I am one of those strong, independent women that tries to do it all and really doesn't know how to say no. I often get really motivated and excited about things that probably don't matter as much, but take me out of the mundane part of raising children. All I wanted in my 20's was to be married and a stay at home mom, but 12 years of working makes me crave the validation that comes from a job well done.
But for the past several months I have been feeling way too stretched - too many projects plus work plus making sure the kids brush their teeth. I've felt like something has got to give. The only thing that really could go is my job. At the same time, it is definitely a good thing to have in this economy. I have wrestled with it a great deal and still haven't come to a decision.
About a year ago a woman worked for my company who was a bit of a whiner. She wanted to work from home because I did, she complained if someone called a candidate that she put into our applicant tracking system, but never called herself. She made excuse after excuse as to why she wasn't successful. It got pretty old. My bosses decided that she could work from home, but then could only work straight commission (versus a salary plus commission). I thought it was incredibly generous considering they really should have let her go. She wasn't happy with the option and filed with the Department of Labor.
As a result, and after a year of investigation, my company has had to make some changes to the employment status of everyone. No longer can employees be exempt - they all have to be non-exempt and stick to 40 hours a week or they have to get overtime. And the worst end result is that they can no longer employ independent contractors (like myself) with the same parameters that we have now. This has an impact on me and the boss's sister, who is a part-time indy who works from home and lives in Idaho.
Going to work full time is not remotely an option for me, and going to 100% commission isn't realistic, either. So maybe the decision has been made for me? I don't know yet how it will all play out. It would be nice to take some time off and work on the house projects that I have in the works. I have a ton of painting to get done. I never thought 2 1/2 years ago when I started working that I would go this long. But at the same time, it has been a huge blessing for us.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
High School Reunion Part Three
After a short nap I got up to get ready for the main reunion event, which took place at the Biltmore Embassy Suites. I picked up Regina and we headed to the hotel. I think both of us were a little nervous to see so many people. As soon as we arrived I ran into Bobby Greene, who was my very first boyfriend in 5th grade. He says 4th grade, but who has a boyfriend in FOURTH grade?! Ha ha. It was great to see him and a surprise because I didn't know that he was coming. Neither did he, actually. He jumped in his car and drove from San Diego as a spur of the moment thing.
I wandered around a bit saying hi to people I knew. I actually knew more people at the Happy Hour so it was a bit daunting. There was almost no one from the Class of 1990! My first thought was that we would definitely be doing our own. I guess people didn't really want to hang out with the classes that graduated ahead of us.
Eventually the wait staff at the hotel started getting irritated with us because they wanted to serve us dinner, so we found seats and started eating. The food was really not spectacular considering the price of the reunion. I would say that the event did not justify the cost at all.
Then we had a slideshow which, unfortunately, wasn't really well done. There were large clusters of pictures with the same people in them, although I guess that wasn't really the person's fault who did the slideshow since people were supposed to submit their pictures for it. It's just - you would think that people would cheer or laugh as pictures were shown, but it was largely quiet. Kind of unnerving.
Anyway, the dinner ended and a large group of people "crashed" the reunion and after that there was dancing and mingling and catching up so that was fun. Once people started getting too drunk, Regina and I headed out. I can definitely say that I have never been hit on so much in my life and Regina felt the same way. It made us alternately creeped out and sad that single guys we went to high school with wouldn't respect the fact that both of us were married. Yikes!
Overall the reunion was worth it and makes me more excited about doing one for just my graduating class. It was great to see so many old friends and be able to hug them again. I'm sure we will do another multi-class reunion down the road. It just tended to be one particular group from high school that attended so it would need to be advertised much better. My guess is that word will spread and people will make more of an effort to get to the next one!
Andrya and me - we joked about seeing each other at the reunion since she lives in Utah about 20 minutes from me and we never see each other!
Class of 1990: Shawna, Dan, Andrya, Dylan, Heidi, Terry, Tara, and Bobby
Bobby and me
Andrea and me - Andrea left North High my Sophomore year, but we stayed friends.
DeeAn, Brenda, and me - DeeAn and Brenda were on the Pom Line
Sali and me - Sali was a cheerleader with me for two years and she was a surprise as well! I was excited to see her.
Dylan, Regina and Dan
Dan and me - I've seen Dan over the past few years at other gatherings. We went to school together from 2nd Grade - Senior year.
