ME? FAST? You've GOT to be kidding...

Yup, I couldn't believe my ears last night when someone at softball told me that. I used to be fast - when I was a kid - I could outrun all the boys on the playground. Then I grew up and got slow. Running the bases last year, I was slow. Not painfully slow, but certainly not fast. Maybe losing 15 lbs helped...

Either way, it was a great compliment. I'm also playing catcher this year instead of second base, which at first I was bummed about, but I actually like it because I'm involved in every play of the game, and my arm is getting better. I should count how many throws I make in a game - it's good. Sure, sometime I'd like to get back on the field, but for now this is fine. I can relax, talk to the pitcher, take the throws that come to me, and just get up and hit...and then run really FAST! :)

Enjoying summer...

...if only work wouldn't get in the way! We had a great weekend, spent time swimming, watching softball, and I ran and biked both in the same weekend. I really need to get my exercise regimen back on track. Saturday I felt like such a slug - tired from the week, bored, just blah - so I got up and put my running stuff on and went out - I focused on the music on my cd and I felt so much better. Sunday my husband was playing softball at a field about 20 miles from our house, so I decided to ride there. I've done that ride before, and it's pretty hilly, but I was up for the challenge. It was great :)

I woke up this morning and didn't know what day it was - I thought it was the weekend for a second, then realized it is only Tuesday. That pretty much ruined my morning. lol

Nope...

I didn't get the job. They hired someone who was more qualified, but told me that if she doesn't work out that I'll be the one they want. I thanked them for the opportunity and told them that I would still be interested if the new didn't work out.

I didn't have my heart set on this job, and I also knew that I wasn't totally qualified, but I still was a little disappointed. The energy at work these days has been pretty negative, and I can't help but be affected by that. The good thing, though, is that now I know what I need to learn more about in case this job comes up again, or even another opportunity in the same field. And, in the meantime, there are still good things about where I am and I need to focus on the positive.

New job?

I applied for a job managing an e-commerce website. They approached me and asked me if I was interested in talking to them about it - I had an "interview", then they went on vacation. I don't know if no news is good news or if they went ahead and hired someone else before they left. I'll see them tonight because we play on the same softball team, so I guess I'll ask what the scoop is then...

My son got a gig as a roadie...

He's been asked to work a concert this Sunday night, lugging equipment, from noon-4:00, then again for 3 hours after the show. It will be hard work, for sure...but it pays $100! He agreed to do it, then said to me "that's SEVEN HOURS!!". I said HELLO!!! THAT'S A HUNDRED BUCKS!! If you don't want to do it, I'LL do it!" He's 14, almost 15 years old - and at his age I'd be jumping at that kind of money. I think he's too inexperienced to grasp the concept of how much people actually make. Maybe there's a slight chance he's also a tad spoiled - lol. I got my first job at 14, and by age 15 I had three jobs. Times are different now.

For his birthday, he gave me three ideas of what I could get him (I had to push and prod to get anything out of him) - an ipod or dellpod (because a dellpod is cheaper), a new $180 bat, or that new sony playstation thingy that plays music, games, movies, etc. for $200. I bid on an ipod on ebay. He's not getting the other things - he knows he's only getting one. He can put his $100 that he makes lugging band equipment toward his new bat. He's going to work for it!

I'm such a mean mom.

Nothing like a baseball game in summer

Last night we took Mike to see the VT Expos, which is the Nationals' single-A team, formerly part of the Montreal Expos organization but just moved this year.They were playing the Lowell Spinners, which is the Red Sox single-A team. I couldn't believe how young these guys were. Mike said at this level they're often right out of high school, age 18-22 mostly. It was fun. Rain threatened all day, but then the sun came out and it turned into a nice evening. There's nothing like hearing that crack of the bat in person - you just can't get that from TV. The kids ate and ate and ate - sausages, fries, chicken, dipping dots (little tiny ice cream balls in a cup that look like styrofoam packing), fried dough...I admit I had some fried dough too. Mike and I split one - it was yummy but sat like a rock in my stomach for the rest of the night.

Mike and I actually had a beer together - wearing our bracelets that told the world we were of legal drinking age - we laughed at that - it's been so long since we've been out and I've had to wear one of those. We laughed as the mascot drove around on his ATV and waved, pulled kids on top of the dugout to dance to Elvis's "Hound Dog", and all the silly, terrific in-between-inning games that get the fans involved.

We left in the 8th inning - we had a 45 minute drive home and it was late. It was Mike's father's day present - good family QT.

Nice long weekend

Sun, sun, and more sun was probably the theme for this past weekend. Saturday was cool, but Sunday and Monday were gorgeous, and with Monday being the holiday I didn't have to work.

Saturday was busy - the kids and I went up early and mowed my dad's lawn, then Michael wanted to clean his room (*gasp!*) so of course, I agreed to help. We spent lots of time talking about how to organize things, what to get rid of, how he could put things in storage without getting rid of them, and just keep out the things that he liked and used the most. He asked for a metal bed frame, because since we got him a queen mattress set it has just been on the floor. I agreed to go to the store and get him one, which we did. He went to town vacuuming, cleaning, etc., and really did a great job. We set up his bed, and he spent the rest of the afternoon puttering around getting settled. I took a few things to the dump, then while I was out I hit one of the local 4th of July ski shop sales and found a great pair of snowboard pants at a good price, and some gloves for Amanda. Still pricey, but about half the cost of what I would have paid. Now that's out of the way and we all have gear for the winter.

Sunday we all just lounged around, I read "Angels and Demons" on the deck, and we went to see the fireworks at dark. They were really amazing this year. The town went all-out and this was probably the best display I've ever seen. The kids got a bunch of glow-in-the-dark necklaces and when we got home we put them on the dog, shut off the lights, and played with him. He thought they were fun, I guess. It was funny.

Monday we went to a local pool and hung out - it was hot and sunny, and what better thing to do on a day like that? We stayed there for a few hours then took the dog to the brook so he could cool off.

Just a lazy summer weekend - my favorite kind - it was tough to come back to work today...

Ironic, isn't it?

Over on LCT I just this morning posted about falling asleep at my desk - and how I've been starting to get bored with this job. It has a few important perks, like free skiing and a fair amount of flexibility - both of which are really great and hard to find, but the pay is low and we're all overworked and micromanaged...I work with a lot of unhappy people. Even though I think I have the best of anyone, I really think my anxiety started after starting this job - there's just a lot of stuff to keep track of.

Anyway, about an hour after I posted that entry, I ran into a local business owner who I know, and he asked me what I do at my job. I told him pretty specifically - he's been advertising for someone to run his e-commerce website - and I had a feeling he was going in that direction. I was right. He said he had planned on getting in touch with me today to see if I was interested about talking about the job. I said absolutely, I would love to talk with him about it. That will give me a chance to find out more details about the job itself, if I'm even qualified, possibly pay, benefits, etc. The ad did say that they would train the right person, so that's encouraging.

Just thought it was interesting...we're going to talk after the holiday weekend is over.