Do You Have an Award Winning Movie in You?

Are you getting tired of your current profession? If this is the case, you should take steps to put yourself on a better career path. There is no reason that you should spend the rest of your life doing a job that you are not excited about. So what will your new job be? There are certainly many things you can try your hand at. Are you a big movie fan? With the Oscars coming up, you may be thinking about channeling your enthusiasm for movies into a new career as a screenwriter. There are many reasons why this could be a great career change for you.

Consider all of these things:

1. You will finally be able to be your own boss.
   Being a professional screenwriter gives you an enormous amount of personal freedom that most other jobs will not be able to match. You will determine how much you work and when you will do your writing. You will no longer have a boss looking over your shoulder for 40 hours each week. The ability to take control of their own destiny is something that most people desire. However, very few of them will ever realize this dream. You will control your own destiny if you work as a screenwriter.
2. You will have a job that allows you to be creative.
   There are far too many people who are stuck working at jobs that do not challenge them at all. They are very repetitive and boring. Writing screenplays for a living will get your creative juices flowing. You can think up stories about any subject that interests you. You might even be interested in writing an adapted screenplay of a novel that you read in the past. It is completely up to you.
3. You will have more free time.
   Having to go to a full-time job means that you do not have a lot of personal time. Becoming a screenwriter will definitely free up your schedule. You will no longer need to get up at the crack of dawn and sit in rush hour traffic every day. You can use this extra free time to travel or spend more time with your family. You will have a much more leisurely lifestyle than you had before.
4. The money is very good.
   You will find that screenwriters make a very nice living. You will not be disappointed with your pay if you sell a screenplay.

Who knows - maybe the next Oscar-winning movie will come from your imagination!

My Husband Left Tonight

... to go start his new job tomorrow.

So things are going to be a bit different around here.  He'll be in Champaign all week working while I'm here.  And then he'll be home on the weekends.  We did this about 15 years ago - only in the opposite direction.  Then, I was down in the Champaign area, and he was spending his weeks up here working.  Back then I had two little kids, too.  So this will be easier, right?

Jeffrey is staying in a hotel this week, and then he'll go and sign a short-term lease on an apartment somewhere near the end of the week and be able to move into the apartment next Sunday when he goes back.  He was thinking of staying in an extended-stay hotel - and he got a decent rate on that at $40/night - but by getting an apartment he'll be able to stay there for 4 months and only spend about as much as he would have for 2 months in the hotel.

Hopefully that will give us a nice window of time to sell our house, find a house down there, and get everything moved - starting next weekend when he takes a trailer full of stuff that he's going to need for living in the apartment. Yes, we got a trailer this last week - something Jeffrey has been wanting for a long time, and something that will really help with the move.  After all, he's going to be driving back and forth most weekends so he might as well make the most of those trips, right?  And then he'll be able to use it for sound gear or whatever else it is he needs it for.

First he's going to be taking stuff for the apartment - which, by the way, is directly across the street from where he'll be working and also the same apartment complex we used to live in way back when we were first married and when both kids were born.  We have plenty of 'extra' stuff around here so he shouldn't need to buy anything to furnish an apartment.  It might not be perfect, but it will do.  He's already got a bed, dresser, futon, tv stand, coffee table, and more loaded into the trailer.  Getting some of the stuff out of the house is hopefully helping it to look better when people come to look at it, so that's another benefit.

After he gets moved into the apartment, we'll start loading the trailer with all kinds of other stuff - from the basement, the garage, the shed, etc. - and he'll rent a storage unit to store it all down there.  And we'll be getting rid of stuff as we go.  We have already - donated to Goodwill, recycled, thrown away - and I'm sure we'll do more of that, too, but there's still a lot of stuff that needs to be moved - and he's going that way anyway!  I just have to stay busy and pack things up so he'll have a trailer-full to move, if not every week, at least every other week.

