High Hopes and Low Expectations

I am still unemployed and well...I don't really mind it.  Hubby and I have decided to keep the girls home this summer (no summer camp unless I get a job) and I have, to quote Eeyore, "High Hopes and Low Expectations".

I'm hoping to continue their learning this summer with at least half hour sessions every other day.

I'm hoping to start a chore schedule which will include:  making beds, setting/clearing tables, emptying bathroom garbage cans, etc.

There is a man in the neighborhood who teaches tennis lessons at his home.  His gives free lessons to the people in the neighborhood so all three of us will be taking lessons (if my knee/hip can keep up).

I have signed the girls up for swimming lessons as well.

I will most likely be staining the deck this summer as well as repainting the posts on the front porch.

Do you like valances or drapes for windows?  This goes along with the thousands of ideas for the house I have running thru my head...which include board and batten and stenciling in the hallway and making everything more light and airy.

I hope to spend at least one day a week at the beach this summer.

I cut my hair even shorter last week.

Both girls got bangs.

I think that's all I've got in me right now.

I'm including some pictures from our Mother's Day trip to Baltimore.  I will have more but I need to edit them.

TTFN

Kristen

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More pictures

Hope you enjoy.

Picture Thursday

Best.Day.Ever

Grace had no school on Tuesday so we had a special mommy and me day.  She needs that occasionally.    Just some special time, the two of us.

I thought and thought about what to do.  She wanted to go to the aquarium but honestly, I wasn't in the mood to drive to Camden.

So, we went to the beach, Point Pleasant Beach and the boardwalk.  There is a small aquarium there that we hadn't been to in years. 

Needless to say, Grace was so excited.  The aquarium was crowded with school tours but we made out ok.  There was also a film crew from Ocean County College.  We watched thru the window while they were filming about a snake and saw a penguin walking around.  When they were done, the girl brought the penguin to the window and let us take a close look. 

We stayed at the touch zone for a while and touched a sting ray and a shark.  Then we watched a staffer get a blue and gold macaw out to film another segment.  That's when they told us if we were really quiet, we could go in and watch them film!  After that, they asked us if we wanted to be on TV and film us!  We said yes!  Not sure when or if it's going to air but.....how cool is that??!

The staff was great, giving Grace treats and even FREE tickets to come back in the summer when the penguin exhibit is open again!

We left the aquarium, got a soft pretzel and went onto the beach.  We ate our pretzels watching the waves and then went in and played in the FREEZING cold water.  Even made a new friend.

Honestly, it was the BEST DAY EVER with Grace.

I'll be bringing Ava back new week I think!

What do I want to be when I grow up?

So, three weeks ago I lost my job.  Now...I didn't want to work anymore anyways...but that's just not a reality for my hubby.  I need to find a job.

I've been in finance by mistake, for 15 years now and I haven't liked it since day one.  I'm not a numbers person.  I'm a person person.  I'm more visual, creative.

But what does one do when they have spent a significant portion of their adult life in a profession they don't like? 

How can I combine what I know...with my need for creativity?  And still earn a hefty salary?

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

TTFN

Kristen

Cha-Cha-Changes.......

That title is bad I know...but it's been what's going on around here.

A week ago Tuesday I suddenly, and somewhat unexpectedly, lost my job.  I was called into the conference room and the door closed behind me.  I broke out in hives.  I was told that they needed to upgrade my job and that they had hired a CPA who could do my job and the hired out CFO's job and they couldn't afford to keep me around.  They told me to take an hour, clean out my personal affects and bye bye.

WHAT?  WHAT? 

Sh!t, I just lost my job.  What am I going to do?

On top of all this is the drama going on with Hubby's family.  Dad had knee replacement surgery and was in rehab.  Mom finally fessed up about chest pain and shortness of breath and was found to have clogged arteries.  A week ago today she had three stents put in.  Sister went down to help out and ended up in the ER with severe abdominal pain and then in surgery that night to remove a cyst on her cervix.  Hubby flew down on Monday and is finally flying back home today.

We have pulled A out of daycare three days a week and G is out of the am and pm program at school and is taking the bus every day.

A wears me out.  Completely.  A needs my attention all.day.long.  And she whines......UGH.  However, I apparently wear her out too but she went to bed with no problems yesterday and slept until almost 8am this morning.

Now I have to try to figure out what I want to do when I grow up.  UGH, I'm 41 and have no idea.  I'd love just to be able to stay home thru the summer....and then figure something out but I don't think that will fly with hubby at all.

I'm tired of taking a job just to make money.  I want to enjoy what I do and make money at it.  I need to be creative.  But what do I do?  UGH!!!!!  WHAT DO I WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP!!!???????

SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!!

And now I'm trying to find out about unemployment since I am still being paid thru the company thru April.