one week and counting. tomaro is my last day to rise with the noon day sun. after that, it'll be time to reaquaint myself with the early morning sun.
supplies have been acquired, 1st day outfuit has been established, and lunches have been discussed. Now, if only there were a downloadable software we could install to make the transition super sweet.
before we blink we'll be searching out sweaters and awaiting snow. then, wishing for spring and bemoaning the furnace of summer's sun. those elders were serious that time marches on.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
the view so far
it's already the begining of the end of summer! it's sad how fast the weeks went by. but, oh the fun we had and the shared good times with my girl are a blessing I'll keep in my pocket for many moons to come.
We started the summer with early morning swimming lessons in June which conflicted rather terribly with my new late night shift at SNS. Yet, we made do and by the 3rd week Amber learned to swim well enough to be comfortable in the pool w/o me next to her the whole time and to bravely dive off the deep end and safely swim to the edge. I turned 38 around that time and my gift to myself was the lose of 30lbs and a bathing suit one size smaller than last year.
In July, the days passed so quickly. We saw the Dalai Lama on the 17th @ UIC Pavilion thanks to the Theosophical Society and our membership to The Order of the Round Table kid's group. Our group was 1 in 12 that was picked to decorate an icon that would be placed on stage with his Holiness through the event. We got the Om which the kids and parents involved really enjoyed decorating as well as sharing what we knew and learning something new about the symbol and Hinduism. The experience of sharing the same space as the Dalai Lama was a once in a lifetime kinda thing and I'll never forget it. Amber was touched by his sense of humour, and Scott was impressed w/his view of modern world events, and I fully embraced the message of his speech on 'bridging the faith divide'.
Scott's having a rough time dealing with the loss of an old good buddy from back in the day, LJ. He died in his sleep a lil more than a wk ago and we haven't hear the whyfor or what yet. Then, Sat his laptop fell off it's table and crashed into the wall and into non working order. Wish I could think of something wonderful to do to brighten what's gotta be a horrible monday for him. He's been such a bear that I've already used up all my available good will the past 2 days. any suggestions?
So, now, it's coming and is already been spotted in the malls and super stores. dun uh, dun uh, dun uh! Beware, take cover, it is Back to school time. We've spent a few weeks at the pool, we've enjoyed the farmers' market, and our muesum passes but we are not ready for that yet. We've still got the Ren Faire, 6 Flags, Ravinia, and some camping b4 the end of summer fun gets here. Now, I've got to save all my cash to pay for school registration (which should have been done back in May but I 'm a slackermom in that regard), then school supplies, and a few fantastic BTS outfits for this girl who plans to be taller than me by the time she is 10 (To be truthful, I've only got her by an inch maybe 2).
Today, we submit out summer reading hours at the library and tomorrow she starts BBall camp for the next 2 wks. But, just because it's really almost over doesn't mean we can't enjoy every oppurtunity. How about you? Are you eagerly awaiting the restart of school? Or like me, wishing there was a pause button to prolong summer bliss? is prolly cause I have an only, yes!?!
We started the summer with early morning swimming lessons in June which conflicted rather terribly with my new late night shift at SNS. Yet, we made do and by the 3rd week Amber learned to swim well enough to be comfortable in the pool w/o me next to her the whole time and to bravely dive off the deep end and safely swim to the edge. I turned 38 around that time and my gift to myself was the lose of 30lbs and a bathing suit one size smaller than last year.
In July, the days passed so quickly. We saw the Dalai Lama on the 17th @ UIC Pavilion thanks to the Theosophical Society and our membership to The Order of the Round Table kid's group. Our group was 1 in 12 that was picked to decorate an icon that would be placed on stage with his Holiness through the event. We got the Om which the kids and parents involved really enjoyed decorating as well as sharing what we knew and learning something new about the symbol and Hinduism. The experience of sharing the same space as the Dalai Lama was a once in a lifetime kinda thing and I'll never forget it. Amber was touched by his sense of humour, and Scott was impressed w/his view of modern world events, and I fully embraced the message of his speech on 'bridging the faith divide'.