This week I've got to pack him up all the little things he's going to need in the apartment, like dishes, pots & pans, towels, etc.  Getting some of the dishes and stuff out of cabinets, closets and drawers is also going to help them all look better here, and even though I really do use most of the stuff in my kitchen, I really can make do with less for a while.  I really need to make a list!  I already got him some sheets, blankets and a comforter for the bed, and a shower curtain, and some other things as I thought of them, but I'm really going to have to get organized and make sure I get all the important things packed up.  I'll also be packing and cooking him some food and meals, so he won't have to go out all the time.   And so I can start cleaning out the freezer and the pantry - so we don't just have to pack it all up and move it when the time comes.  Yes, he could go shopping for all the basics, but we might as well take it out of what we already have.  This week I just sent him some sandwiches, cheese & crackers, boiled eggs, and stuff like that because he just has a mini fridge in the hotel room and no way to cook anything.  Next week he'll have a stove.  And the microwave from the basement - the one we got when we were first married, the one we had when we lived in that same apartment complex.  And a whole apartment.

And you wonder why I don't have time to blog...

Job Interviews

Image via Wikipedia

While he was on Spring Break, Cory submitted several job applications looking for a summer job.   So far he's had an interview at Best Buy, which went really well, and he has to go back for a 2nd interview with the store manager this evening.  And, he's had an interview at the Subway right there in Whitewater, within biking distance of campus.  He said that one went really well, too, though they were looking for a delivery driver, and he's not old enough.  They're supposed to call him back in the next few days and let him know about working in the store instead of driving.

So, I guess we'll see what happens.  Cory thinks he would really like working at Best Buy, but the Subway job wouldn't have to just be a summer job.  He could start now, work through the summer, and then work during school next year. The Best Buy job would just be for summer and maybe Sundays and breaks during the school year, because it's not close to campus at all.  From home, the driving to either place would be about the same - maybe a bit closer for Subway.

Whatever he ends up doing, selling electronics at Best Buy, making sandwiches at Subway, putting up metal buildings, or anything else, I know he'll do a good job.  And he'll be happiest at a job that lets him interact with a lot of people.

So, keep your fingers crossed and pray that everything works out and he gets what's best for him.  Best Buy, Subway, or something else.

Charlie Sheen Fired

Image by susie.c via Flickr

So the 'news' is that Charlie Sheen has been fired from his job on Two and a Half Men.  Anybody else would have been fired ages ago with all the trouble he's been getting into, but celebrities get away with all kinds of shenanigans, don't they?  Why do we put up with these people, and even look up to them?

Being in the public eye should come with responsibility, not  the 'right' to do anything they want to do, right or wrong.  I'm thinking that most of us, if we knew we were constantly being watched, would be on our best behavior.  Even most hard-working Americans in not-so-visible columbus jobs, manufacturing jobs, or any other jobs in the heartland are on better behavior than many celebrities.

Yes, there are some good people who are also celebrities, who use their influence for good and don't get into trouble all the time.  The others should be fired, like Charlie.

Is Blogging a Real Job?

Now that both kids are out of the house, and one of those kids is in college, my husband said I should get a 'real' job.  He doesn't consider blogging a real job.  I don't keep very good track of how much money I actually make, but I do know I'm not making enough blogging or tweeting that I could pay the bills every month.  But since he makes enough to do that, mostly what I make just goes into the bank.  Once in a while I'll buy something off eBay, and I pay for my domain names with what I make, but I'm still using free hosting instead of paying for web hosting - partially because I'm cheap, but mostly because it works for me, so I don't see any real need to change.  So, I may not make much, but I'm not spending it on much either.

In the meantime, I'm home during the day so I can get the laundry done, fix dinner, bake bread, clean the house, and all the other things that need done around here.  OK, so I don't have to bake bread, but I enjoy it and he enjoys it, and it's one of the first things that would have to go if I wasn't home.  Also, since I'm working from home, it doesn't cost us anything for gas in order for me to get to work somewhere else, and we still have fairly low mileage on the van.  Which is good, because we plan to have it for a while - and then Cory wants it for his vehicle.

