Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!

Yep, the David Bowie song! Big changes happening in the Wortham family! We took Sammee to the airport today to begin the new chapter of her life in New York City! She has dreamed of this since she was little, and now it is happening! And, if there was anyone who belongs in that city, it's Sammee. I shall miss that little girl, but I am so proud of the woman she has become. She even had to deal with a serious situation yesterday, and handled it with grace and poise. A few tears, but she got through it. And, with modern technology, we can text, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, email, and, if we feel old fashioned, talk on the phone. She will come visit occasionally, and we will go visit her. I am actually more excited to visit her than I am to have her come home. My sister and I may even have a sister trip to visit her. Now all I need is her address in Brooklyn. And, she has a job interview for a barista position this week!

Tori will leave tomorrow to go back to Portland for school. She has had a couple of hiccups with school so far this summer, but every time she had a step backward, she got her socks blessed off by friends and extended family. It is true. If you live a good life and are good to others, you will be blessed ten fold! And, Tori does, and is, and keeps getting blessed! I am proud of the woman she has become also.

Don't worry, Kat is still at home. We are still plugging along with school, and her Special Ed teacher has altered her schedule so she can complete her graduation requirements on time. We had a little snafu on Wednesday with her online school. They erased all of the assignments she has completed. And by they, I mean some sort of glitch in the system. Tech support is working on it, but we haven't been able to do any assignments, which puts her behind a bit. But we will catch up. Plus, she will start bowling again next Saturday. More stories.

Work is still going great! I am looking into some career advancement opportunities so I can start planning for the next couple of years or so. More updates as they occur.

I will keep you updated on Sammee's adventures in the Big Apple. Her cab ride from LaGuardia may need it's own blog. Her first cab ride in NYC. Tori and Kirk always have adventures in Portland on the weekends, so more stories to tell, and more updates as they occur.

100 Blogs!

I know, I said that my 100th blog would be about my career goals and entrepreneurial endeavors, but I have been checking my views, and am stunned! Due to the marvels of modern technology, I can see people who view my blog. Not just who views it, but where they are from, how many times a day they check it, and the browser and device used. I have actually had people from India, Russia, and all over the United States view my blog. I love this feature! I can see how many pages were viewed, by whom, and what time of day they popped in.

I am not sure who in India is interested in information on my kids and my jobs, but, WOW! It's nice to see that some old friends from high school and college are keeping up with my life. And people I don't even know! Again, technology is a wonderful thing!

To my international readers, thank you! To my US friends, and I know who you are, thanks! This blog was initially intended to be a personal journal of sorts, but I am honored to share my life and my girls with all of you!

I promise, I will post about this new career path later this month.

As I Labor on Labor Day

So here I am at work, on Labor Day. I think the auto dealerships have all closed for the day. Calls have really slowed down. And I still have 2 1/2 hours to go. But, I can't complain. I have a job. A good job. And, by working on a holiday, I get my 8 hours holiday pay plus the 8 hours I work today. So, basically double time. Plus, I love my job. And, as long as I am able to read, do crossword puzzles, and work on my computer between calls it's not so bad. It also helps that I really like my coworkers too. 

So my next post will be my 100th. I am trying to decide what to blog about. The state of politics right now? Um, no. I try to keep those views to myself. It's my business. Single mom in the city? Nah. The girls? Because I NEVER talk about my girls. Maybe my future plans career-wise. That would be a good one. Because I have a few ideas for the future, and am even attending an entrepreneur workshop later this month. So what do you guys think? Would that even be interesting to you?

So that will be my 100th blog. But, in the mean time, back to the girls.  The countdown is on. 13 days and counting before it will be just me and Kat. I guess I better get my webcam tested before they leave so we can Skype each other. And make every moment in the next 13 days count. 

So I think that's it for now. I can't even think of anything to blog about. So, here is a picture of the girls after we saw Sammee in Rent on Saturday. They didn't stop crying, but all 3 did manage to smile for the phone camera. They are gonna kill me!

My Amazing Daughters!

I just got home from seeing Sammee play JoAnne in Rent. This was her last performance in Pocatello. Two weeks from today she begins her newest adventure in NYC. I am excited and yet pensive. My baby is going to the largest city in the US! The Big Apple! The city that never sleeps! The town so nice, they named it twice! She will be about 2,000 miles away from me. I think I can handle this, but this Momma may have a minor meltdown. I did okay when Tori moved to Portland, but she is away at college. Different scenario. Right now she comes home for Christmas and summer. Away at college is totally different from moving away. I don't know how my mom did this when I moved to Denver.

Okay, back to the show. This was one of the most amazing plays I have ever seen in Pocatello! It helped that the 8 main actors had acted together for years. Such a cohesive cast! They played off each other like real friends do. I have watched all of these young adults act together for years and they have never connected the way they did in this show. I love each and every one of these "kids," and hope they get to live their dreams!

One word of advice I received from a good friend for these kids moving to NY. My friend, Jay Duckworth, said that the secret to his success in NYC Theatre was calling his mom every night before he went to bed. Note to Derek, Sammee, Katelyn, and Joey. Call your moms and talk to them. They are your rock, your greatest fan, and your biggest critic. Mom will do anything for you.

