Very Quiet

My kids have seemed to scatter.  Of course you always want you children to turn into happy, independent adults and this is what we've done.

The oldest graduated from the arts and dramatic academy in New York City.  She and her husband have lived in various neighborhoods in Manhattan for nearly ten years.  I'm not sure they will ever leave.  It is a wonderful place for me to go visit them... but I don't think I could live a great length of time out there.

My third daughter graduated from Utah State University and consequently moved to Arkansas the very next week.  Her husband is in dental school down there so I completely understand their need to settle down there.  She served her mission in this area and loved it.  As they prepare and save for a home... I can see their looking at real estate in the south such as Fayetteville and northern kansas city real estate.  Again, it will be wonderful to visit... but I have no desire to live in this part of the country.

And then we have daughter number four.  She also graduated from Utah State University.  She didn't wait a week to move.  She moved the very next day!  And how can I complain when she got her dream job of working for a theatre company in St. George.  She's not too far... but far enough that she can't just pop over for Sunday dinner.

But it's all good isn't it?  People think we're crazy when we say our family gatherings seem so small with only five children.  But trust me when I say... when your used to eleven... it feels very quiet.

This is a sponsored post for Remax, however, all the points and views are my own.

Stay Up To Date

I have been blessed to never really suffer from back pain.  My parents on the other hands seem to deal with this discomfort daily.  I've always wondered why they would have such bad backs.  Neither one of them is overweight.  They both are active and take care of themselves and yet... the silently groan when bending over to pick something up.  They silently ache when getting up off the couch.  And it always seems to be at it's worst first thing in the morning.  And then on a recent visit... I discovered the problem.

First you have to understand that my parents meticulously take care of everything.  My Mom's cell phone is archaic.  It's at least 15 years old and it looks as though she just purchased it.  My Dad's car looks better than the day he got it.  We actually have a waiting list of people who want to buy his car when he decides he wants a new one.  And their bed is the very same bed from when they first married.

On a purchase of a bed, my parents made sure to purchase the very best.  I mean you spend a third of your life sleeping... so it stands to reason that you would want a top of the line bed... and this is what they purchased.  It has stood the test of time.  I swear you would think they bought it yesterday.  Now... here's the problem.  They bought it during a time where it was believed that an incredibly firm mattress was the best thing for your back.  There was no posturepedic or tempurpedic products  There was no pillow top or memory foam.  This mattress is like a rock.  I slept on the thing and thought I would need medical help to get up in the morning.

So despite the fact that my parents can purchase an item and keep it forever in beautiful condition... they still need to keep up with the present and see what it has to offer.  The advances we make daily give you opportunity to improve your life.  It is important to stay up to date on what is out there.

This is a sponsored post for Healthy Back, however, all the points and
views are my own.

Stories To Tell

I work for a company that ships semi trailers of product via all over the United States.  We also receive semi  trailers from as far north as Canada to as far south as Mexico.  In other words, we deal with truck drivers coming and going all day long.  Frequently, drivers will be parked out back waiting for a dock door to open up for them to back into.  And we occasional get the driver who asks to park his rig in the back with a sign:  freightliner trucks for sale.  The variety of trucks is fantastic, but the variety of truck drivers is even better.  And the stories they tell...

We have one driver who travels with three dogs in his trailer.  The stories he tell of how his dogs are his constant companions.  To me it sounds crazy but it works for them.  He must talk to them all day long.  They know what he wants before he even says it.  When he gets out of the truck, they pile out.  And as he climbs in they all jump in with him.

We have another driver who tells stories of the most amazing places he has eaten along his travels.  The most amazing pie in the Midwest.  The most incredible barbecue in the south.  From pizza places to fresh fish, he can tell you the absolute best place to eat anywhere in the country.

They witness things along the side of the road that you just wouldn't believe.  I swear each time a driver tells a story it becomes more and more elaborate and exciting.  Oh.. .the stories they tell.

This is a sponsored post for Navistar, however, all the points and views are my own.

The First Resume

My daughter has been looking for a job this summer.  It used to be so easy to find the perfect summer job.  Babysitting jobs, life guard positions, fast food employment, and other teen friendly ways to make a little extra money.  Now it seems more difficult.  At this time, everyone is having trouble finding a job.  And this makes every job opening even more competitive.  You need a great resume if you hope to make it to an interview.

As an adult who has held many jobs, it's not so hard to create a resume.  In fact, it is sometimes difficult to condense it down to a simple read.  My daughter, on the other hand, has barely enough to make one page.  And that means it's time to find a resume builder and get creative.

She's babysat.  Maybe we can say she was a supervisor over anywhere from two to four subordinates.  She has managed and delegated duties.  She has made important decisions which had direct impact on the organization as a whole.  Yes.  That sounds professional.

