Digging Out

We have had friends staying with us for the last 6 days. Six days. My friend Lisa has 4 children - all of whom have ADD. Six days. We had moody & sullen (17), tall & diabetic (16), bouncy & bored (9) and wild with tantrums (7). Six days. It was a long expensive week of finding things to get us all out of our small (not small for us but for guests) home. Nothing pleased everyone of course. Too many things pleased no one while we were doing them.

I enlisted my kids to clean for about 3 hours after our friends left. The house while not quite clean is quiet. I like quiet.

My kids ...

...C-man thinks I am cursed above all others. I scolded him on our way home from church for opening the car and then throwing the keys on the ground near the car THEN coming to get me from a friends house about 10 doors down. He was annoyed that I had told him, "We're not staying, really.". I didn't mean to lie but I did. He didn't see that he did anything wrong since neither my purse or the car were ACTUALLY stolen. So, when we got home he decided to do the martyr thing and didn't speak to me for all of 35 minutes. Silence is Golden.

...Bing was in trouble for taking my keys and then giving them to C-man and not remembering what C-man did with them until we got to the car. I know this seems petty on my part but I gave him the keys not C-man.

...The Princess isn't in trouble ... but then again it's still early.

I am currently on the "Bad Mom" list for taking away computer/phone privileges from everyone (it's a longer story than above but I won't go into it). But by tomorrow I shall be redeemed by making Eibleskeevers for breakfast!

Guess it's over, Call it a day ...

Testing is over. Done. Finished. Whew. It was quite an adventure though.

I was due at the testing center - a dark, low story building built in the late '50's with dingy sky blue lower window coverings. Ugh. It was depressing to walk in to the building. NOTE: I am a nervous test taker so I over prepare and over worry about passing so as I'm entering the building my heart is pounding. I feel like I am sprinting (see http://www.blogspot.amrunnerca.com/) as I walk into the testing center.

I had to read over and agree to a full legal page of rules, put all of my belongings (including my watch?) into a locker, I couldn't even bring in my own tissues (really?). Then I met with the proctor, had to turn my pockets inside out and put my hands into my back pockets to show there was nothing there. I was doing this all in front of a man who was giggling at the absurdity of it which made me giggle which made me feel a little better.

I was given 2 hours to complete the first test - done in 1 hour 10 minutes. The last hour was with headphones on because the guy next to me was belching, no kidding, belching. 96% score.

When I came out I asked if I could take the other test sooner than my scheduled 1 pm she said sure so I went to the restroom and started the next test - mind you I had to go through the same entrance routine again - really?

Second test was 3 hours long - I finished in 1 hour 15 minutes. No belching guy this time. 87% score. The reason I got so low is because of the Ethics portion. I know what you're thinking, "Uh, yeah. You have an ethics problem.". In real estate the definition of ethics is "..the minimum society requires to avoid penalty.". No kidding. I am a disclose all and do more type of worker (thanks Dad!) so I answered as I would if I were to do things and not what the minimum required to do would be. Oh, well. I guess I have to lower my standards next time. (As if my Sunbeams would let me! CTR power!)

I just need to do fingerprinting and file one more form to be done.

I have thought this process is like shutting the barn door after the horses have gotten out. The people that this was supposed to target have; a) gotten out of the business because they made their money, duh, or b) not going to worry about a stupid license to do business - as if they did before. It all smacks of Big Brother to me.

Thanks Mr. Obama for making this all possible. Really. Thanks.

Testing, 1, 2, 3...

Since I have been unemployed I have been studying for two big tests I have to take on the 20th. I have been studying and studying. My husband was lucky he was out of the country so he didn't feel ignored. My kids felt a little ignored and slightly neglected. We had the following for dinners this week: Monday (forgot to cook): soup, Tuesday: top ramen, Wednesday: chicken wings (not quite burned), Thursday: Safeway pizza, Friday (forgot to cook again, darn it!): left over pizza and panini (okay, it was just grilled cheese but I did it in my panini maker). Only two more days until the insanity of my study habits is over. My darling husband asked me if this is how I was in college: to which I reply, "Uh, yeah.": to which he replied, "Your poor roomies.". He was glad he was gone.

The End in 10 Words or Less

Today was my last day on my job. A little momentus since I didn't even make it 100 days. But it's done, the end. I felt a wave of relief both going to and leaving today. And even a little sadness. Sadness that what I had hoped for wasn't going to be.

The one odd thing was the very end. I walked in the office and Stanley said, "Sandy needs to review files with you.", to which I said, "Okay.". Then he walked away. Sandy came in we went over files, I packed up my few personal items (another clue I wasn't comfortable I didn't bring in pics of my family) and Stanley walked over, handed me my final check and said, "Here. Thank you." and walked out of the office. Ten words. That's all I was worth to him. Sandy was a bit stunned and said as much. I wasn't as stunned as he has been ignoring me for the last two weeks.

The one good thing to come out of this is that I have two people who I think are capable and very good at their jobs and think highly of as part of my work friendship circle. A shared experience brings people together and I appreciate that part of this.

Two is a Magic Number

2 hands, 2 feet, 2 cents, 2 eyes, 2 many ... you get the picture... 2 days.... It is a magic number and I happen to be enjoying 2 today. I will like 1 as well but 2: I have time for; 1) a brief reflection (check) and 2) for forethought (and double check). I will have a moment, or two, tomorrow to think about what to say to my 2 co-workers as we part ways, two very nice and capable people. Live for 2-day but plan for 2-morrow. 2.

Going? Going? ...

I have less than 4 days left of work. Yup. 4. I have to go in to the Devil's Lair on Tuesday for a time and then make my escape by 2 pm. Wednesday, oh, I don't think a visit to the Den of the Devil will be necessary. And, well, Thursday, I have to doctor's appointment and have to pick up Lauren - can't make it that day. So, Friday. I do have to make an appearance - later in the day I think to drop off my work laptop - 10 year old beast that it is - and pick up a check. Then, I'm, done. I can't tell you what a relief this is. I know I whined and made excuses etc but I think it was just the fact that the Lord wanted me to leap with faith. Well, I made the leap and I am happy to have done so. Not everything has been worked out financially but as Jim says, "A happy mommy makes a happy home!". Smart man.