Rhon and me - Rhon was a Senior when I was a Freshman and ended up marrying one of my best friends from high school.
Dan and Amy Ballard - Cute brother and sister!
Dana, Darren, and Regina - I love that Dana wore his uniform.
I wandered around a bit saying hi to people I knew. I actually knew more people at the Happy Hour so it was a bit daunting. There was almost no one from the Class of 1990! My first thought was that we would definitely be doing our own. I guess people didn't really want to hang out with the classes that graduated ahead of us.
Eventually the wait staff at the hotel started getting irritated with us because they wanted to serve us dinner, so we found seats and started eating. The food was really not spectacular considering the price of the reunion. I would say that the event did not justify the cost at all.
Then we had a slideshow which, unfortunately, wasn't really well done. There were large clusters of pictures with the same people in them, although I guess that wasn't really the person's fault who did the slideshow since people were supposed to submit their pictures for it. It's just - you would think that people would cheer or laugh as pictures were shown, but it was largely quiet. Kind of unnerving.
Anyway, the dinner ended and a large group of people "crashed" the reunion and after that there was dancing and mingling and catching up so that was fun. Once people started getting too drunk, Regina and I headed out. I can definitely say that I have never been hit on so much in my life and Regina felt the same way. It made us alternately creeped out and sad that single guys we went to high school with wouldn't respect the fact that both of us were married. Yikes!
Overall the reunion was worth it and makes me more excited about doing one for just my graduating class. It was great to see so many old friends and be able to hug them again. I'm sure we will do another multi-class reunion down the road. It just tended to be one particular group from high school that attended so it would need to be advertised much better. My guess is that word will spread and people will make more of an effort to get to the next one!
Andrya and me - we joked about seeing each other at the reunion since she lives in Utah about 20 minutes from me and we never see each other!
Class of 1990: Shawna, Dan, Andrya, Dylan, Heidi, Terry, Tara, and Bobby
Bobby and me
Andrea and me - Andrea left North High my Sophomore year, but we stayed friends.
DeeAn, Brenda, and me - DeeAn and Brenda were on the Pom Line
Sali and me - Sali was a cheerleader with me for two years and she was a surprise as well! I was excited to see her.
Dylan, Regina and Dan
Dan and me - I've seen Dan over the past few years at other gatherings. We went to school together from 2nd Grade - Senior year.
Rhon and me - Rhon was a Senior when I was a Freshman and ended up marrying one of my best friends from high school.
Dan and Amy Ballard - Cute brother and sister!
Dana, Darren, and Regina - I love that Dana wore his uniform. Sunday, October 11, 2009
High School Reunion Part Two
Saturday morning I woke up early, got dressed, and watched a bit of the morning session of General Conference before heading over to my high school for a tour. In the past 20 years they have made some seriously major changes to the school and I wanted to see what those were. It was almost like being in a completely different school as I walked through it. Very strange - strong memories for some areas and absolutely nothing for others. The strangest part is that the parking lot isn't the same - so my parking spot is gone. That area is where my strongest memories of high school are because there was a huge tree that we all sat under, and where I could find most of my friends at various times during the day.
Hallway - LA Building
1990 Basketball team - State Champions
The State Champion banner
The North High Fight Song
North Mustangs Banner
Members of the original "Cream Team" (1987) in the football locker room
The Old Gym - cheer tryouts and practice were held here
Championship trophy - Basketball 1990 (I actually teared up)
Science Building - my locker was down this hall
Collage from Mr. Dodge's first year at North High (my Sophomore year) - he is still there
After the tour, we all went to America's Taco Shop for lunch. America's is owned by Terry Bortin, who graduated with me. It was recently named the best carne asada in Phoenix, and it is. I could eat there daily! There was a perpetual line the entire time we were there and it was a Saturday. I highly recommend it if you ever happen to be in Phoenix.
Hallway - LA Building
1990 Basketball team - State Champions
The State Champion banner
The North High Fight Song
North Mustangs Banner
Members of the original "Cream Team" (1987) in the football locker room
The Old Gym - cheer tryouts and practice were held here
Championship trophy - Basketball 1990 (I actually teared up)
Science Building - my locker was down this hall
Collage from Mr. Dodge's first year at North High (my Sophomore year) - he is still thereAfter the tour, we all went to America's Taco Shop for lunch. America's is owned by Terry Bortin, who graduated with me. It was recently named the best carne asada in Phoenix, and it is. I could eat there daily! There was a perpetual line the entire time we were there and it was a Saturday. I highly recommend it if you ever happen to be in Phoenix.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
High School Musical...er...Reunion - Part One
*Note - this post will probably be incredibly boring to most people.