The downside to trying to get work done from home is that I find myself caught up in the laundry and cooking and cleaning and sometimes never actually sit down and do any blogging throughout the day.  A couple months ago I decided that I was going to sit down and devote a certain number of hours each day to actually working - no facebook, no entering giveaways, no cleaning, no cooking, no anything - just paid posts and reviews, to see how much money I could make if I really devoted some time to it, instead of just doing it when I can fit some time in.  But I didn't.  So, being away from home would make me ignore that stuff and actually work.  The only problem with that is that nothing gets done when I'm not home.  It just all waits for me.

'Real' job or not, I'm still going to need to find time to get it all done.  Or just figure out a way not to care whether it gets done or not...

One Week Down

Cory's home for the weekend! It's nice to be able to talk to him and see how he's been enjoying college this first week. It sounds like he's been keeping busy, making new friends, and enjoying his classes. What he still needs to do is find a job! But he hasn't had much time

At least one of his friends got and email about work study before she even got to campus, and they helped her get set up with a job. Cory never got any such email, and he hasn't been able to figure out the online job site that is supposed to list available jobs and help students get hooked up with jobs. It's kind of like searching for certified diamonds in a field of dirt. None of them are jumping out and sparkling for him. In fact, the only list of jobs he found looked like they were for graduates. They weren't even in the same town.

It sounds like he'll be doing some emailing and filling out applications when he gets back to campus on Tuesday.

Help With the Job Search

In today's iffy economy, so many people are losing jobs and don't know where to turn. Finding a new job can be extremely stressful, and all resources are welcome, right? The people at Lightship Research have put together a job search strategy that is a little different than the average. It involves developing contacts and helping you get in touch with the people who have the power to hire.

See what people are saying:

"I highly recommend Lightship Research http://www.lightshipresearch.com I was the CTO of a division of a Fortune 500 company and got laid off when the division was sold to another company. I had not looked for a job in 15 years and I didn’t even have a resume. I signed up and in 4 days I had a resume and a target list of companies that we were going to attack. Even though these guys knew how to market me and take care of all the technical aspects of the search, the biggest value to me was guiding me through the process and giving me support all along the way. I got a job in 5 weeks. I think they were glad to get rid of me, I hounded them with questions every day and they were always there to answer them, even on weekends."

T. Klineman, NY

Here's Your Chance to Help Rebuild America

Our economy seems to be in a downward spiral. People are losing their homes and losing their jobs. They're watching their retirement money disappear because of the woes on Wall Street. People are buying less and less and, because demand is down, factories are being shut down and stores are being closed, and people are losing their jobs. Then, because they don't have jobs, they buy less, and we're caught in a vicious cycle.

To fix the economy, are we really supposed to buy more and spend money we don't really have? I have a really hard time accepting that. I think first we have to make sure people have jobs. We need to put our money not into consumable goods, but into worthy projects that will get people working, earning money, and able to support their families.

Rebuilding of America makes it possible for all of us to invest in worthwhile construction projects, projects that will get people working again. They acquire properties that have defaulted to their original lenders, putting people out of work. Rebuilding of America then puts people back to work and finishes the project.

Americans can invest in these projects for as little as $25. That's not much. It's so easy to blow $25 without thinking about it, maybe a dinner out or a movie. Then it's gone. You have nothing to show for it. Or, you can invest it with Rebuilding of America and make a huge difference. Help put some people to work and, yes, make some money in the process. Each investment is fully insured and guaranteed against loss. Every Certificate of Deposit is a securitized FDIC insured investment through a reputable financial institution, and 100% of profits are returned to the investors.

By keeping the initial investment low, Rebuilding of America lets more people get involved. All the $25 investments will be bundled and used to get worthwhile projects up and running again. Rebuilding of America believes in the strength of grassroots community involvement. Do you?

