Thursday, August 30, 2012

Friday Fragments: Episode #213

Mommy's Idea

Wow. I was so tired last night that I forgot to write a proper FF intro!
Welcome!
If your brain is full of minutia today, this is the place to unload it,
clean your plate, get a clean slate...You get the idea--
Collect your small bits-and-pieces thoughts and put them all in one post.
(It's very satisfying and probably the easiest post to write.)

 [To learn more about Friday Fragments, click on the tab above.]

***Big changes are coming our way this weekend--Kyle heads back to school at U.W. Milwaukee and gallantly gives up his room to Maren, our Norwegian exchange student, who will be arriving the same day Kyle leaves. I've been conversing with Maren's parents via email and feel very good about being able to keep in touch, as I'm sure it's not easy to let your child go so far away from home. If she and her parents are okay with it, I'll introduce her to you soon! :)

***It's a sign of a quality friendship (not to mention maturity) when we can have a great time without having to put anyone else down in the process. That's the kind of friendship I truly value, but not always the kind I nurture, I'm ashamed to admit. Need to keep working on that...

***I officially returned to work this week. Fortunately, it was just for lots of meetings and prep, so I survived. Milo and Steve weren't really home alone, because Kyle and Kendall were still around often enough to let them out now and then. Poor Milo doesn't like it when I leave, though; today he  did this as a last resort to keep me home:


Photo: Poor Milo tried this tactic to keep me from going to school today. What a sweetheart this little guy is.... 
(Yes, that's my school bag.)

I steeled myself to his influence, though; I have waaaay too much to do to cave in to his sweetness.

***Speaking of puppies, if you want to catch up on the little cuties, see yesterday's post, Where's the Pupparazzi When You Need 'Em?!

***Kendall's got a new job! She works as a vendor at Lambeau Field, in the club seats. Tonight is her first night, and I feel a little nervous for her, as she has to walk up and down stairs selling brats, pretzels, etc. She'll be under stress, having to use her own money as change until she's sold enough to keep up, having to figure the tab and change in her head, having to deal with the occasional drunk, etc. She gets commission on what she sells and has no hourly wage unless she doesn't make minimum.  It's not the original job she was hired to do, but she accepted the challenge, and I'm proud of her.

***I'm really proud of Kyle, too; he worked his tail off all summer, at a local factory, in unbearably-hot temperatures, day after day, in addition to working weekends for a bouncer company (blow-up bounce houses he set up at parties all over the place). He earned enough to cover his share of the rent this years for his new apartment near campus!  He also completed numerous job applications and finally charmed his inexperienced food-service self into a job as a line-cook at Noodles and Company, located just a couple of minutes from his apartment. Something tells me he won't be going hungry this semester. :)

You know the drill!  Have a great weekend!

27 comments:

  1. Ah the end of summer. Today was day two of school, and except for an insane ever changing early middle school bus time, things are good.

    I can't say I've missed my kids at all! Bwahahaha.

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  2. I'm glad you explained the bouncer company because I was thinking bar bouncer (I've met a few). Working the football stadium that sounds tough. All the best to your kids. They sure will appreciate what it takes to earn money.
    Norway has me thinking of "Norwegian Wood" by the Beatles.

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    1. Kendall just called; she said the job stunk, was really hard, and she made very little money. I wonder if she'll go back!

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  3. Sounds like you have some really hard-working kids! That is such a valuable trait that I feel like is missing from many young adults today. Love the Steve and Milo pictures! They make me smile and wonder if maybe instead of my real-life dog I'd be happier with just a virtual one?

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    1. Well...if you asked me today whether you should have a real-live puppy, I might say no! Milo has hit his "teenage" stage. He's ticked at me for going back to work this week, and last night, he pooped AND peed on the livingroom rug for the first time since we got him! Of course, he was also ticked that Mr.4444 put Steve on the couch next to me (Milo's spot) to sleep off his immunizations). It was a rough night. I'm told this stage lasts about a week, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

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  4. I'm going to miss my chis too, when I go back to work, but at least they won't be alone because hubby is home. Your kids sound like two smart, driven young adults, you did a good job raising them. Btw, did I already tell you that I love Milo? He's so adorable and cute. :)

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    1. Thanks. We raised them with a lot of intent, you know? Good kids aren't usually raised by accident :) Milo is being a real stinker today/last night--Not a fan of my working full time again, I guess. (But no, you can't have him.haha)

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  5. Congrats to both kids on their new jobs! Love the puppy photo shoot!

