Can I Be More of a Slacker??!!??

I have decided to try to blog at least once a week. A lot has happened recently. I still love my job. Kat got braces on Thursday. She has been bugging me for years, and i finally relented. We thought Medicaid would pay for it, but they have a policy of a certain severity of the teeth before they will pay. So, I now have an added expense, but I can handle it. I already have the budget reworked. I have also almost completely caught up on the past due bills from my unemployment.

On another note, Tori is working on getting her driver's license, and looking for a car. I sometimes marvel at her responsibility. She has been planning this for a long time, and had all of her ducks in a row. However, she had not anticipated her grandmother. Mom is helping her out with the car, so she insisted on having the car checked out. Tori called our friend Tait, who found some things that concerned him. So now he has a friend who is an actual mechanic who needs to look it over, and I have to CarFax the VIN. But, Tori is being patient. God love her.

Sammee has been cast in the first play and the musical at ISU. She is playing the drunk actress in "You Can't Take it With You." (I hope it's not typecasting), and as Texas in "Cabaret." Looks like I will be going to the theatre a bit this fall. She is doing well in school so far, and Kat loves high school.

Well, that's about it for this week. Maybe next week I will have more exciting stuff to report.

I Am Employed! (at least for now)

This will be a quick post, but an important one. School starts this week for Kat, Tori has 2 jobs, Sammee started her 3rd year of college, both Sammee and Tori got their own apartment, and.....I am working!!!!! I have a long term temp position with the head construction company that is building the Hoku plant. Downside, I am working 5 10 hour shifts. Upside, I am working 5 10 hour shifts! Hoku wants the plant finished and operable by the end of the year, so construction has picked up. The company needs someone to keep track of construction hours and get paychecks out to the construction workers on time. Hence my job.

I love my job. For the first time since leaving ON Semiconductor, I feel like I fit in (except for my handwriting, which will always be an obstacle). I am excited to be part of a team, not part of a group of us and them.

So, I will be busy with work and helping Kat with homework. I hope to update this blog and keep the world updated on my status. After the first of the year, I will be looking for work again. I am starting a consulting business, so if you need bookkeeping help or help with your computer problems, I'm your gal!

Could it be any longer?S

So it's been almost 3 months since my last post. You would think, since I'm unemployed and all, that I would have all sorts of time to blog. I do, but I just haven't been "in the mood." Does anyone really want to hear my depressing "Woe is me. I can't find a permanent job" diatribe? Not that that would be all I would write about. A lot happened in the past 2 1/2 months. I quit my job, my gramma died (oops, that was my last post), Tori graduated from high school, Kat passed 8th grade, Sammee and Tori both got paying acting jobs for the summer. Oh, and I can't find a job. Don't worry, God has provided money to pay the bills as they come in, but a permanent job has alluded me so far. Trust me, I am not being picky. For the most part. I do want full time, not part time. And it would be nice if it paid more than minimum wage. And, I have applied to a lot of places that I would never like to work at. I just need money coming in.

But enough about me. As I said, Tori graduated in May. With honors. First, she is sooooo cute! Second, she graduated with honors. But I said that already. Proud Momma. Kat, despite her dyslexia, is reading at grade level, and passed all of her classes. And she hates homework. Sammee got a job this summer with the Venture Theatre in Billings, MT acting and teaching at the kids' theatre school. She is loving it, and the musical, Violet, was spectacular!!! Tori got hired by Idaho Summer Repertory to play Little Inez in Hairspray. It opens this Thursday. Both Tori and Kat started their summer rehearsing and performing Disney's Alice in Wonderland and Mulan. I thought that Kat would be immune to the acting bug, but I was wrong. They then attended Theatre School for 2 weeks up at ISU. Kat slowed down after Theatre School, but Tori went full steam ahead to Hairspray rehearsals. 1 pm - 10 pm 6 days a week. Her first paying acting job.