Scott's having a rough time dealing with the loss of an old good buddy from back in the day, LJ. He died in his sleep a lil more than a wk ago and we haven't hear the whyfor or what yet. Then, Sat his laptop fell off it's table and crashed into the wall and into non working order. Wish I could think of something wonderful to do to brighten what's gotta be a horrible monday for him. He's been such a bear that I've already used up all my available good will the past 2 days. any suggestions?
So, now, it's coming and is already been spotted in the malls and super stores. dun uh, dun uh, dun uh! Beware, take cover, it is Back to school time. We've spent a few weeks at the pool, we've enjoyed the farmers' market, and our muesum passes but we are not ready for that yet. We've still got the Ren Faire, 6 Flags, Ravinia, and some camping b4 the end of summer fun gets here. Now, I've got to save all my cash to pay for school registration (which should have been done back in May but I 'm a slackermom in that regard), then school supplies, and a few fantastic BTS outfits for this girl who plans to be taller than me by the time she is 10 (To be truthful, I've only got her by an inch maybe 2).
Today, we submit out summer reading hours at the library and tomorrow she starts BBall camp for the next 2 wks. But, just because it's really almost over doesn't mean we can't enjoy every oppurtunity. How about you? Are you eagerly awaiting the restart of school? Or like me, wishing there was a pause button to prolong summer bliss? is prolly cause I have an only, yes!?!
Friday, April 15, 2011
midway through 2011
I know, it's almost half way through 2011 and I'm finally posting. C'mon admit it we've all abadoned our blogs for FB that is untill we have a rant to unleash or a crusade to pursue, am I right? okay, that's a a lil harsh, I know there are those that come back to express a special interest and or unload mighty updates.
I know this because duh, that's what I'm doing right now, HA! There's a very reasonableexcuse explanation for my long silence AND no, it's not because my pc died again. Although, I finally did get my data retrieved from my pc that died in late 2009. Nope, the reasonable explanation is that I'm working again.
And, dudes, it's like really hard work. Customer service plus food service at a fast pace and all I can say is thank goodness for the tips. Yep, I'm working as a Server again after almost a decade of staying home. To be honest, I wasn't sure I could physically do it after 15+ yrs and those boring health issues of the past. But we were in a terrible bind and, yes, it was a desperate act the day I applied at SNS.
I had just enough gas in my car to make a mile circuit of my hobbit hole and I used google maps to find restaurants on that route. I remember being dissapointed that both of the local RR locations were out of reach. I had called first to ask if they were hiring so as not to waste a drop of that precious pricey gasoline. Then, I dropped 6 aps that day, 2 called me back, SNS hired me after the 1st interview.
The first few months were brutal. my poor feet weep for those cheap shoes I wore. who am I kidding my feet scream at me when they remember those shoes and all the terrible choices I ever made in footwear.
I was cocky during my training because I talk big like that but, also because being on the floor felt so familiar and I was picking it all right back up again. I knew what to say and how to serve the food and drinks. I passed the only test I set for myself which was carrying a tray and walking at the same time. My attitude stank of HURRY UP AND LET ME MAKE SOME MONEY ALREADY :D
In fact, the day they finally put me on the floor that pesky pricey precious gasoline issue was dominat on my mind in it's glaring absence from my car. I was estactic and confident when I finally made the seating chart. My first few days were cake because we were slow and even though I only made gas money I had a fist full of dollars. okay, singles but still, I earned those bills with my labor and that felt good.
Of course, we can't have cake all the time and I was about the endure the real test that colored my teeny tiny balancing act at best, elementary. Throughout my training and first week as a server (3 wks) I had never worked during a really busy rush. It had always been slow and I was thankful that the place seemed busy enough to make some money but not busy enough that I had to bring my non existant A game. My first rush came when I was finishing up what appeared to be a slow dinner shift.
