A New Project

Hi Everyone...life is good here!  I've been busy with a multitude of activities...jogging (until I hurt my back...I can still do everything else though), hiking, trying lots of new recipes (my husband and J are loving that), finished training our puppy Jake on the invisible fence and he's thriving, get togethers with family and friends, and online Christmas shopping (I know...it's a bit early for that).

I bought a new Mac computer and love it.  I downloaded the footage I shot while on my trip to Thailand, Laos and Vietnam back in December, and used the iMovie feature on the Mac to make some movies.  I've attached one...hope you enjoy.  (You'll need to go to my playlists for songs on the bottom right and shut that off...so you can hear the music I attached to the video)

 My OCD tendencies have kicked into high gear and I've been making lots of movies.  I'd love to share one that I made of J when he was a baby...but my ex-husband is in it...I'd be afraid he would sue me or something if he ever found it somehow.  Not that it depicts him in a bad light...other than being the father of someone who grew up to have an addiction problem...like most people in the world, in some form or fashion.  Does anyone have any advice in this department?

J is doing great...except he lost his job...but he decided to go back to school in January!  He's looking for another job to hold him over until then.  His father said he would pay his living expenses if J could get loans for school.  We're not sure yet how much he qualifies for...so I'll help him if he doesn't get aid.

I'm still interviewing for a few positions.  At times I feel that I should be looking more diligently, but then these projects come up...and well I'm enjoying life.  I'm very blessed that I have money in the bank to draw from to get me through...but then I feel a bit guilty for continuing to use it...oh well...I believe I'm where I'm supposed to be right now.

Sending peace, love & joy to all of you!

A Day in the Life of a Census Taker

I've been working as a Crew Leader Assistant and also going out in the field to do Census work.  It's been interesting!  I'm lucky that the area I'm working in is very nice...some of the homes are million dollar homes.  I've probably been to about 75 houses and only encountered one lady that was somewhat beligerant.  She was quite rude and when I got to the question about picking a race...she said..."American - that white is not a race...it's a color of skin."  Towards the end she apologized and said that she just has a problem with the government.  She then remarked that she'd heard we make $60 a visit and I said "No - nothing close to that", so she asked how much I make and I told her politely that I wouldn't share that information.  I've worked with the public my whole life in some capacity and with many "difficult" bosses and co-workers, so this has been a natural fit for me.

When I approached another house, there were two dogs in the yard, a border collie and an "ankle biter".  An "electric fence" sign was posted and I stood on the sidewalk sizing up the situation as the "ankle biter" yapped away.   Less than a minute went by and I made the decision to brave it...so I walked up the driveway onto the entry sidewalk, up to the front door, while the "ankle biter" followed me...yapping.  The first thing the homeowner said was, "I guess you have to be a dog lover to have this job", to which I replied, "I watch the Dog Whisperer and I am a dog lover".  

A couple of days ago I pulled into someone's driveway because there wasn't a close parking spot and decided I wouldn't lock my car.  As I shut the door, I had a sinking feeling that I locked it out of habit...and I did...with my cell phone in it.  The home owner was very understanding and let me use her cell phone.  My husband said that there was a "valet" key that he had put under the front end of the car with a plastic tie down...thank God!

I'm still reading the one year Bible and it talks about the Census being taken way back when.  In America it's been taken since 1790!

Not sure what my next gig will be yet!