I am one of those people who actually really really loved high school. Loved it. Not many people say that, but I did and do and still love people that I went to high school with 20 years ago. In fact, some of them are still my favorite people on the planet, and I have met some wonderful people in my life. 20 years has just made them more interesting.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend a multi-class reunion. They decided to have it be the Class of 1986-1990. I didn't know anyone from the class of 1986, but that didn't seem to matter. There was a lot of love and everyone was just introducing themselves if they didn't know someone.
Friday night kicked off the reunion with a Happy Hour at a restaurant called Aunt Chilada's. It's a fun restaurant, but the parking was an issue and it was super crowded because it was Friday night. It was hard to tell who was there for our reunion and who was just there drinking. There was a LOT of drinking going on. But, I guess you would expect that from a happy hour. I arrived around 6pm and saw my friend Claudia and made a beeline for her.
Claudia and me
Claudia graduated in 1989, but was one of my closest friends in high school. When she turned 18 we went to buy a lottery ticket and they made me hold it while walking out because she looked so young. She also got carded at a PG-13 movie. It was hilarious because I believe she was 17 at the time. My mom and Claudia and I used to go to movies together.
Jay and me
I am one of those people who actually really really loved high school. Loved it. Not many people say that, but I did and do and still love people that I went to high school with 20 years ago. In fact, some of them are still my favorite people on the planet, and I have met some wonderful people in my life. 20 years has just made them more interesting.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend a multi-class reunion. They decided to have it be the Class of 1986-1990. I didn't know anyone from the class of 1986, but that didn't seem to matter. There was a lot of love and everyone was just introducing themselves if they didn't know someone.
Friday night kicked off the reunion with a Happy Hour at a restaurant called Aunt Chilada's. It's a fun restaurant, but the parking was an issue and it was super crowded because it was Friday night. It was hard to tell who was there for our reunion and who was just there drinking. There was a LOT of drinking going on. But, I guess you would expect that from a happy hour. I arrived around 6pm and saw my friend Claudia and made a beeline for her.
Claudia and meClaudia graduated in 1989, but was one of my closest friends in high school. When she turned 18 we went to buy a lottery ticket and they made me hold it while walking out because she looked so young. She also got carded at a PG-13 movie. It was hilarious because I believe she was 17 at the time. My mom and Claudia and I used to go to movies together.
Jay and meMy Sophomore year of high school was an eventful year for me. I had made the cheerline so life got busier. I also had a class in the Science Building (picture in future post) after lunch. Every day I would walk down the sidewalk into the building and see a River Phoenix/James Dean look-a-like by the name of Jay Connolly. I went to drastic measures to meet him, and ultimately we became the very best of friends. When my mom would go out of town for work, she would have Jay come and stay with me! That seems hilarious now, but we were like brother and sister. He graduated a year before me, but took me to my Senior prom.
Jay and me - 1990
I spent some time hugging and catching up with several friends. I was surprised to see that I actually knew a lot of people there. Some people I had forgotten entirely about so seeing them again was wonderful. And then, across the crowded room, I spotted Amy.
Amy was a Senior when I was a Sophomore and Captain of the cheerline. I had actually had a "I like you, you like me, now what?" moment with her younger brother when we were in 8th grade, so I was convinced that she wouldn't like me. Of course we became very good friends, and spent a lot of that year hanging out. I hadn't seen her since my high school graduation. I pointed to her and literally hollered, "I cannot believe I am looking at Amy Ballard!!!" There are some people that you just wish had stayed in your life, even if that would have been impossible. Amy is one of those people. Claudia and Jay DID stay in my life.
Amy and Heidi
Jay and me - 1990I spent some time hugging and catching up with several friends. I was surprised to see that I actually knew a lot of people there. Some people I had forgotten entirely about so seeing them again was wonderful. And then, across the crowded room, I spotted Amy.