She Wants to Quit

Beth keeps threatening to quit her job. I know it's tough working retail, because I've been there. Done that. I actually enjoyed my job once I moved into the office and the stockroom. :P

It doesn't seem to be the customers causing Beth problems, though. No, it's the other people she has to work with, the ones who have a little power and let it go to their head. Some of them are nice, though. The other day she called in because she had homework she needed to get done. The manager she talked to told her that her schoolwork comes first, and if she could get it done she could come in later and work 'til close. I realize they can't always be flexible like that, because they need people in the store when they need them, but that was really nice. It sounds like some of the other people aren't nearly as understanding.

Beth works a lot of hours, so it would be nice if work was at least tolerable. Every time she complains, we tell her she should use whatever free time she has to look for a new one, but so far she hasn't done anything about it but complain. I wonder if she realizes that if she quits her job without having a new one that she won't be able to have Work Release from school, and she won't be driving the car because she won't have any money to put gas in it? And since Tim doesn't drive (doesn't get his license back until May) she won't be seeing him either. I wonder if that's worth putting up with a few mean people at work?

Heads or Tails - My Job

Today's theme is:

TAILS - Tell about your job (Or one you've had)

I'm a little late getting my Heads or Tails up, but it is still Tuesday, right? It's just that today feels like it should be Monday, and I'm doing all the normal Monday things. Yes, yesterday was a holiday. A lot of people had the day off - not Beth. She had to work 8 hours. That's what happens when you work retail. Been there. Done that. I worked at Kohl's from the time Jeffrey and I got married until Cory was about a year old.

So, that was one of my jobs, but since then my main job has been MOM. Stay home, take care of the kids, cook the meals, clean the house, do the laundry. The truth of the matter is that someone has to do it. I'm just lucky enough to be able to do all that without also having to hold down a full-time (or even part-time) job outside the home. When the kids were little, we talked about my working outside the home, but we came to the conclusion that, with the cost of daycare and with what I would make doing what I was doing, I really wouldn't be making any money. So, it was better for me to stay home with the kids. Since then, I've been doing just that - cooking, cleaning, shopping, finances, helping with homework, volunteering at school, driving kids here, driving kids there.

It's not the kind of job that pays in dollars and cents, but it's a job that pays in all kinds of other ways.

Visit the home of Heads or Tails to see more participants and join in.

When I Grow Up

Image via WikipediaThe other night on Entertainment Tonight they were talking about Cher's new show in Vegas. I said that it would be fun to see that show. We have this really awesome CD - it's a 2-disc set, one live in concert and the other greatest hits. Awesome! So, when I said I'd like to see the Cher show, Jeffrey said that when Cory gets out of high school, I should go get a 'real job' and make some money so we can do things like that. Never mind that I won't have any time to go do anything!

I really don't know what I will do when the kids are out of school and off to college or off on their own. Do I really want to work so we can afford to go places and do things whenever we want to? Will I have to find a 'real job' so we can help pay for college? It would be so much easier if there was something I really loved to do that would pay me the big bucks, wouldn't it? I still haven't figured out what I want to be when I grow up, though.

Oh, and Cher shares my birthday.

Updates I Should Have Made

Jaye asked me yesterday if Beth got to keep her job, and I realized that I never did let you know what happened, did I? Yes, she got hired permanently, so she gets to keep working and making money to pay for her gas and insurance and other stuff like cat food and cat litter. They took longer than they were supposed to to let her know, but in the meantime, she was still getting hours. She is also finally moving out of the fitting room and out into a department, so she's happy about that. She was tired of standing in one place all night. Currently she works Sundays and two nights a week, but this week she's working an extra night. Since she insists that there's never any homework, she might as well be working. Of course, all she wants to do is spend time with Tim, but he's sick this week anyway.

About Tim, he's pretty much kept himself out of trouble and has been working on paying us and everyone else back. We've got part of our money back, and we know where he lives...