She's had cleaning jobs.  We will consider this a maintenance position where she was entirely responsible for the condition of her "office".  She has worked in many environments, both commercial and of the private sector.  She not only maintained the work schedule, she worked independently.

And her favorite job was scooping ice cream at our local favorite ice cream shop.  This would most definitely be considered a customer service position, as well as something in the communications and public relations field.  A pleasant presentation and outgoing personality were all requirements for the duties in which she was hired to work directly with the public.

Yes.  A creative resume.

This is a sponsored post for Pongo, however, all the points and views are my own.

The Bucket List

Everyone should have a bucket list.  I was blessed to have a life threatening illness while in my teens.  Many people comment on my use of the word "blessed" but trust me when I say... I have been blessed by this event in my life.  I have been given a perspective that makes my life even better.  Everyday is a new experience, everyday I want to create another wonderful memory.  A bucket list is a part of this way of living.

A bucket list comprises those things that you absolutely have to do before, well... you kick the bucket.  My list includes the most important, like seeing my children graduate from college, or get married.  It includes baking cookies and playing with my grandchildren.  But a list like this makes you think... and tell the ones you love how important they are to you.

And then my list also contains the crazy things that I just want to experience.  Packing chocolates at my favorite chocolate factory, becoming an ice cream tester, or be the ice cream man for a day.  Driving the truck with the music which draws children running for blocks.  I want to sky dive and para sail.  And I want to eat my way through Europe.

And I want to take all of my children and their spouses and children on a fabulous family vacation!  We spent a lot of years camping... but I want to fly on a Charter plane service and stay in a luxurious hotel on the beach and just play and enjoy my family close around me.  Everyone at once!  This is the best item on my bucket list.

This is a sponsored post for Clear Jet, however, all the points and views are my own.

Bad... And Yet A Great Experience

I recently purchased a bag online.  It was a black leather messenger bag for my daughter's college graduation gift.  She was getting a Bachelors of Science degree in Social Work and I thought it would be perfect for her case files, iPad, and other tools for her work.  It was beautiful online, but when it arrived, I was more than disappointed.  I was disillusioned.

The bag was cheap and the so called "leather" was crinkled like plastic.  It most certainly did not smell of leather.  More like a vinyl like plastic smell.  I paid over $100 for this bag.  Granted, I knew that a leather bag of this type would have been closer to $300 but it was on line and it was a "Sale" item.  Well, sale or no sale, this bag was not worth $25.  I found a contact phone number on the website and called immediately.  I informed the customer service representative that this bag was cheaply made and was certainly not any kind of leather.  He replied that the bag was not supposed to be made of leather and acted like that was pretty obvious.  He further explained that although the description includes the many pockets, compartments and features of the bag, it never states what the bag is made of.  I then replied "please read the NAME of the bag."  To which he replied "Black Leather Messenger Bag".

Now here's the incredible part:  He very kindly said that I was completely correct and that he would refund my full amount plus shipping!  I thought this might take several weeks to see my money, but no!  My bank account reflected the amount in less than a week!  He indicated that they had a wonderful billing system that allows them to track virtually everything.  Their subscription management service included all facets of my order, form of payment, date and time of payment, ship date, notes on the return, and countless other information!  They knew everything about my order and how to process the return.

The thing that is so funny is that although the bag was not as described in the name of the bag, and truly is was a piece of junk, I will continue to shop at this website simply because they had incredible customer service and knew what they were doing. 

This is a sponsored post for Chargify, however, all the points and views are my own.

Finding Your Interest

My youngest son has successfully completed his first year of college.  I have to admit that I was thinking it might be good for him to stay and take another class or two... but he wanted to come home for the summer and I am so glad he did.  I missed that boy!  It turns out he enjoyed being away at school... but not really school.

You see... he doesn't really like school.  He's never been one who took satisfaction in studying or homework.  In high school, he did what was required to get by... to graduate.  My oldest daughter was very much the same way... until we found a school where she could do what she loved... perform.  And she was able to sing, dance, and act... but there were also books... and she didn't seem to mind the books and studying when it was something that truly interested her.  So I'm thinking we just need to find the interest for my son.

He's a very charismatic and charming young man.  He is also strong and excellent with any kind of physical work.  And he is smart... when... it is something he cares about.  Ask him for sports statistics and he can give you them all, explain them all, memorize them all.  During his year of college we tried him in a Communications class thinking maybe a sports reporter... which he liked, received a good grade, but ultimately said he liked it because the professor was great.

My son also wants to make money!  Who doesn't right?  We tried an introductory business school class... where he received a 'B' so I thought we were really on to something.  He said it was somewhat interesting but not sure.  It's a start right?  We just need to find that interest.

This is a sponsored post for the University of Denver, however, all the points and views are my own.