A NEW Decade!

When I think ahead to 10 years from now it seems like forever away!

When I think back 10 years ago, it seems like just yesterday.

That always baffels me. Thinking on the "decades" of my life is interesting, because being born in a "new decade" I count the decades of my life with the decades of time.

My first decade of childhood, is a blurred memory.

My second decade, the 90s. Most people hate that 1o year span of teen years but I really loved it. My classmates in high school had for the most part been together since we were 6. We were a family, and as family goes, we were NOT always a happy one, but we had fun. I remember those days as if they were yesterday. My first kiss, my first love, so many firsts. I'm not as close to all of those friends as I once was, but when we do see each other, its as if nothing changed. High school graduation, a bitter sweet milestone. Exactly a decade later, my baby girl Bridge had hers. Crazy. I sat at her graduation, feeling like it was just yesterday I walked those same halls and crowned Mary as she did. College started at the very end of that decade. I'd have to say that first semester, I would have rather been back in high school....wishing the decade wasn't closing. I rung in 2000 with my high school sweetheart babysitting for the naked family, a quiet evening for 20 year olds, but it summed up who I was then......No computers crashed, no crazy business, the world didn't end.......Y2K was nothing.....

The past decade....would have been my growing decade. I went from a spoiled teenager to a mature adult. Sure I'm still spoiled, but I'm now mature about it ;-) I found my place in college and can say they were some of the best years of my life! I am forever grateful to my bestest friend who helped me take big steps and let go of my past and find my way towards my future. We are not as close as we were then, as life obviously takes drastic turns, but he will forever have a place in my heart for that. In these last 10 years, I met and married my husband, I created friendships with awesome women who are some of the BEST people in the world, I had two children, I bought my first house, I started my first career (better late then never), and I learned a lot about myself and the world! I spent a lot of these 10 years looking forward to the next thing. It was a great 10 years. I rung in this new decade on another quiet family evening, playing games and having laughs with my dad's family and my husband....again, a calmer New Years Eve in comparison to the ones in the decade coming to a close, but nice all the same......

As I look forward to the upcoming 10 years and think of what I want, its something I've been working on for a year, but will continue with because its an important one. I have to turn 30 this year, and while I DONT love that idea, I've decided if I have to leave my 20s I will do so in the best shape of my life....both physically and emotionally. My daughter is in her formadable years, and if there is ANYTHING I can instill in her its to love herself, and I know the best way to do this is to lead by example. SO in this decade, I promise to love myself by taking care of me, and instead of hurring to the next thing, I am going to try to enjoy the little things. So far each decade has gotten better and better, and I hope to keep that up as time goes. In 10 years, when I look back, and my daughter has entered her teens (god help me), I hope to be able to say that once again.......the last decade is BY FAR my favorite :-)

My momma the stripper.....

Izze: Momma goes to work there all the time.
Adult: What does your momma do at work?
Izze: Momma makes moniess for Sunny D!
Adult: How does she make monies?
Izze: Dancin' on the stage!!!!


And there you have it folks. If you ever wanted to know what I do for a living. My daughter can explain it well. Lucky for me the number of people she knows, is small. They include a daycare provider, family and some neighbors. Also lucky for me, somebody from each of those groups attended the event at the High School (momma's work) tonight, so they know that what she really saw, was the young dancers performing, and NOT her momma. She did see some moms do a dance, and some dads do a dance (Neighbor Bob included). So the story may get more interesting with time. But for now, she sticks to the basics.

And on the way out, she announced to anyone who would listen.
"Bob does fireworks in the sky at night! That is naughty."
Eh sorry Bob!
Thats what we get for the police making a visit after the fireworks
demonstration last weekend.

A little over a year ago, I got a new job

POSITION :

Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy, Ma

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:

Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:

Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS:

While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life.