So to my kids, take care of yourselves and each other. And make sure you talk to your Mommas at least once a week. I love you all and will always be here to lend an ear.

Until next time.
Love, the Momma

Why, Oh Why?

Well, we finally got all of Kat's stuff for school. Books and computer. Can't set up her computer until my day off on Saturday just because I don't want to be putzing around with the computer and helping her with school at the same time. Plus, I don't want to try to set it up with the time crunch of having to go to work.

I got to see Sammee today. She is actually financially on track to get to NY. She and her friends have an apartment secured, and, of course, Mom will handle the Renter's policies. She is so excited for this adventure, and it is rubbing off on me. I will be the blubbery Mom when she actually leaves, but I am so excited for this new chapter in her life. Now if I could just get her to contact Mr. Jay Duckworth to let him know she is coming. Uncle Jay needs this information.

In other news, Tori has been suffering from migraines recently. Every other day for the past 2 weeks. She went through this 2 years ago, and we found a chiropractor who was able to relieve the pain and "cure" her. This chiropractor moved to South Carolina while she was in Portland. We can't seem to figure out how to stop them. Any help would be appreciated. Sammee got her some Peppermint Oil to try to help, but I am so worried about her.

In other news, I am helping plan a Mule Barn Theatre reunion next summer in Kansas City. We now have our venue and a hotel deal for the weekend. For those of you who don't know, the Mule Barn Theatre was the theatre that I worked at in college in Tarkio, MO. It was also a professional Summer theatre. We are setting up a reunion for all of the former Mule Barners. I am so excited for this! My first vacation in God only knows how long! And I am hoping that all 3 girls can go and meet all of my amazing college friends.

I promise that I will blog more often. I like keeping my friends and family updated on the happenings here in good ole Poky, Portland, NYC, and beyond!

Blogging Slacker!

Wow! I just noticed how long it has been since I have posted! So much has happened, so here is a quick update.

Jobwise, I received all 32 of my insurance licenses, graduated from training, and am now officially an Allstate insurance agent! I still love my job, and love the people I work with! I have even gotten used to working swing shifts.

In May, Sammee graduated from Idaho State University with her Bachelor's Degree in Theatre. She spent her summer doing theatre, teaching little kids drama in Billings, MT, and playing JoAnne in Rent here in town. Next month she is moving to NYC to pursue her dreams. Such a proud momma!

Tori came home in June for the summer after earning straight A's all year in her first year of college. She got braces, and has been working I don't know how many jobs, saving money to take back to Portland with her. So proud of her for her determination to support herself!

Kat started virtual high school last Monday. She is bound and determined to have a B average this year and work toward graduating on time in 2014. We are also gearing up for bowling season. She will be doing league on Saturday, and will bowl for Century High School this winter. She will also be getting a job this fall.

I am incredibly blessed with these 3 amazing young ladies! So anyone who thinks that a child from a single parent household have no chance for success need to just take a look at my successful daughters!

I will update more later. I am sure there will be many stories and adventures from Sammee in NYC, and Tori in Portland.

A Short Update

I have now been at my new job for one month. I still love it! I have not received notice of licensing for any states yet, but I'm waiting. Semi-patiently. I know, I can't even utilize the licenses until I get on the phones, but that's only 4 weeks away. I want those 32 licenses, Dang it! 


I am actually making friends at work. I don't normally do that. I am the type of person who goes to work to work, not to make friends. I am friendly with my coworkers, but for the most part I don't create deep friendships. I think this time is different because we are in a classroom setting. It makes creating friendships a little easier. Next Saturday we are having our first Pot Luck during our lunch break. 


As hard as I thought it would be to learn insurance, the software that Allstate uses, how to service customers on the phone, I am picking up really quickly on everything. I have even found ways to decrease my own auto insurance. Man, there are discounts I have never even heard of! 


Mom and Dad just left Portland today. They were doing an Antique Show there. So they got to see Tori for the weekend. She gave them a short tour of campus, they went out to dinner a couple of times, and got lost with Aunt Beth and Uncle Darwin in Vancouver. They were trying to find Olive Garden and ended up circling around Vancouver, WA. There was lots of laughter and fun!


Kat has been excelling at bowling. High school bowling is over and she only has a couple of months left for league bowling. For the first time since she started bowling we will not go to state bowling in Boise. I can't get the time off from work. It will be okay though. I might just see about getting her in a summer league so she can get more practice. 


Sammee is half way through her last semester of college. Oh my gosh, I just realized that she will graduate in exactly 2 months! Where the heck did the time go?!? Wasn't she just a little girl like a week ago? She is rehearsing her last college show, "Into The Woods." I think I may actually get to go see it. My schedule will change when I get on the phones, so I will have Saturdays off. I am looking forward to when we get to do a shift bid.


That's it for now. I shall probably start to rant about some politically charged items in the future that are currently stewing underneath the surface. TTFN!