Jeffrey's car went into the shop to get fixed Tuesday afternoon, and he picked it up after work yesterday, so it's all fixed. He got a copy of the police report, and, even though they didn't give her a ticket, the police had listed the cause of the accident as 'failure to yield' and therefore her fault. So he called the lady who pulled out in front of him and told her he wanted her insurance to pay for it, and after some paperwork and not much runaround at all, they mailed him a check. They also paid for a rental car so he had something to drive while the car was in the shop.

Anything else you're wondering about? Leave me a comment, and I'll try to bring you up to date so you're not just sitting there or losing sleep wondering what happened.

Tuglink Job Referral Network

I didn't participate in Give Me Five Monday this week because BeccA asked for five hints, tips, tricks or advice about resumes and succeeding in a job hunt. I read quite a few of them, and there was some really helpful information, but I didn't feel like I had anything to add. Do you know how long it has been since I have had to look for a job? With the kids getting older and most likely going out on their own before too long, I may need some of that help and advice myself before too long.

That's something I love so much about the Internet. It seems that no matter what you want to do, there is someone to help you. You've noticed that, right? Here's something that can be very helpful - TugLink.com. It's a job referral network that aims to help job seekers get a shot at their dream job. It's unique in that it connects job seekers with company insiders who can give them an extra tug or helping hand. Job seekers set up their profiles, list their qualifications, add a list of their dream jobs, and even post jobs they are interested in that they have seen elsewhere. When a company insider sees someone they think will be a good match with their company, they can refer that person to the company and help that person get an interview. It's free to register, so get started on the road to your dream job today. That's my one tip.

To learn more, read the Press Release:

---

TugLink.com kicks off another year of helping people start a new career by increasing their chances of landing job interviews this New Year. As its name implies, the web site 'links' job-hunters with company insiders who provide a 'tug', or a helping hand, by referring the right candidates to their employers. Many resources exist today to inform job-seekers about open positions and teach them how to ace the interview process. Getting invited to that coveted job interview, however, remains a key challenge for many candidates.

TugLink is not yet another job board. It is not a traditional social network either. TugLink.com is a job referral network which works as a virtual job wish list whose main and only goal is to connect job candidates with company insiders. These days, information on thousands of vacancies can be easily found on the Internet. As a result, employers are flooded with resumes and even qualified candidates have trouble trying to stand out from the crowd.

TugLink's goal is exactly to reduce this disconnect and provide the missing link to job-seekers. After a quick, no-cost registration on the web site, members set up a Candidate Profile and create their Job Wish List. Here, job-seekers indicate what kind of employment they are looking for in general. For example, 'a full-time Marketing position with a financial services company in the Chicago area'.

Also, job-seekers can post specific jobs that they are interested in. Say, one wants a better job and finds a great career opportunity on a job board like Monster.com or on an admired employer's web site. It can be, for instance, 'a Product Manager at Citibank in New York City' or 'a Software Engineer at Google in Mountain View, California'. TugLink members include description of desired jobs in their Wish List and may get contacted by the target companies' employees registered on TugLink.com. If they see a good match, Insiders refer the right candidate to their company which in most cases results in a job interview.

TugLink.com helps job-seekers get a shot at their dream job; the rest is up to the candidates.

About TugLink Inc.
Launched in late 2007, TugLink was started with the goal of making job search and recruitment a much more effective, satisfying and less costly process both for job hunters and employers. TugLink.com is the first job referral network which connects businesses with potential new hires leveraging the effectiveness of employee referrals. For more information, visit http://www.TugLink.com and watch a short video at http://www.YouTube.com/TugLink

Press Contacts:
Kevin Alemans
(888) 243-4609

---

Beth Got a New Job

Beth had a job interview on Sunday, and she called after school (they got out at 1:00 today) to say that she got the job. She was supposed to go pick up some paperwork so she can get her work permit tomorrow, but I said to call them back and see if her dad can pick it up, since he's going to be there anyway. Well, not the actual store, but in the area. So, she called, and they said that would be fine. It just didn't make sense for her to drive all the way there - 30 minutes - just to pick up some paperwork, if she didn't have to. Then, once she gets her work permit, she's supposed to start orientation at 5:00 tomorrow.

