Post Number 100!

And y'all are still reading...

Thank You!

Updates all around...

Lunch went the generic "well". Apparently, the other owners of the aforementioned local company thought John was a good fit personality-wise. And they were very impressed with his resume. They didn't even laugh when the dreaded subject of compensation was addressed. It seems that the only thing they didn't like about John was that he does not have the mohawk anymore. Go figure! We should hear more from them soon.

And...

The company in New York called John this afternoon. I know it will shock some of you, but central New York has been experiencing some rather nasty weather. (Again, go figure!) It has gotten bad enough that the remaining interview has still not occurred. Add to that news, the fact that the owner of the company (who was present for John's interview) has experienced a family emergency that has taken him out of town. So, things will progress when they progress. On a more positive note, the woman who contacted John (another of the interviewers) told him that they think very highly of him, and she hopes he won't give up on them.

So he's got that going for him... which is nice. ;)

Hometown Heroes

It recently occurred to John to call a friend of his who is part owner of a (relevant) business here in town. Although he has not worked for them, John has worked with them before, and they like him enough to try to open a spot for him within their company. Given the current market, I'm not sure that they will be able to come through with a position that would allow us to stay here, but...

You know what? I need to censor my pessimistic mouth. It's time to practice my attitude change:

John is having lunch with a potential employer right now!

Regarding NY...

We're still waiting. Their final interview candidate was supposed to meet with them last Tuesday, and John was supposed to hear from them shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, that interview was rescheduled for this week, but I don't know when. John will start calling them again today or tomorrow probably. Hopefully, we'll know something soon. Keep your fingers crossed!

Smell me, baby!

Recently, I found some Herbal Essences shampoo on clearance at our local drug store. It's not the salon stuff I prefer, but we are currently trying to keep unnecessary expenses down, so I purchased it. And although I like it, the fragrance hasn't been making John as happy as the commercials suggest. (The only time he moans and groans in the shower is when I "accidentally" flush the toilet...

What he said: "Honey, you're going to need a weed-whacker to deforest those legs!"
What I heard: "Scald me."

... Really, can you blame me?) So, I just got back from the drug store, where I bought John some "man" shampoo. You know the stuff - it's just like every other shampoo, but costs a little more because it smells... manly. John is really concerned with smell, but that's not a bad thing. If there is one thing all of my girlfriends can agree upon, it's that my John smells gooooood!

Good friends are good for the ego.

I stopped by to see my friend Angi today. Catching up with her is always a treat. She's sweet, and funny, and obviously blind. These exact words came out of her mouth:

"You're so thin! You look like Barbie! Your hair looks great! Did you just have it done?"

I swear, I've gained 10 pounds since I saw her last, and I'm at least two months overdue for a cut and color. Really, it's amazing she's allowed to drive a car. God, I love her!

Blinking is almost as funny as "NO".

As with most mornings at about this time, I am currently curled up in my big red chair, checking my e-mail, and looking to see if any of my friends have posted to their blogs since yesterday. JJ is happily scurrying around the room, playing with various toys, trying to touch things he shouldn't, and occasionally running into the coffee table. Every once in a while, he takes a break to plant himself in front of my chair with his arms up. Knowing that there is only a short window for cuddle-time before JJ must resume his million mile walk of destruction in our family room, I am certain to take full advantage of whatever he will allow me. So, I put my laptop aside, and snuggle with the most adorable kid on the planet. And then I take a moment to thank God for instinctual reflex, because apparently the look I so desperately want to mean, "You are the greatest Mommy ever, and I love you sooooo much!" actually turns out to mean, "I wonder if I can actually TOUCH your eyeball."

A Song For Erin

I didn't sing this at the going-away party Friday night. Y'all can thank me later... ;)

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
Can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter in your life is through

But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say "never"
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends...

The New York Interview

John says it went very well. But then again, he always says it went well, so I really have no idea what that means. The company told him they would be in touch with him the beginning of next week to let him know of their plans. Of course, we've heard that before also.

So really, we know pretty much nothing. And now you do, too.

Happy Valentine's Day!

