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Friday, May 9, 2008
9:57:45 PM EDT
Dog House 4 Mom
Seems I'm a bad mom. At least I'm in the dog house ... AGAIN. The other day Kim wanted me to go to JC Penney's and check out this dress she is considering buying.
Wait, let me back up a wee bit. A few days before she bought this really cute little brown dress to wear to a wedding we will be attending. Okay, she will be attending as a guest, Sonny and I will be photographing the event for our niece as her wedding present.
Anyway, back to the first brown dress, it seems that the high heel shoes she has won't work. So, she NEEDS to either buy new shoes or a different dress. What to do, what to do!!! IF only that was the extent of our problems!
It seems I was supposed to go look at the new dress and tell her what she should do. I didn't. I didn't want to go to the mall, I didn't want to deal with people. I didn't want to do anything but spend some time at HOME.
My side of the story - Each morning I have to wake up and take Kim to work about 15 miles from home to the Army base. Then in the afternoon, I pick her up, drop her off at home or at the mall and then promptly take Sonny to work. Late at night (around 1 AM) Sonny will call and wake me up so I can pick him up from work. ALL the running back and forth is costing ME a lot of gas! I've been putting in $30.00 of gas every two days! (can you tell I'm NOT a happy camper?!?!)
*** Kim's car broke down several months ago. Sonny is SUPPOSED to fix her car ... however, with weddings, portrait shoots and bad weather nothing has progressed with the car repair. Then Sonny was in a car accident and he no longer has a car to drive. Nor can he drive because when he had the accident, his license had expired a few days before and the cop he got wasn't forgiving and threw the book at him. NOW he can't get his license until we pay about $2,000.00 in fines!
Then of course I have meetings, appointments, and shoots that I'm trying to schedule around the shuttles. Some days I just feel like I'm being pulled 101 different directions. Yesterday was such a day. I was at the point where I just needed to go home and chill.
She wasn't going to have any of that. Can we say SPOILED!?!? She gave me the silent treatment ... shhhh, I actually LIKED it! I was tired and crabby myself so, quiet was a good thing.
This afternoon when I picked her up from work she forgot about the silent treatment. ::sigh:: It was nice while it lasted! She was babbling a mile a minute about all the SIGHTS she saw at work. Uh huh, sure "the sights".
Then she started to ask "Mom, what did you ....." I turn to look at her only to see that her head is rotating in circles - almost like in the Exorcist. It was soldiers that was possessing her attention. What ever she was going to ask was forgotten!
As for me, I could only howl with laughter. I never knew how far a head could turn/rotate until this afternoon!
There was some good news today. Sonny had to go see the GI doctor for a follow up visit after he had an endoscopy and biopsy done. We were nervous yet staying positive. Sonny has a family history of throat cancer - however they were all smokers and Sonny doesn't smoke. Anyway, the results were given to us today. It seems that he had some "unusual" swelling and coloring. No cancer. WHEW! It seems he has allergies to some food.
Which is funny, as Sonny and I had already discussed that and we both were thinking along those lines before seeing the doctor. It's such a relief to know it's something controllable, now we just need to figure out what food or actually we are thinking it's a spice that is the culprit.
Anyway, that's some of what is happening over here. ::sigh::
Written by monicasmemoirs
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Sunday, May 4, 2008
8:08:55 PM EDT
Changes
Originally I had no intentions to write. Nothing is really happening. I miss my boys, I miss my granddaughters terribly!. Life goes on, as does work, all the non stop bills and the price of gas continues to go up. ::sigh::
However, something new happened this week. My daughter, Kim started a new civilian job at the local US Army base. She is very excited about this job. Not that I can imagine WHY she's so thrilled! ;-)
Previously she worked at a retirement - nursing home for the past 4 years. Her daily chores involved cleaning up poopy messes and dealing with very cranky older coworkers. None of her coworkers were in her age group, I think most were in their 40's and 50's.
A few weeks ago Kim's boss asked, "what would take to keep you here?" She knew Kim had been applying at several jobs. Kim told her that most of the jobs she was applying for paid $11.00 an hour. Right now Kim was making a whopping $8.90 an hour. The boss told her she couldn't give her that much but, would talk to HR. The next day, she told Kim they could offer her an increase and it would bring her to $9.00 an hour! Whoo Hoo - a DIME raise. Nope, that wasn't enough to keep her.