The other server T had just been cut after we'd worked 2 hrs and about 5 tables each total with no mare than 2 at a time. I was the only server on the floor and within 15 mins there were ten tables on the floor. T had to come back on the floor, the manager had to take tables, it was truly the stuff of nightmares. I tell myself it wasn't quite epic fail yet, I'm sure my co workers that evening had another opinion.
The next few weeks were more of the same. When it was slow or even a steady flow with other strong servers I was a Rock Star on the floor but, when it was really busy I couldn't keep up and missed out on lots of tables + tips. My confidence dwindled and I began to make stupid mistakes because I was trying to work faster. I began to think they were going to fire me. I never thought about quitting, well, may be a few times...
Without noticing it things got better as I really got familiar with the menu and the seating plan and the computers. After about 2 months in I finally started getting faster, after 3 months I could finally take off the tunnel vision, and I tell you what; being able to see the whole picture really helps during those dreaded rushes.
I may not be as fast as the other servers but I'm great at delegation and while still not a Rock Star during the rushes (who is?) I think I'm finally proving my worth.
I know this because duh, that's what I'm doing right now, HA! There's a very reasonable
And, dudes, it's like really hard work. Customer service plus food service at a fast pace and all I can say is thank goodness for the tips. Yep, I'm working as a Server again after almost a decade of staying home. To be honest, I wasn't sure I could physically do it after 15+ yrs and those boring health issues of the past. But we were in a terrible bind and, yes, it was a desperate act the day I applied at SNS.
I had just enough gas in my car to make a mile circuit of my hobbit hole and I used google maps to find restaurants on that route. I remember being dissapointed that both of the local RR locations were out of reach. I had called first to ask if they were hiring so as not to waste a drop of that precious pricey gasoline. Then, I dropped 6 aps that day, 2 called me back, SNS hired me after the 1st interview.
The first few months were brutal. my poor feet weep for those cheap shoes I wore. who am I kidding my feet scream at me when they remember those shoes and all the terrible choices I ever made in footwear.
I was cocky during my training because I talk big like that but, also because being on the floor felt so familiar and I was picking it all right back up again. I knew what to say and how to serve the food and drinks. I passed the only test I set for myself which was carrying a tray and walking at the same time. My attitude stank of HURRY UP AND LET ME MAKE SOME MONEY ALREADY :D
In fact, the day they finally put me on the floor that pesky pricey precious gasoline issue was dominat on my mind in it's glaring absence from my car. I was estactic and confident when I finally made the seating chart. My first few days were cake because we were slow and even though I only made gas money I had a fist full of dollars. okay, singles but still, I earned those bills with my labor and that felt good.
Of course, we can't have cake all the time and I was about the endure the real test that colored my teeny tiny balancing act at best, elementary. Throughout my training and first week as a server (3 wks) I had never worked during a really busy rush. It had always been slow and I was thankful that the place seemed busy enough to make some money but not busy enough that I had to bring my non existant A game. My first rush came when I was finishing up what appeared to be a slow dinner shift.
The other server T had just been cut after we'd worked 2 hrs and about 5 tables each total with no mare than 2 at a time. I was the only server on the floor and within 15 mins there were ten tables on the floor. T had to come back on the floor, the manager had to take tables, it was truly the stuff of nightmares. I tell myself it wasn't quite epic fail yet, I'm sure my co workers that evening had another opinion.
The next few weeks were more of the same. When it was slow or even a steady flow with other strong servers I was a Rock Star on the floor but, when it was really busy I couldn't keep up and missed out on lots of tables + tips. My confidence dwindled and I began to make stupid mistakes because I was trying to work faster. I began to think they were going to fire me. I never thought about quitting, well, may be a few times...
Without noticing it things got better as I really got familiar with the menu and the seating plan and the computers. After about 2 months in I finally started getting faster, after 3 months I could finally take off the tunnel vision, and I tell you what; being able to see the whole picture really helps during those dreaded rushes.
I may not be as fast as the other servers but I'm great at delegation and while still not a Rock Star during the rushes (who is?) I think I'm finally proving my worth.
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