My valentine, who does not believe the day actually begins until noon, got himself up, and was on the road by 4:30 this morning. He drove through the snow of four states to make it home to JJ and me before the morning was even over. That, my friends, is love.

Now, the race is on, and he's snoring on the couch. But I'll let him sleep. Because I love him, too.

If You're Happy and You Know It...

...shouldn't that be enough?

And really, if your face is surely showing it, isn't all the clapping and stomping and whatever else just rubbing it in the faces of those who are not happy?

He can cook, too!

Through freezing rain and snow, in a Jeep with four bald tires, he made it safe and sound. (I could write country music.)

This morning, he went to a breakfast hosted by the local Boy Scouts. It seemed rather appropriate, as that is where John worked his way through the ranks to become an Eagle Scout. Yep, my Harley-riding, tattooed husband, with the (former - he is trying to get a job) mohawk, the goatee, and the build of a slightly aging linebacker, is an Eagle Scout.

He's on his way to Syracuse, NY!

John left for Syracuse this afternoon. His phone interview went well - so well that they want to meet him in person on Tuesday. Unfortunately, Mother Nature has plans for that area of NY that involve heavy snow and difficult driving conditions starting today and only getting worse into next week. Fortunately, The Weather Channel gave us the heads-up, so he has been able to beat most of it by leaving early. Wish him luck!

Update

I realize that I pretty much left y'all hanging regarding John's interview in Richmond, but really, they started it. They told him that they would have a decision made by the end of last week, but he did not hear from them. So, at the beginning of this week, he made several attempts to contact both of the interviewers. They have not responded - at all. They are not even communicating with the recruiter who set John up with the company. With such poor business practices, I'm very glad he has not received an offer from them. I just wish we'd have known before the giant waste of time and money that was that interview.

Did you see this coming?

I told my 15-month-old son this morning that I was going to get the yellow pages and look up gypsies if he didn't stop whining.

It didn't work.

Huh.

Bummin' me out.

Remember the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival? Nearly 900 bloggers gave things away. Personally, I commented on *around* 200 posts. I spent HOURS reading rules and regulations, making sure to leave appropriate comments, and NOT sleeping. And after all of that work, what did I win?

Nothing. Zip. Nada. Bupkis. Phhhit.

I did find a few new blogs that I am really enjoying reading, but... C'mon!

I know what my friends like.

Click here: Cool deal for my oldest and dearest friend Ashley, or anyone else who lives anywhere near a Chipotle franchise, and pretty much lives on their tasty Tex-Mex faire, because I know my parents haven't had you over for dinner lately, and you're birthday is coming up soon, but I probably won't be sending you anything 'cause John still isn't working, and we really don't do that anyway.

Better get on it!

Random Thought From a Cluttered Mind

I would like to see somebody open a bowling alley and call it The Super-Bowl.

The lanes could have hash marks. And each of them could be fashioned after a football team. The balls could be team colors, and the pins could be the colors of their rival team. Of course, they'd have to hire extra help to keep everything sorted.

Winning segue...

I've spent the last few days perusing the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival, where I have found myself completely overwhelmed by the (at this writing) nearly 900 bloggers - giving stuff away! If you haven't been there yet, you should definitely visit. And who knows, you may just win something. Worst case scenario: you'll find some great new blogs. That's a win-win situation, my friends.

I have personally entered... uh... many (with as little sleep as I have had, trying to visit all of these awesome blogs, I've lost count) of said contests. The drawings for the winners should commence soon, and continue over the next few days, so let's keep this line open...

I just can't lose for winning.

As many of you already know, I recently lost a relative in Nigeria. We mourned his death for a while because he was family. But, as we had no idea who he was, or how he was related to me, the grief period was rather short-lived. We were pleasantly surprised however, to find that he apparently left us a large fortune.

Now, I've heard before that money follows money. Surely that must be the case, because just recently, I won the Australian lottery. To further prove the adage, I then won the UK lottery. And this morning, I received E-mail notification that I won the lottery in Hong Kong. Truly, magic must happen for the wealthy, because I never even bought a ticket!

Maybe my lost relative, King What's-His-Noodle, bought them before he died. Perhaps I'll reference my secret code and ask.