On May 1st Kim started her new job on the post and let me tell you she was so nervous, did she do the right thing? Her boss and coworkers made it sound like she was making a HUGE mistake. No more weekends off, heavy work loads, demanding mean bosses, and other horror stories.
When I picked her up after her first day, the first thing out of her mouthwas "Ohh My GAWD!" .... then she left me hanging as she slowly got into the car, fastened her seat belt and got out a piece of gum. HOW long was she going to torture me? Was it good, was it BAD?!?! This inquiring mind was dying to know ALL.
She slowly turns and faces me ... (FINALLY) with a HUGE smile and tells me she could do the job blind folded it was so easy! She gave some examples, she also liked that all her coworkers were YOUNG - all in their early 20's like herself. I LOVE that idea as she NEEDS to be around people her own age.
Then she starts telling me the REAL benefits of the job. It seems they have put my sweet innocent little Kimmie in the lodging for the single men. Through giggles she tells me about ALL the HOT young soldiers. Then how she sees them walking down the hall with just a towel on because the showers/bathrooms are not in each individual room but, one per floor.
Yes, she COULD do the job blind folded but, with those sights, WHY would she!?!? Why didn't I know about those jobs when I was her age?
*** Almost forgot, the new boss is really nice, she gets weekends off as they work rotating schedules, and the workload is LIGHT or EASY. Maybe if her former coworkers had actual experience they would know the truth. Shhh, Kim's not telling!
Written by monicasmemoirs
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Sunday, April 27, 2008
11:06:20 AM EDT
Thank-You Betty!
Before I go any further, I wanted to publicly thank Betty for plugging ... pimping my Mamarazzi journal in Magic Smoke as the guest editor. I'm not very good at this - getting attention, that may very well be why I loved photography. I could be around others yet, I was "hiding" behind a camera. I belonged there if for nothing else to document what was happening.
It had all started with my high school journalism class, I wanted to be a writer. It was in effort to impress my dad who had at one time been an editor for the New York Times. However, the teacher felt differently and wanted me as a photojournalist and handed me the camera. At first, I'll admit I was mad that I was shoved off with a camera, I wanted to WRITE. Of course, now I realize it was a true blessing what the teacher did as I certainly can't write.
After my first day out with the camera, I quickly became hooked and addicted to the camera. Maybe it wasn't for the right reasons in the beginning. See, I, a very young teen, was sent to baseball, basketball and football games and swim meets where all the good looking cool guys were. I got to photograph them, I was part of the "crowd". Even if in reality I wasn't. They never noticed the terribly shy girl behind the camera.
During my junior/senior year in high school my teacher submitted some of my work in effort to help me get a scholarship for college photojournalism program. Due to circumstances I didn't get to go despite being offered some scholarship program. At that time, I wanted to join the Navy - again it was in effort to impress my dad who had served several years before having to retire due to medical issues. I never did join and that is another story for another time!
Several years passed with no camera and I just floundered around trying to find my place in life. Met a man (using the word loosely), married him and had three beautiful children. I got another camera and once again fell in love with my camera as it preserved my own memories of my precious babies. I remember showing people my babies and most often I had compliments on the photo then my baby! WT ... ! I was showing off my babies!!
Many of you know the rest of the story, others may not, so some of this is a repeat for some who come and visit me. About 5-6 years ago I met and married Sonny. His sister and her daughter (niece) were impressed with my photography and asked if I would photograph the nieces wedding. I said "NO WAY!" I could just imagine the rift if I screwed up on such an important day Eventually, I was "bribed" with the offer of a "big" memory card for my new digital camera.
I immediately started studying the work of other wedding photographers online. Saw things I liked, didn't like and then I went to the wedding prepared to do my best. I wasn't prepared for the adrenaline rush, the excitement of the day, and once again getting totally hooked and LOVING what I was doing. It was that moment that I told myself "I'm going to become a wedding photographer!" I didn't know HOW but, I knew it was in my future!
In fact I even contacted several photographers asking if they need an assistant (even offering my services for FREE) in order to learn the business. One photographer met up with me and asked me to bring the photos I had taken. He looked them over slowly and said I needed to show enlargements of my photos. I had a little album with 4x6 prints. What he said was something about the photos being good but, I really needed to make them BIG to impress prospective customers. He didn't hire me as I had hoped. But, that's okay, I made it on my own!