Meanwhile back at the farm (oh, wait, I don't work at the farm anymore), Mom and Dad bought a 5th wheel and a new truck. The plan is for Dad to whisk Mom away since she is no longer tethered to Pocatello because of Gramma. They took the trailer to Billings to see Sammee last weekend, and this weekend went to Sun Valley for an antique show. They will be home to see Hairspray, but will probably go to LA to see Jenn and Ava (my niece) this summer. We also rented out Gramma's side of the duplex to a family who is working at Idaho Summer Repertory this season. Susan, her husband, Chris (the stage combat ninja), their 5 year old twins, Nicholas and Noah, and Susan's mom. Chris left last week to go back to Ontario, Canada. He is also a river rafting and kayaking ninja. Susan's mom left today, and Susan and the boys will be here until the end of the month, or the beginning of July. It's nice having little kids around. They love the dog, and she thinks they are okay.

So keep praying for God to direct me to the right job, for Tori to stay focused on earning money for college on her year off, for Kat to adjust to high school easily and have fun, and for Sammee to return from Billings (her new friends don't want her to leave). I promise to keep you posted on the job thing, and all the other stuff in the Wortham household.

P.S. In case you are in the Pocatello area, Hairspray opens on July 8, and runs July 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17 with a matinee on the 17th as well as evening. Show starts @ 7:30 pm and the matinee is at 2:00 pm. Also this summer is The Complete History of the United States (Abridged), and Peter Pan. Remember, a professional Broadway stage combat ninja is doing all of the fight scenes for Peter Pan. Call 208-282-3595 for ticket information. I promise to blog again soon.

Shorty 1902-2010

Saturday was one of the saddest days of my "short" life. My grandmother, Norma Donnelly, passed away at the tender age of 107. No, that is not a typo, my gramma was 107. She lived an amazing life! She survived small pox, and she was struck by lightening. That is an interesting story. She was riding her horse to the one room schoolhouse that she taught at, and the horse got struck by lightening. She also broke her hip when she was 98. Not like that slowed her down at all.

Shorty was born the same year that the Wright Brothers flew for the first time. She taught elementary school without a degree. That was a time when, if you wanted to be a teacher, then you found a school, and taught. She was even my cousin John's 4th grade teacher. She saw so many changes in the world. Cars, television, computers. And everything in between. She experienced WWI and WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf I and II. And, she was in great health until about a month ago.

I could tell you all about Shorty, but this blog would be a novel. Let's just leave it at "she was one of the most amazing women I have ever known. She will not ever be replaced."

Saturday I need to travel to Boise for her funeral. My aunt said that me, my sister, and my cousin should speak. What should I say? The only thing that comes to mind is pretty recent. As Shorty's sight was failing she was having a hard time seeing who was in the room. One day I walked into her house and I was wearing a striped shirt. She could see me! So I started buying more striped shirts so she could see me. Eventually she started calling me Mrs. Stripes, and she always knew when I walked into the room. Now I have all of these striped shirts. So is that an appropriate story for a funeral? I think so. Especially a funeral complete with ice cream sandwiches. Shorty had ice cream every night for as long as I can remember. It's a fitting farewell. And a tasty one.

So, pray for my family right now, especially my mom, who was her main caregiver. And the next time you have a bowl of ice cream, remember a very special, very old lady who touched a lot of people. Love you Shorty!

P.S. Almost made it through without crying.

P.P.S. Shorty is actually a term of love. She was 5' 0" standing up straight, and used to always comment about how she was considered tall when she was young.

Quick Update

Just thought I would post a quick update on the job hunt. Got a call from the County offices today, and they filled both positions I had applied for. I am still waiting to hear on the IT job. Right now I will take just about anything. It looks like the lady who is replacing me is doing great!

I also printed my first sheet of business cards. Those are a work in progress. I hope to figure out what to do with them. I am actually thinking about giving them to churches and small businesses. I just need to do something and soon.