Amy was a Senior when I was a Sophomore and Captain of the cheerline. I had actually had a "I like you, you like me, now what?" moment with her younger brother when we were in 8th grade, so I was convinced that she wouldn't like me. Of course we became very good friends, and spent a lot of that year hanging out. I hadn't seen her since my high school graduation. I pointed to her and literally hollered, "I cannot believe I am looking at Amy Ballard!!!" There are some people that you just wish had stayed in your life, even if that would have been impossible. Amy is one of those people. Claudia and Jay DID stay in my life.
Amy and HeidiI saw many friends that night and I won't bore you with too many pictures. There were probably hundreds of pictures taken by all of the people there. I just have to add one more picture, however, because the woman in this picture had a very profound influence on everyone at my school at one time or another.
I met Regina the second day of my Freshman year in Spanish. She was a Junior and when she talked, she sounded like she had laryngitis. And that is how we met. I turned around and said, "Do you have laryngitis or does your voice always sound like that?" She laughed one of those throw back your head laughs and said, "I just always sound like this." That was 22 years ago and she still sounds like she has laryngitis.
Over the years I have tried to find her, and was successful shortly after I married Dave, because I literally called every Regina Battle that I found in Phoenix. I had no idea if she stayed there, but when I heard her voice on the answering machine I was ecstatic. She called me back and we got caught up and have stayed in touch ever since, but just hadn't seen each other yet. Of all of the people at the reunion, I was most excited to see her.
Regina is one of those women that lights up a room and makes everyone around her feel like gold. And literally - she knew every single person at the reunion and could remember specific details about them. I heard over and over again the statement, "Regina SAVED me in high school." I sat back enjoying the moment as I saw her soak up everyone's energy and love. Regina and her husband are ministers now and one of the major reasons she agreed to go to the reunion was so that she could be a missionary to her friends. There were many people there that simply needed to see her. Regina is stunningly beautiful - both then and now. I am very blessed to have had her as a friend and I am so grateful that we are back in each other's lives now!
Regina and me - 2009
Regina and me - 1989
I met Regina the second day of my Freshman year in Spanish. She was a Junior and when she talked, she sounded like she had laryngitis. And that is how we met. I turned around and said, "Do you have laryngitis or does your voice always sound like that?" She laughed one of those throw back your head laughs and said, "I just always sound like this." That was 22 years ago and she still sounds like she has laryngitis.
Over the years I have tried to find her, and was successful shortly after I married Dave, because I literally called every Regina Battle that I found in Phoenix. I had no idea if she stayed there, but when I heard her voice on the answering machine I was ecstatic. She called me back and we got caught up and have stayed in touch ever since, but just hadn't seen each other yet. Of all of the people at the reunion, I was most excited to see her.
Regina is one of those women that lights up a room and makes everyone around her feel like gold. And literally - she knew every single person at the reunion and could remember specific details about them. I heard over and over again the statement, "Regina SAVED me in high school." I sat back enjoying the moment as I saw her soak up everyone's energy and love. Regina and her husband are ministers now and one of the major reasons she agreed to go to the reunion was so that she could be a missionary to her friends. There were many people there that simply needed to see her. Regina is stunningly beautiful - both then and now. I am very blessed to have had her as a friend and I am so grateful that we are back in each other's lives now!
Regina and me - 2009
Regina and me - 1989Like I said, there were many other friends that I was able to see. Here is a mosaic for you!