Anyway, this was supposed to be ashort entry in Mamarazzi to thank Betty. Once I realized how long winded I got (see I can't write!) I decided I'd bring the entry over to my chatty journal. Now I'm going back to Mamarazzi as I have a beautiful photo of my oldest granddaughter to share. :-) Did I mention I REALLY miss my family in VA?!?!?
Written by monicasmemoirs
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Saturday, April 26, 2008
1:15:31 AM EDT
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
We are home. I wish I could say it with enthusiasm, I can't.
While I was worn out and in need of a quiet day, I also find I miss the smiles, the hugs and those busy little hands of my granddaughters that get into EVERYTHING!
The flights were good, in fact so good that Kim, Sonny and I all have a new favorite airline! We were impressed with the cheerfulness and the customer service provided by the employees at Continental Airlines. It was an airline that I rarely had to call on for problems on behalf of my customers when I worked at Expedia. After our flights, I fully understand why.
Sonny had to return home early and his return flights were on another airline. I'm sure Bridgett's husband Doug will know if I just say it was thee worst airline we had to deal with. Sonny's first flight was delayed by a couple of hours which meant he wouldn't get into his connecting city in time for his next flight. So, I told him go to the check-in counter outside of security (get a way from the long line at the gate wanting to make changes) They provided him new flights for the next day.
On Monday morning we took Sonny back to the airport at 5 AM. He had a mini tour of the USA - with stops in DC, Phoenix and finally to Seattle. He got into Seattle around 6 PM - which was 9 PM on the east coast. It only took him 14 hours to get from one end of the country to the other. He wasn't done yet! He went from the airport to work and around 2 AM (5 AM Eastern Time) he was finally home in bed. That of course was a full 24 hours after we dropped him off at the airport in Norfolk!
Kim and I returned on Continental Airlines and were once again fully impressed, meaning our first flights weren't a fluke. Oh and I learned something! I used to chew gum when landing to help alleviate the ear pressure/pain. However, I learned Lifesavers or any hard candy is a hundred times better!
We all had our first experience with Amtrak. I've been on trains in Europe but, never here in the states. Unless you want to count commuter trains and I don't count them. We LOVED the comfy seats that reclined, the leg room, and of course the meal car was handy. What I enjoyed was watching the scenery and some of the small towns.
What I didn't like was that our train was delayed about 3 hours and waiting at the train station in the most uncomfortable seats. We didn't want to stray far from those uncomfortable seats as we didn't know when our 'delayed' train would depart. Information provided was minimal. IF I had known it was going to be that much of a delay, I think I'd have gone out and checked out the Botanical Gardens or even the Postal Museum right across the street from the station.
The other form of transportation we had to deal with ... cars of course. But, we had "drivers". One driver has training with the police department and personally, I preferred keeping my eyes closed so I didn't have to see and so I could PRAY! He's always had a bit of a lead foot.
The main focus of this trip wasn't to see sights but to see our precious grandchildren and my two sons. It was a good thing it wasn't our main focus as we would've been terribly disappointed. Our first time in DC had been a weekend visit, with minimal crowds and we were more interested in looking at the monuments than going to several of the museums.
This time we wanted to take in more of the museums that we didn't get to see on our first trip. Several that were of interest to us were closed for refurbishing and those that were open had HUGE school field trip crowds that were overwhelming and spoiled the experience.
Our visit with the granddaughters didn't disappoint! We didn't know how they would react to us, if they would be accepting of us or would they be shy and have nothing to do with us. The word grandma meant nothing to them but Amelia seemed to understand the term daddy's mommy. They both seemed to know that even though they didn't know us that we loved them. After a couple hours they were cuddling up to us like they had known us all their lives. That alone made it the best possible visit!
Now I just wish I didn't miss them so darn much, not just my beautiful granddaughters but, also my two son's and their wives.
Written by monicasmemoirs
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Tuesday, April 15, 2008
11:09:53 AM EDT
See Ya Later! :-)
Time to pack and move on out the door! Hope everyone remains healthy while we are away. I've turned off the journal alerts while we are away. I've put away the "problems" of the entry below. I'm ready to go be grandma! See you all at the end of the month - maybe before from my son's computer. :-) And IF I do pop in, it will most likely be over at Mamarazzi with photographs only.