So I will keep ya'll posted if ya'll will keep praying for me. More later.

New Beginnings

While dinner is in the oven, I thought I would catch up on stuff.

First stuff: I quit my job on the farm. I really need to be in Pocatello for the girls. I will stay until my replacement is trained. She starts tomorrow. No, I don't have a job in Poky yet. God hit me over the head with a 2 x 4 and realized that my family was falling apart with me 30 miles away. So, I gave my notice, and only work until 3 pm so I am home when the girls get home. That also gives me time to job hunt, drop off resumes, and go to interviews.

Hm, interviews. I have had one so far. I have applied for 3 other jobs here in town. Right now there are lots of part time jobs, but not very many full time. However, I am persistant almost to the point of being annoying when it comes to taking care of my kids. I will get a job, or two, and it will all be good.

Am I scared about the money? Heck yes! Right now I have to make my tight to the penny budget work on $ 500 less per month. And, if my replacement works out, $2,000 less per month. I will do whatever it takes to get by, but in the mean time I have to be proactive to survive.

So, keep on praying. Pray that my replacement works out. Pray that God leads me to the right job(s). Pray that I can get through this transition period without overdrafting. Pray that the girls are supportive of me during this time. Just pray.

Spring Break and Jobs

Spring break is over. The girls are home from various corners of the country. School is back in session. The fighting has commenced. I am at the end of my rope. Sorry, Kat and Tori were fighting and I had to say something.

On another note, I have put in my notice at the farm. I really need to find a job here in Pocatello. The kids need me here, not 1/2 hour away all the time. I am looking, so if you hear of anything, let me know. I am not sure when my last day will be. I agreed to stay until they replace me. If I find a job here in town I will leave earlier.

So pray for me and the girls right now. This will be very tough on us, especially if I don't find a job before the farm replaces me. Sorry I am not very talkative this week. I'm sure there will be more to come. Until then, Happy Easter!

I Promise to Actually Post This One

Well, Spring Break is here. And, after much snarling and gnashing of teeth, the children are starting off on their one week adventures. Sammee drove to Boise tonight to catch her flight to NYC tomorrow morning. Finally! this past week she was changing her mind about going daily, if not hourly. She is going alone. Yes, I know, the most overprotective mom in the world is letting her baby go to the Big Apple alone? First of all, she has friends in NY to hang out with. Second, I have given her so many safety tips that it is now a running joke with us. Hopefully she follows them. The best one is to act crazy then people will leave her alone. Hey, it works. Have you ever stopped to talk to a crazy person?

Tori leaves at o'dark thirty (literally) on Monday to go to LA on Choir Tour. She went to LA last year with Student Ministries to DCLA, a national conference. She is really looking forward to it. The choir even gets to sit through a choir practice at USC.

Kat will be home all week while I work. Poor kid. And, to make matters worse, all of the kids she hangs out with left today for the American Heritage tour. I think she will be fine. My mom will help keep her occupied. Grammas are good for that.

Meanwhile back at the ranch (or farm), Tori graduates in only 2 months. I am really starting to feel old. Kat starts high school in August, and in 4 short years she will be grown too. I guess I better start planning on what to do with the extra bedrooms now. I only have 4 years to get it done.

Other than that, just doing the work thing, the kid thing, the ministry thing. On the church front, we (hopefully) should have an interim pastor right after Easter, and the Search Team should be formed on Sunday. Now starts the long process of searching for a new senior pastor. So, at 12-18 months for the whole process, we will hopefully have a new Senior Pastor somewhere between April and October, 2011.

So, that's life for now. I will check back in after the girls get back from the coasts to relate their experiences.

Oops!

So I blogged last weekend, but for some reason I never posted it. I did. Today. It's from my friend Bill's last week in Pocatello. He probably thinks I'm insane because I told him last Sunday that I blogged about him, and he is probably wondering where the post is. Well, Bill, it's there. Finally. Sometimes I am a total dork. But a relatively lovable one.

