to find a parking spot as soon as I reached the downtown area (I basically panicked and was saying over and over in my head....must. find. first. parking. available. parking. space. ). And so I did. And so I walked a bajillion miles to the Civic Center (leaving my gloves, hat, and scarf behind of course) in freezing cold temperatures with the wind blowing ferociously off of Lake Erie. But I was thankful for it.

As I approached the building, I saw a sea of black. I immediately felt out of place. Not because I was one of the only white people in the vicinity, but because almost every one of the thousands of people in line were wearing black and decked out in their Sunday's best. I had wondered, earlier that morning, what would be the appropriate attire to such an event. What I didn't realize, was how much of a memorial service it would be. But I in no way was the only one dressed in jeans. So all was well. (And later on I would discover that I was dressed fancier than even Stevie Wonder.)

Among the speakers, were all of Gerald's close family and friends. His parents (dad Eddie of the O'Jays), his siblings, his children (heart wrenching). Usher spoke, but didn't sing (dang, he's fine). Bryan McKnight spoke, but didn't sing (ditto on the dang comment). Stevie sang.....it was utterly beautiful. If I never hear him perform live again, I will die happy. He's one of those people that is on my Must See List. Angela Winbush sang beatifully. I still don't know if I've heard any of her previous work, but she reminded me of Aretha and Patti. Speaking of Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle, they did not show.

Stevie's performance was so touching, I was crying through part of it (of course, I was crying through part of all the performances....big mush). While he was singing, Gerald's father was sitting right next to him and either hugging on him or spontaneously singing along. You could feel the love even way in the back of the auditorium. He said he almost didn't make it there, having sat on the tarmac for 5 hours and the airport losing his luggage (causing him to wear a fuzzy sweat outfit). But he said that God didn't care what you were dressed in (even though you KNOW he wanted to be dressed to the hilt for the occasion).

Since coming home Friday evening, I have been doing a lot of thinking (not that I don't any other time, but you know what I mean). The overall consensus from all the family and friends that got up and spoke was that Gerald was one of the most geniune people you'd ever meet. I realize that most people speak grandly of someone who has just passed. Especially in front of a large crowd and if it's being broadcast on TV and radio. But every single person that spoke of him, had a different story to tell of how he would literally give them the shirt off his back. He would do ANYTHING for someone. And how he treated people with respect, even the people at the bottom of the totem pole. The ones that most people don't even think about when they reach stardom.

So, my new motto, whether anyone has ever thought of this in these particular terms is........Do what makes you happy, but just remember to be kind, gentle, and respectful along the way.

R.I.P. Gerald Levert

I'm headed to Cleveland this morning to attend the musical tribute to Gerald Levert. I hope I can get in and find a seat. Some of the listed performers will be Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, and Aretha Franklin. Wish me luck!

(If you're going too, throw me a wave and a "hi!")

The Questions of Life

This is what my daughter is asking the Magic Eight Ball this morning instead of getting ready for school.


Is Abby (our cat) a mutant? Better not tell you now.
Is Abby a robot? It is certain.
Is that van red? Yes, definitely.
Is Abby an alien from a foreign universe? You may rely on it.
Does dad really love mom? Most likely. And is he cheating on her? Not likely.
Does Zack like me? Yes, likely.
Does Miljan like me? Yes.

She's really creeped out now.

Check List

1. Check
2. Check
3. Check
4. Check
5. Check
6. Nope
7. Nope
8. Nope
9. Nope
10. Check
11. Check

To Do List for Sunday

1. Not sleep in til noon.
2. Eat something yummy yet nutritious for breakfast, preferably with protein for muscle strength.
3. Go for a walk/jog, whether it's raining or not.
4. Pry up the gazillion floor boards in the attic.
5. Spread out the gazillion remaining rolls of insulation that makes you itchy no matter how long your shirt sleeves are.
6. Do something fun, possibly a board game?
7. Call my sister to finally thank her for my birthday present.
8. Put the cover back on the pool again.
9. Play with the bunnies.
10. Irritate the cats.
11. Bore people around the globe with my silly list.

Things to Think About the Next Time You Vote

1. Children should have a nice, safe bus to ride to school. With today's economy, it is almost impossible for families to have a stay-at-home parent. So when the children are released at 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon and both parents are still at work, what are happening to those kids that live within 2 miles of the school? Are they to walk home alongside a roadway where the speed limit is 45 mph and vehicles are traveling 50-55 mph? Are they to walk to their daycare because the busses will no longer deliver them there?

2. No child should have to worry about whether or not they will have art , music, or gym class. No child should have to witness their beloved art teacher with tears brimming in her eyes while she tells the children of her impending doom.

3. No child should have to "pay to play" any sport or music program. Do you realize how many children that play sports or are a member of the band, continue to keep their grades up so they can continue to participate in these programs? How many of these children come from families that cannot afford to pay the $300 per sport participation price? My guess is quite a few. My guess is these are the same kids that will drop out of school if they have no incentive to attend.


As you can probably guess, our local school levy did not pass. The third try was not a charm. If we don't put money into the schools, then we are giving up on society in general. The trickle down effect will be much greater than anyone can fathom.

Shoes, Blues, and Too Much Booze

Has anyone else ever noticed that weddings can be way overdone with the people involved losing sight of what the event is supposed to truly be about? Sometimes all you can do is hope for the best, but sadly expect the worst. I tend to be optimistic while everyone else around me is looking at everything that can go wrong. This weekend was no different.