Written by monicasmemoirs
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Saturday, April 12, 2008
12:00:53 AM EDT
Little Bit of This .... Little Bit of That
The good news - Ryan has made his flights from VA to MI safely. No delays, no problems and he didn't fall asleep in the terminal while waiting for his flight. Yes, he's done that before and missed his flight because he was sound asleep just feet from the boarding gate! No, I don't let him forget that either!! :-P
The bad news - we finally did our taxes. All I can say is OUCH, it hurt! They didn't use lube or anything when .... yeah.
More bad news. Sonny was in a car accident the other day. We are now down to ONE vehicle for the three of us again. The good news - Sonny is okay! So is the person in the other car. No personal injuries. The bad news - I get to drive everyone around. New job title for Monica - Taxi Driver. Whoo hoo. NOT! Sonny gets off work at 1:30 AM and Kim goes to work at 5:30 AM. I'm one tired cookie.
Other news. Not sure if I should say anything yet or not. But, I really need some positive thoughts/prayers. On the first of April Sonny had to go to the urgent care clinic because he had a piece of beef stuck on his esophagus. They had to do an endoscope that day and blow out the chunk of meat. Lovely, I know.
Well, a few days later we got several calls - 5 to be precise asking if we made a follow up appointment, have we talked to his PCP ... and that it was important that we made an appointment as they need to discuss the biopsy. Huh? Biopsy? And you are going to leave us here HANGING!?!? So, we don't know what's happening.
I mentioned it to Sonny's mom because I was concerned after so many calls. She started to cry and told me her dad had died from cancer to the esophagus. That her dad was always choking on things. Sonny doesn't smoke, never has. Her dad was a heavy smoker. So, I don't want to jump to conclusions.
*** The appointments with the specialist have been made for the first day home from our trip.
Besides Sonny promised me LOTS of years together! So, I'm thinking positive and saying my prayers.
Good news ... we leave in a couple of days for DC/VA. I NEED the time away from problems and debt. I NEED baby hugs and kisses. I NEED to just be grandma for a bit.
Written by monicasmemoirs
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Thursday, April 10, 2008
12:32:24 PM EDT
'Spreading' News
This morning I came online and did my normal little routine, checked out the AOL alerts with a little journal reading. Not much happening here in j-land. Seems everyone must be out enjoying some nice weather. If so, can you share some sunshine with those of us in the state of Washington? Please?! Just a wee bit of sun would be appreciated.
Next I jumped over to look at the news. It's the last thing I do before starting on work for the business. This is the first thing I read in the AOL News:
Flight Cancellations Likely to Spread
By DAN CATERININICCHIA, (HOW do you pronounce that last name?!?!)
AP
Posted: 2008-04-10 11:24:05
WASHINGTON (April 10) - This week's flight cancellations by American Airlines are likely to spread to other U.S. airlines in the weeks ahead as federal regulators step up a by-the-book review of carriers' compliance with maintenance and safety orders issued in recent years.
My very first thought was "Oh thank goodness I don't work at Expedia still!" Just the other day I was almost missing the job. However after reading that headline, I was thinking about all the cranky people calling about canceled flights and how I'd be expected to magically fix all their problems - after all I personally was the one to create ALL the problems. That little bit of me that was missing the job, stopped missing it in an instant!
Then another reality hit. Tomorrow my son flies from VA to MI to see his wife for the first time since they learned her dad has cancer while he was out to sea. He is going to meet her dad for the first time. Anyway, he's flying American Airlines. It was after all the airline that I recommended as I had the least amount of problems with them when I worked in the travel industry. I always had good experiences with them as a customer too.
Second bit of reality hit. The article said it was likely to spread to OTHER airlines! Oh geesh. They better NOT think of holding this Grandma back from seeing her granddaughters! Uh oh, I MIGHT be the cranky one now! Well, I'm thinking positive for my son and for our flights. At this point, it's all I can do. ::sigh:: Wish I was rich and owned my own Lear jet! Do you know how often I'd be visiting those precious granddaughters of mine!
Last diddly, I posted some photos from our last trip to Washington DC in my photo journal. As I was looking at the CD I realized I really didn't take many photos while in DC. We were so busy running around to see as much as we could that I rarely stopped to take pictures!
Okay, now it's time for me to get to work. At least my work will be quiet and peaceful. :-)
Written by monicasmemoirs
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Tuesday, April 8, 2008
1:06:12 AM EDT
Count Down!