Getting Better

So I decided that I was going to get better at blogging. Not a New Year's resolution (since it's March), I am just committing myself to it. Not sure how much I have to say, or what I'm going to say, but here goes.

I am officially old. Sam will finish her second year of college in May, and Tori will graduate from high school in May. In August Tori will start college and become an adult, and Kat will start high school. Where did the time go? I remember the first day of kindergarten for all three, and it didn't seem like that long ago. I guess time flies when you're having fun.

I know, before ya'll start in on me, I'm not old. Technically. Sometimes I feel real old though. On the nights when I get off work late and have to drive the kids all over the place, it makes me very tired. But, when I get home and put on my jammie pants, life is okay again. Plus, I get my weekends to chill out at home. Sometimes I wish I had more friends to hang out with, but I am such a homebody that going and doing all the time makes me tired just thinking about it.

Now, to clarify, I am really not complaining about any aspect of my life. When I am driving the girls around town for whatever reason, we have some amazing conversations. Our best talks are in the car. When I am hanging out with my friends, I enjoy myself and the company. And if the girls aren't with me, I love the non-mom time. When I am home alone, I enjoy the quiet and solitude. I also enjoy having control of the remote and no one "Momming" me. So, I think I lead a pretty well rounded life.

While rereading this, I realized that I ramble a lot. But, I guess I write like I talk. Maybe for those of you who live far away from Pocatello, Idaho it makes a fond memory of me pop into your head. I sure hope so. Until next time, may you have a balance of busy, fun, and quiet in your lives.

Where the heck have I been?!? (and other ramblings)

I know, I am a horrible blogger. But, I've been busy. Working in a different town takes a lot out of a person. I spend a lot of time being tired and rushed. I have decided that God needs to add one or two hours to the day so I can actually accomplish something.

I will confess. I started this blog one week ago. I am officially a slacker. I am trying, but it has been just nuts for me.

The main thing I have been trying to deal with for the past month is the departure of a very good friend. The pastor of my church, Bill McCready, has been called to a church in Nevada. His last Sunday is this week, and he and his family leave next week. Bill has been leading my church, first Baptist Church for 14 years. In fact, I moved back to Pocatello one month after he started. we formed a fast friendship, and he knows things about my life that no one else knows. Except for God, of course. When Bill and Beth moved here, Beth was pregnant, and I had just had Kat. So, Mac, Bill and Beth's son, and Kat have been friends for 14 years. It is very weird thinking about not having Bill here all of the time, but Kat has really had a hard time of it. She and Mac act more like siblings than friends. She has had friends come and go, but Mac has always been there. Thank God for technology! At least she and Mac can email each other.

I apologize for rambling, but words are just kind of oozing out. I just have to put down what this family means to me. Bill talked me into going back into ministry. I had been told that God hated divorce, and that I was damaged goods. Let's not even discuss having a child out of wedlock. Bill listened to the details of why I divorced my ex and told me that my divorce was Biblical since he broke both our vows and the Commandments. Then he coerced me into being Wedding Coordinator at FBC. From there I have led the Drama Ministry, done Children's Praise Team, sang in the choir, multi media, security, and am currently Treasurer. If Bill wasn't in my life, I probably wouldn't have done any of that.

Beth, Bill's wife, was Youth Pastor at FBC for 9 years. She helped my older 2, Sammee and Tori, chose to lead Godly lives, and helped mold them into the women they have become. Bill has been a father figure to 3 girls who had no father. Mac and Rachel have been playmates, pseudo-siblings, and sources of joy. This amazing family has been part of my family, in good times and very bad times, and I love all four of them with all of my heart!

Thank you Bill, Beth, Mac, and Rachel for 14 years of laughter, tears, good times, bad times, and lots of coffee. You will be missed a lot, but Tahoe is a lovely place to vacation, and your church is very closer to that. Love you guys a ton!