The Great Shoe Fiaso

I decided to go with the strappy shoes until the reception. At this time I did a shoe wardrobe change. Problem solved. Happy feet.

Blues

I always set myself up for dissapointment. Why do I do this to myself? I should know by now that my partner is not going to willingly take me out on the dance floor. So when the DJ begins to play a slow song and Jesse asks, "Aren't you guys gonna go dance?" and I get the "do I have to" look and "I guess I'll go out there with you," comes out of his mouth, then forgive me if I'm not melting in my shoes. Forgive me if I want someone to dance with that doesn't feel obligated to do so. Forgive me if my response did not come across too well and resulted in my obligated partner offering to take the kids to the room and subsequently falling asleep.

Too Much Booze

If you don't know already, I'm not a boozer. The most consecutive alcoholic drinks I have ever had were 3. Total. You know what works really well every time tears start to well up? Another glass of beer from the open bar. My cousin (who was paying the outrageous bar tab) wanted to get his money's worth. I was not going to let him down. Every time I had a few gulps left in my glass, he was there coaxing me to chug it down so he could go get me a refill. I felt like I was attending a college party. The only thing missing was the chugging funnel. The amazing part.....no hangover, not even the slightest hint of a headache. I'm not ready to tempt fate and make this a habit.

Onto the fun part.

My first dance partner: my cousin's wife's brother
First thing he says to me on the dance floor: "I'm probably THE only gay man that can't dance." He was right. The man had no rhythm whatsoever. But he was very gracious. Later he was talking about his relationship with his partner, "We do everything together except dancing." Mental picture would not leave me for a while.

My second dance partner: my cousin
Many beers into the evening and once the 20-somethings started bumping and grinding dirty dancin' style, he decides to ask me if I'd like to dance. Sure. He has no rhythm either, but we had fun bopping around to some tunes. It wasn't until a slow song came on that things turned a little creepy. Unless I am dancing with my honey, I like to have lots of personal space between me and whomever else is with me on the floor. Especially if that someone is family. So when I was pulled in just a tad too close (ok.... a LOT too close) and I hear, "You smell really good," I began to worry.

Rox: "Gee thanks."
Cuz: "Oh, by the way, I'm not hitting on you."
Rox: "That's good. I was starting to worry."
Cuz: "Man, I've been married WAY too long."

No more slow dances for me. Not enough beer in the joint and I'm not into the whole kissing cousins thing.

Next dance partner: my cousin's wife and the groom
The DJ announced that this would be the last slow song of the night. My cousin was persuaded to dance with the bride by his wife. We're standing there, not much to do, when she suggests, "Hey, it's the last dance.....(motioning with her arm to the dance floor). Sure. Why not. So we start to dance. I assume the man's hand position with my hands resting on her waist. A few moments later her son, the groom, comes over to introduce a friend of his to his mom. After introductions were made, he offers to dance with me. "I just wanted to switch things up a bit." He procedes to thank me for making the trip. I admitted that it felt strange coming to his wedding since we really didn't know him. But I told him that I knew it meant a lot to his dad (maybe too much....heehee). While we were talking and dancing (and he thoughtfully kept his distance), I noticed that his eyes were completely bloodshot and he smelled as if he had been syphoning gasoline out of every vehicle out in the parking lot. Ever notice how people can be brutally honest when they're blitzed?

Groom: Looks at the ring on his finger, "It's too late now," shaking head.
Rox: "..................."

I hope it all works out for the best.

Hmmmm.......Comfy or Sexy?

This weekend we will be driving 8 hours one way to attend the wedding of my cousin's son. It should be interesting since I don't really know the groom. Last time I saw him (the first and only time) he was 12 or 13 years old. I'm not one of those people that likes to attend weddings of people that I don't know. In fact, when I got married, I did not want anyone there that did not know Ron or I personally. So I am going against my beliefs with this one. The main reason why.....my mom will be there. Even though I've been able to visit with her quite frequently in the past year and a half since we moved, I don't know when the next opportunity will come. Also, two of my uncles (mom' bros) will be there and I don't get to see them very often. Also, my mom said that it would mean a lot to my cousin to have us there. Apparently the bride's family is affluent (the dinner is $38 a plate....kids are not invited). My cousin and his wife (parents of the groom) were feeling left out of all of the wedding plans. They were invited to help out by taking over the bar tab. This required them to pay $5000 up front. Cha-ching! They are planning on taking all partially used bottles of liquor home with them. We may come home with some leftovers, too. Will update you soon on that one.

So, on to the important stuff. I need your help again, my dear internet friends. I am not fashion savvy.....AT ALL. I purchased one pair of black dress pants, a purple dress shirt, and then a few days later a black skirt. I think I've decided on the skirt (with the help of Jesse my fashion consultant). The portion of my wardrobe that I need help with is my shoes. Yes, I said SHOES! I have an old pair that I've depended on for many occasions (purchased at Payless Shoe Source eons ago). They are comfy and dependable (meaning if there is dancing to be had, I can actually participate without twisting my ankle and falling on my face). The other pair was recently purchased and I'm not quite sure how they will fare with any sort of activity level. But they are quite a bit more sexy.

So......what do you think?

"He" Sucks

Have I said this before? I HATE BLOGGER!

I have a fashion dilemma and blogger is not there to support me! Hopefully in the next 2 days he will let me upload photos so I can ask y'alls' advice. Note: I did refer to blogger as a "he" because if it were a "she" I would be able to post my photos.