It's only temporary holiday employment - unless they really like her and decide to keep her on - but it's better than what she has now. She hasn't had any hours at the pizza place for several weeks. The boss keeps telling her to check in, and that he wants her to work in Whitewater, but then he never gives her any hours. So, she'll be working at Marshall's at least through the Christmas season. Of course, you know what this means. There's no way we're going anywhere for Thanksgiving, not with someone in the family working retail. And there's no way we're leaving our 17-year-old daughter home alone.

Jeffrey said we might consider leaving her, as long as Tim went to Kentucky with us... Nope - not gonna happen.

On Driving and Work

The kids rode the bus to school for the first time this school year. Beth's been driving every day. According to her thinking last year, that was just the way it was going to be. She would have her license, and she would drive to school every day. Just because. I really didn't point it out to her, because she wouldn't have listened anyway, but she really wasn't going to be driving to school every day just to be driving to school. Not when there's a bus she can ride for free.

But then school started, and she was working four nights a week after school, in the same town she goes to school. So, it just made sense that she drove on those days. Otherwise, she'd have to walk to work, or get a ride, and then someone (mom or dad) would have to pick her up after work. Then, since she was already driving four days, why not drive on Friday, too?

But now, she's not working. First her boss cut her down to two nights a week - which was her original schedule, anyway. Then, he stopped scheduling her at all. She's rather frustrated, since she needs the money - to pay for insurance and gas, and that little matter of a speeding ticket, and whatever else. Oh, the cat. She was supposed to pay to get the cat fixed and de-clawed next month. She drove to school every day this week until today, because she was stopping by work to see if she could get any hours there or get scheduled at the other location, which is further away, but her boss said he'd pay her more if she'd work there so that would help cover the gas. Then, he never got her on the schedule... I'm wondering if there's more to the story than we've heard, but she wants to be all independent and grown up and handle all her own stuff, so she's the one who gets to deal with it.

Anyway, no work means no money which means no gas and no driving unless absolutely necessary. So she had to ride the bus today. She's staying after school to help her dad with the sound system because he's doing sound for the school musical. Cory will come home on the bus, and then he and I will go over to the school later, picking up Subway on the way. We were supposed to get Subway yesterday, but just never found the time between setting up and watching the practice and rehearsal. Cory was rather disappointed. Me too, actually - we really didn't get anything to eat all day and all night, and we didn't get home until 10:30. Tonight will probably be just as late, and we really didn't need to have three vehicles to drive home, when we really didn't need to.

No School

The kids are out of school today and tomorrow because of the State Teacher Convention. I'm not sure what the teachers do, and I know the kids don't care. They're just glad to be out of school. Of course, that means I have them home and have to figure out what to do with them. Cory has a couple birthday parties in the next few days, so he wants to go to Walmart to buy presents. I guess that means we're going to Walmart, at least for a little while. Like it's possible to go to Walmart just for a little while! Ever since we got the Super Walmart, I just cannot get out of there. The store is too big.

Also, sometime today or tomorrow, Beth needs to look for a new job. She got her hours cut way down at her job, and she's not making any money - just when she's got extra expenses like a speeding ticket. And she has to pay for her insurance (unless she surprises us and pulls out the B average) and will need to get the kitty fixed and declawed in December. Life's not cheap, is it?

Dreams Don't Just Happen

With two kids in high school, the discussion about what they are going to do with their lives comes up quite often. Beth thinks she wants to go into interior design, mainly because they had a unit in their 8th grade FACE class, and this came really easily for her. I don't doubt that she has the talent, and she could do anything she wanted to do. However, she doesn't really want to put any effort into it, and she's always complaining that there are no classes in high school that relate to interior design at all. We just can't get through to her that, she still needs to do her best in school, whatever the classes, or it could hurt her in the future when it comes to pursuing her dream of being an interior designer.