Top: Amy Trottier and Michelle Ely; Claudia McNaughton, Amy Trottier, Michelle Ely; Amy Trottier and Tara Ruiz; Mina Cholas, Jessica Starr, Rob Hanse
Middle Top: Gen Barson and Shawna Sterne; Heidi Rasmussen, Carl Bisbano, Shawna Sterne, and Amy Trottier; Regina Battle and Claudia McNaugton; Glenn Noone, Danny Flower, Ron Sanchez, Mohammed Oliver, and Jimmy Satterlee;
Middle Bottom: Mike Devito, Michael Levin, Glenn Noone, Kenny Munoz; Mohammed Oliver, Glenn Noone, Todd Lehman, Joel Price; Mohammed Oliver, Ron Sanchez, Dana Andrews; A bunch of people
Bottom: Amy Ballard, Mohammed Oliver; Aimee Rogers, Sharon Newkirk, Tony Romanello, Amy Ballard, April Burke; Regina Battle, Heidi Rasmussen, Amy Ballard; Heidi Rasmussen and Robert Arellano
Top: Amy Trottier and Michelle Ely; Claudia McNaughton, Amy Trottier, Michelle Ely; Amy Trottier and Tara Ruiz; Mina Cholas, Jessica Starr, Rob Hanse
Middle Top: Gen Barson and Shawna Sterne; Heidi Rasmussen, Carl Bisbano, Shawna Sterne, and Amy Trottier; Regina Battle and Claudia McNaugton; Glenn Noone, Danny Flower, Ron Sanchez, Mohammed Oliver, and Jimmy Satterlee;
Middle Bottom: Mike Devito, Michael Levin, Glenn Noone, Kenny Munoz; Mohammed Oliver, Glenn Noone, Todd Lehman, Joel Price; Mohammed Oliver, Ron Sanchez, Dana Andrews; A bunch of people
Bottom: Amy Ballard, Mohammed Oliver; Aimee Rogers, Sharon Newkirk, Tony Romanello, Amy Ballard, April Burke; Regina Battle, Heidi Rasmussen, Amy Ballard; Heidi Rasmussen and Robert Arellano
Midway....Ahhhhh
Several years ago my parents bought a timeshare condo in Midway. I was living in Virginia at the time, but was in Utah for a wedding so I went up for the day to see it. Love at first sight - that's all I have to say about that! A year later Dave and I spent our very short honeymoon there. After moving back to Utah, we have gone as often as possible, and now want to retire in Midway with all of our neighbors. Seriously.
For Josh's Fall break we decided to spend the first three days in Midway - swimming, shopping, and relaxing. As relaxing as life ever is with a 6 and 3 1/2 year old. Dave went to work from there (same commute!) so that he wouldn't have to take extra vacation days. The first day, however, he had minor surgery on his head to remove a benign cyst. My mom and I took advantage of his post-op to go to the outlet malls before heading to Salt Lake to see my cousin, Eric, perform in "A Chorus Line". He was phenomenal. And so was shopping. Apparently the best sales at the outlet mall are after the flood of back to school shoppers are gone.
Tuesday we wandered around the little shops in Midway, took the kids swimming and to the park, and then took them for a ride on the carousel at the Zermatt resort next door. They loved it! We were sad to leave, but, we will definitely be back!
For Josh's Fall break we decided to spend the first three days in Midway - swimming, shopping, and relaxing. As relaxing as life ever is with a 6 and 3 1/2 year old. Dave went to work from there (same commute!) so that he wouldn't have to take extra vacation days. The first day, however, he had minor surgery on his head to remove a benign cyst. My mom and I took advantage of his post-op to go to the outlet malls before heading to Salt Lake to see my cousin, Eric, perform in "A Chorus Line". He was phenomenal. And so was shopping. Apparently the best sales at the outlet mall are after the flood of back to school shoppers are gone.
Tuesday we wandered around the little shops in Midway, took the kids swimming and to the park, and then took them for a ride on the carousel at the Zermatt resort next door. They loved it! We were sad to leave, but, we will definitely be back!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Buddy Walk
BodeA few years ago I got an invite from my friend Natalie to participate in a Buddy Walk for her little boy who has Down Syndrome. Unfortunately, we were going to be out of town, but since then I have really wanted to be able to do this, and this was a great year for it. The day was beautiful and it was the last really warm day before cold weather set in. Since Josh started school, I have looked for opportunities to teach him about how everyone is different and that we should look at who the person is and not what they look like. I talked to him about our sweet friend, Bode, and that we were walking to help raise money to help kids like him. He asked a lot of questions and I never really know how he is processing it until later, but he seemed to understand.
The Buddy Walk started with a carnival that was PERFECT for little kids. There were all sorts of really fast activities such as putting, bowling, face painting, fishing, and a cake walk. Josh and Clara were in heaven running around as fast as their little legs could carry them. Dave and I split up so that we wouldn't lose them because it isn't easy to find your kid when they are wearing the same t-shirt as every other kid!
Josh putting for candy
Clara on the cake walk - not entirely sure why she is not wearing shoes
Josh and Clara enjoying their cupcakes
Clara showing off her new beads.
Josh getting his hand painted (he's not big on face stuff)
Dave carrying the Bode sign!
Natalie - Bode's mom and one of the most amazing women I know!
Team Bode had the most people there. Doesn't surprise me!
Chad, Allison and TJ - (love that sassy look, Allison!)
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