Let me see, what has changed since I blogged last? Let's see.....everything!
To start with, I have entered a new life of a "full time out of the home" working mom combined with the full time mom status. I went from working a 6 hour- a- week retail merchandising job with Hallmark to a seasonal cashier at Target, to a pharmacy technician at Target to finally a full time Flight Attendant. What a journey the last 18 months have been. An exhausting journey. I will finally reach my one year mark as a flight attendant on May 8th and it couldn't come fast enough. What is the big deal about the one year mark you ask? It means that I actually get paid for the majority of the work that I do. Right now I put in a lot of time in as what I affectionately refer to as "volunteer time". Dan always tries to tell me that if I break it down to the actual time I put in vs. the the time I get paid for that I would be making..... I always stop him there because I don't want to drop into a deep abyss of depression. I just keep saying to myself, "Just this much longer. I can hang in there for this much longer." I have had my moments of begging Dear 7 lb. 9 oz. Baby Jesus for just a little more patience and a teaspoon more sanity but in the end I absolutely love what I do. I mean if life requires you to have to go into the work force you might as well love what you do.
With this new chapter in my life has come 15 whopping pounds! When I first put on my uniform I had to take it in 1/2 inch on both sides. I think it was approximately 3 months later when I dug out my seam ripper and unpicked the alteration. Now I wear a cardigan sweater over it in hopes that it will hide my new rolls. I have named the rolls individually and they have become my companions while on my lonely 22 hour layovers in Milwaukee or Flint. Why can't I ever get a good layover somewhere sunny and warm...preferably tropical? Even if I did, I would probably hide as to not scar those who might see me in a swimsuit. " Why do I care", I often ask myself, because I really wouldn't know anybody anyway, but I still do. Vanity, I am sure or maybe the rolls are whispering to me, making me feel self conscience because they have grown as attached to me as I have to them. I often entertain the idea of making appropriate health changes in my life, ie: diet and exercise, but I find myself significantly challenged with what I can actually fit in my lunch bag for my up to 6 days trips as well as "how exactly will I cook this on the coffee pot?" dilemma. Then there is that whole time zone and sleep schedule thing. Excuses, excuses I know. I am sure I will work it out. Hopefully sooner than later because I really don't want to buy bigger uniforms....I mean I still have to fit on the jumpseat.....with another person, too!
Dan and the kids have had to make adjustments also. It has been a challenge to be gone for so long. I have come to the conclusion that the only reason why they miss me is because of my cooking. They often rejoice - and I use that word purposely - ...I mean they are literally singing "MOM IS GREAT. GIVES US CHOCOLATE CAKE" like in Bill Cosby himself but their lyrics are usually something like this..."Mom I love your cooking! Thank you SOOO much for not making us eat cereal or quesadillas again for dinner!" Poor Dan, he tries. But nutrition does not seem to be an issue in our family as Zac is now 5'11" at the age of 14 and Toni is 5'4" at the age of 11 and 1/2. Yup, they have both surpassed their mom in height, which I am constantly reminding them that it was not a difficult task to grow taller than 5'3". Except for Zeke. He is all of 4' 3/4" tall. I needed someone to hang with me!
Perks of the jobs are that we have been able to do a little traveling. I took the kids in July to Washington State to see Grandma and Grandpa. Dan took them back there again in October while he ran the Portland Marathon. ( GO, DAN! ) I was able to take an emergency trip back to Portland to see Dad. We had the opportunity to take the kids to Washington, D.C. in November and most recently we went to see Cathy and her family in Southern California. Hopefully the demands of my schedule will subside slightly and we can do even more traveling.
As a whole, life still remains much of the same. I just think I am more grateful for the daily drudgery's, peace and quiet moments and having the opportunity to kiss my family good morning and goodnight. Life is good : )