Maybe something like The Dream Online Community would help? This FREE forum is dedicated to giving dreamers the chance to connect, share their dreams, and help each other to achieve those dreams - whether dreams of prosperity and wealth, making a difference, or of doing something you love. There aren't many members or posts yet, but they are just getting started.

Beth really needs someone besides her parents to tell her that yes, her dream can come true, but she will have to work at it. I don't think her friends are telling her. They all seem the type to want more and then expect someone to hand it to them. It's hard to watch, when we want so much more for our daughter.

That'll Keep Her Busy

Beth told me yesterday that, starting the 28th, she'll be working Tuesday nights, too. Currently she 'works' Monday and Wednesday nights from 4-9. I say 'works' because it doesn't sound like she really does much - just hangs around waiting for the phone to ring. She has time to work on wordsearch puzzles and talk to her friends who come by. Occasionally she does have to take orders and actually make some food, but overall it sounds like a real cushy job. And she gets paid to do it. Yeah, she's got it tough!

It does sound like she should be a little busier on Tuesday nights because it's their 2 for 1 night, where, if you buy 1 pizza you get 1 free. So they get more orders coming in. I think I might have to get pizza on Tuesday night sometime. They have some that sound really good.

School starts soon - the day after Labor Day - and I'm hoping she can handle working and school. Of course, her priority is work, because she gets paid for that. School has never been a high priority with her, even now that her grades directly affect the cost of her car insurance. Since she doesn't have a B average yet, she has to pay for her own insurance. You'd think she'd hate to have to do that - less money to spend on clothes and such - but she seems to think that is easier to do than actually do the school work and get the grades.

At least she has some extra time at work, so there won't be any excuses for not getting homework done.

Paperwork

Cory called to set up his appointment at Kelly Services so he can fill out his paperwork and be all employed - at least for a few days. He's on the phone, and comes out to ask me if 9:30 is alright. 9:30am? Tomorrow. I'm running things through my head trying to figure out any way to possibly make that work. Cory's not even usually out of bed by that time. Never mind. I can get him up earlier. But tomorrow is Friday. I can't take a quick shower. I need to shave my legs, and that's not quick. So, if we need to be like 45 minutes away at 9:30am, what time do we have to leave? I guess I could take him before my shower, but I really don't like going out in public like that. Yes, I go out walking like that, but that's excusable. Actually going somewhere? Not so much.

So he asked if we could go sometime in the afternoon. Anytime before 3pm. That works.

The Kids are Gonna Work

It sounds like the kids are going to get to work practically every day at the Wisconsin State Fair. They're pretty happy about that, because they will make quite a bit of money. I can't remember how many days Beth worked last year, but she's getting more this year. Cory has band camp the first week of August, so he'll miss the opening day of the fair, but after that he's working too. At first Beth wasn't thrilled at all about her brother working too, since they will have to work together. It just doesn't make sense otherwise or there would be a lot of driving involved. This year, since Beth can drive, it will be nice. Last year, Jeffrey had to leave work to take Beth and Cristina to the fair and then pick them up after work. This year it sounds like they will be working the afternoon/evening shift, so Beth can drive down there and drive home after work. Cristina's working again this year, too, so the three of them will be working together.

We took Cory and got his work permit yesterday, so today he has to call Kelly Services and get an appointment set up to go fill out his paperwork. The girls already did that last year, so they're taken care of.

Beth is also working this week and next at the Italian/pizza place in Palmyra to cover for her friend Ali, who is on vacation. Last night was her first night. She was a little worried about not knowing what she was doing, though she did go in a couple of times with Ali to get some training. It sounds like she did fine, and the owner/manager (I'm not sure which) of the place offered her a regular job, two nights a week. So far she doesn't have anything else lined up, so this will be good. Two nights a week is better than nothing, and maybe plenty when school starts. Another good thing about it is, that if she's still working there during school, she can walk to work after school and doesn't necessarily need to drive. Yes, someone will have to pick her up after work, but that's ok.