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    1. Thanks. Kendall had a pretty miserable time last night--It's a tough job. She's going to go back again, but I'm not sure how long it'll last. She said the club seats have a little buffet in the back with gourmet food, but she has to walk around selling brats/pretzels/and cookies, too. The cookies are large but $5 each. Crazy...

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  6. Heather stole my comments from earlier...humm we have been married too long.

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    1. Great--Then I'll repeat my response to her :)haha
      Thanks. Kendall had a pretty miserable time last night--It's a tough job. She's going to go back again, but I'm not sure how long it'll last. She said the club seats have a little buffet in the back with gourmet food, but she has to walk around selling brats/pretzels/and cookies, too. The cookies are large but $5 each. Crazy...

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  7. What a tough job Kendall has. I wouldn't blame her if she didn't go back. My husband told me he had that job when he was young-selling orange juice. He said it was heavy and the weather was awful, the drunks were awful and he made little money. He loved being at the games! How exciting to have an exchange student. I hope she is a good kid:) Good luck to Kyle and good luck to you and your lucky new students!

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    1. Thanks! Kendall said it was "terrible" and that she made only $7 profit. She's discouraged about the job but did love being at the game, and as long as she gets minimum wage, she's going to give it at least another go.

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  8. I always love the fresh start that a new school year brings. Wishing much success to you and your new class, as well as, the school year for your own kids. Hoping Kendall's job improves; maybe she can get moved to a stationary snack stand where she might be more comfortable.

    The best to you all!

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  9. Tell her to sneak a little calculator in her pocket... I get freaked out having to do numbers on the spot myself. & I only have so many fingers & toes to do the math :)

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    1. She's really, really good at math, so I'm sure she has no worries there. She did say it was "terrible" last night, but she plans to go back if she's at least getting minimum wage.

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  10. The job at Lambeau Field sounds tough... the upside, it is Lambeau Field! I am sure she will do well. We had exchange students when we were growing up, it was an experience that I will never forget. They were always wonderfully polite kids. Have a great weekend.

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    1. You're spot-on about the Lambeau experience--She loved that part. It was a tough night, but she's going to give it another go.

      Maren seems like a perfectly nice young woman, and her parents seem really great, too. I'm feeling very positive about it.

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  11. Oh yes...it's the time of year to start returning to school! Hope Kyle has a good semester. And how wonderful to be hosting an exchange student. That will be fun for Kendall too.

    Have a great holiday weekend!

    My post today is inspired by you & Unknown Mami :)

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  12. Congrats to your kids for working hard this summer. It proves hard work does pay off.
    Milo is too cute in your school bag. I love puppies!! Have a super duper weekend!

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  13. Your puppy is way too cute and makes me think I want a puppy but then I think of scooping dog dirt in the back yard and dealing with wet dog on rainy days and going outside in the freezing cold to walk a dog in the winter and I think....I'm so much of a cat person. But your pup is sooooo cute!

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  14. Wow. Kyle should be proud of himself for earning rent for his apartment. Kendall sounds like a great kid to take on the concession challenge.

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  15. Oh boy I must have been really tired this morning because I did comment but I didn't hit send.

    My friend's cousin just went back to live in Norway after living in the States for a whole year. My father actually taught her how to drive.
    I was going to say something about Kendall's job but after reading your responses I see that she had a pretty rough night, that is too bad I hope it gets better for her.

    Bounce houses are not my thing I always get nervous when we have them at work,and I never NEVER jump with the kids because my stomach doesn't like them either!

    Have a great weekend.

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  16. Tucker jumps on my lap and refuses to get down when he knows I'm going somewhere. It's hard to leave them, isn't it? Those cute little faces and all. I haven't posted about this yet but I have a new job too. Well, it's sort of my old job only more. We got funding back! WooHoo! Only this time, instead of just being an interventionist, I have to teach computer too. That should be interesting. At least they're elementary students. :) Anyway, I'm quite glad that Birdie is still at home to ease Tucker into the new routine that will begin September 10.

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  17. Just reading about Kendall's new job made me a nervous wreck. Brave girl.

    Milo's efforts to get you to stay are just too cute for words, much like Milo!

    Thank heavens there wasn't a Noodle place when I was in college; my freshman 15 would have been a solid 40. :)

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