The count down is now in progress! One week and counting. We will be spending our first two days in Washington DC. We did it like that two years ago, with what we called an Amazing Race tour of DC. It will be another Amazing Race tour this year as we are only spending two days there before heading into VA to visit family.
Kim and Sonny are both talking about places they want to go while in DC. Me? I just want to get out with the camera and have FUN photographing anything and everything in DC! Oh and then of course, it will be hurry up and get to VA to hug those precious granddaughters of mine! :-)
Kim got us the hotel in DC. She got a wee bit impatient with me and went ahead and booked the hotel. She booked us at the Phoenix Park Hotel. It's close to a Union Station and the metro so we will be able to get around easily. :-)
We've had several people ask us if we are concerned about our airline - especially in light of three airlines going under, and then the bad customer service reports. I knew without reading the article about the customer service rankings that US Airways and United would top the list. I knew from my own first hand experience of having to deal with them while working at Expedia. Those two airlines always had me pulling my hair out!
So, I'm curious, have you ever had a really bad experience with an airline? If so, care to share the details? Lost luggage, long delays? How about really good service with an airline?
My youngest will be back in port today or tomorrow. I can't wait to talk to him on the phone again ... soon. :-)
Not much else happening around here. Just working and counting down days! :-)
Written by monicasmemoirs
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Friday, April 4, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
9:21:26 PM EDT
The Low Down
The sun is finally shining around here! :-) I had a nice peaceful day at home - a little time for reflection and working on wedding photos for the most part of the day.
So, now to share what had/has been happening in my small part of the world. For a period there it felt as if everything was falling apart. Not only for my children but, even for myself. While things aren't looking better ... YET, I'm thinking positive and know that things can only improve!
** This will be a condensed version of what's happening - there is no way I could get it all out in one entry!
My youngest son, Ryan has been out to sea. Still is. Days after his ship left, his wife got news that her daddy is dying of pancreatic cancer. I guess it was never diagnosed and has now ravished his entire body. Her mom has a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis, which makes it hard for her to take care of the father. Alicia (Ryan's wife) has rushed back to be with her daddy and to care for her parents during their time of need.
Ryan is frustrated he can't offer her support - be by her side during her time of need. He's stuck on the ship and couldn't get emergency leave. As soon as the ship gets into port he's leaving to be with her. He will get back in town in time to see us. Unfortunately, I won't get the opportunity to meet Alicia like I had hoped.
He had also informed me that now that she isn't working, money has gone from tight to unforgivingly tight. Trust me son, I KNOW the feeling.
My older son called all upset, I can't go into details at this time. In short due to trusting and depending on a person close to them, they are now $500.00 short on their rent/bills. This of course happens when I'm worried about paying all my bills! I'm robbing Peter to pay Paul. I don't like this situation at all! I can't wait for the wedding season to get into full swing!
It's most frustrating because as a parent I feel I should be there to offer support in their time of need. The only support I can offer is a shoulder to cry on, a compassionate ear and my prayers.
My daughter, she's frustrated over her work situation. She had her annual review with NO pay raise. She was told due to the recession no raises were given to employees. Yet, the big boss drives 5 expensive cars: BMW's, Porsche and a Mercedes. Maybe if he only kept ONE car he could give his employees a raise!?! Or if he stopped by lions for the property. She's been with the place for 4 years now and is only keeping up with minimum wages in our state. Not right. Anyway, she's doing a job search and hasn't had the best of luck yet.
As for myself - well, like I said, I'm robbing Peter to pay Paul. I'm thinking I better look at jobs - part time would be great. However, when summer is here I can hardly breathe with all the photography work we have. For now, we have tightened our belts as tight as it can get!
I'm half way dreading the trip to see my granddaughters. That sounds odd I know. It's the expense of travel that has me beyond worried. I shouldn't have booked the trip - not for this time of year. ::sigh:: Summers I can't because I'm too busy, winters are okay if early enough. Spring - that's when anything saved from the summer before has dwindled down to nothing. Not smart thinking on my part. I never said I was the smartest cookie in the cookie jar!
So there you have my whine and why I haven't been posting any entries and such. I truly apologize for being negative ... I try so hard to keep positive as I know there are a lot of people struggling and some are in a worse situation. Anyway, I'm done. Next entry will be more upbeat ... I promise!
Written by monicasmemoirs
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