So, What’s Up with Gina?

Where to begin!  So much has happened in a short amount of time, it’s hard to even have enough recall to post anything here that isn’t dizzying!  But, I will try!

Probably as no surprise to my regular readers, Dupar’s was getting worse and the owner was escalating his questionable behaviors. I can’t really get into the details of it, but I left on 11/20 knowing pretty much I will never be paid again from them.  It went south from there, but I was determined to focus on the positive things that had been scheduled in my life; an important celebration, Thanksgiving, and my trip to England and Scotland with Deana.  I was freaking out on many levels, but kept that at bay at least through the listed items.   (On a good note, BB kind of acknowledges the crap I put up with because he is paying for my insurance through February, which I do appreciate very much!)

About a month before this all happened, Edgar asked if I would be willing to move to Texas. I was agreeable, but said I would not until my lease was up at the end of July. I gave him permission to move earlier with the boys if he needed to (he has been struggling financially due to the CA economy). With the change of my job situation, I contacted my landlord and said I needed to break the lease, that I would be moving to Texas by the end of the year. The day before Thanksgiving, I sent out 5 resumes to Texas companies, just to get my feet wet. For comparison, I had sent over 300 resumes out in CA over the previous 8 weeks, with only 5 calls back and the offers were pathetic. Anyway, before even boarding the plane to London that Friday (the day after Thanksgiving), I had one interview set up. In Scotland, I received a call for another! So I had two interviews scheduled for the week after I returned from my trip.

Long story short, I got the job I wanted in Texas! I have been here in Texas since one day after returning from Scotland and Deana has been frantically packing in my absence. Edgar’s last day of work was 12/15 and he will be leaving after Christmas (which is when I originally had planned on driving out).  I started my new job 12/15 and on the first day went to Oklahoma for an on-site client trip!  I was in Oklahoma for four days, drove back to Dallas on that Friday, then flew to LA early Saturday morning…..only to turn around and drive over the weekend with Deana, Kenny, Zack and Sophia back to Texas. Josh chose to drive out with Edgar. Kirstie is staying in California to finish school and then who knows what will happen.  We are staying for a few months with Deana’s Mom, who has a big house, and hope to settle down once I get my savings back up.

Christmas was a bit different but very pleasant.  And, for the first time in my life, I watched snow falling on Christmas Eve.  The snow remained on the ground for half of the day on Christmas, before the sun withered it away.  Kenny, Zack, and Sophia got a kick out of that for sure!  It was weird being apart from Kirstie and Josh though!

I LOVE my job though!  I am replacing Joe, an 82-year-old brilliant man!  I will have to share some tidbits of Joe soon as he is truly a wonderful man.

Until then, Gina is OUT!

September Birthdays – Two Down, One To Go

Well, I don’t have time to write much now, but I have Kirstie and Josh’s birthday under my belt and Sophia’s is right around the corner! They celebrations have been full of activity and this old lady needs some sleep, lol!  I am always blessed by those who called, wrote, and otherwise blessed my children!  Thank you!

More later!

Kenny and Mother’s Day

This year, Kenny’s 14th birthday falls on Mother’s Day.  He has been very gracious to me, giving me the day.  And, because his humor is a bit like mine, I wanted to share his card message to me with you all!

Dear Mom,

Thank you for being the best and coolest mom ever.  Its kinda funny that you had to get surgery because you stood up on a surfboard for 2 oh sorry “10” seconds.  I love you so much.

Love,

your favorite son ever,

Kenny

I love it…..

Yes, I do actually love some things!

  • Kirstie, who sends me awesome IM’s during the day ~ especially when she says she can spend Mother’s Day with me!
  • Kenny, who is reminding me to get off my butt and start training for the mud run!  AND prepare for our “special birthday day” we do together each year for his birthday.
  • Josh, who tells me I am the best mom in the world.  So niave!
  • My friends, who keep me laughing throughout the day with calls, texts, IMs, and FB comments!  I couldn’t make it without you!

I am SOOOOOOOOO looking forward to this Mother’s Day!  All my kids will be there, we are going to THE BEACH, and it will be so much fun!!!!!  It is also Kenny’s 14th birthday, so its extra special.

I LOVE IT!

Evidence that Life Can Be Good

Well, I have eluded to the fact that, well, life has sucked on and off lately.  But I have incredible friends and family who love me enough to “kidnap” me and force me to relax and rewind!

Day 1 of the Kidnap Weekend – Bolsa Chica State Beach!

Me and Jen, Super Lifeguards!

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Surfs UP!

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Here is the ladybug I saved from drowning. I was very touched by that.

Until I realized there were about 5,000 ladybugs on the beach and many of them “accidentally died” after they played with the kids.

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Jen and Josh
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Me, Jen, and Josh

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Josh and Soph at sunset

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Me and Zack

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Okay, so apparently you can’t drink alcohol on state beaches.

And I KNEW my beers were sitting in the cooler all day, missing me. So what that I took one into the bathroom when I showered!

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I will try to post the Disneyland pics from Kidnap Day 2!

Gina OUT!

Sweet Story – And My Kid!

Okay, the bigger part of this is that many of you have heard me complain that courtesy and care are harder to find nowadays – especially when younger people are concerned. (Oh my gosh, when did I become my mother?!!?!!? LOL) Anyway, the varsity football players at Canyon High in Santa Clarita Valley proved me wrong. They took their spring break and offered a FREE football camp to elementary and junior high students! They also FED them! My son, Josh, was one of those kids and I can tell you that neither I or his Dad would have been able to afford the camp otherwise. And that just blesses me.

Check out this story/video to see for yourself. Josh is in there VERY QUICKLY at the beginning and the end – he is the quarterback for the yellow team wearing black shorts with white stripes. I am told he was one of the best passers and earned the name “Cannon”.  🙂

Let this be a lesson to me……good things do happen!

I Am Excited…..And Bummed!

So, what part first?  Let’s see……

Okay, the bummer part….tomorrow, Zack is turning 7.  Why is that a bummer?  Well, he is growing up!  I mean, he was just 4, almost 5, when we met him and now he’s PRACTICALLY AN ADULT!  All week I have been telling him, “Zack, your birthday is cancelled – you have to stay six.”  Of course, he said even if I cancelled his birthday, he would still turn 7.  The smart bugger!

I don’t know, 7 sounds SO much older than 6!  But, I guess he is right…..I can’t stop the hands of time!  So, Zack will be 7…..

But the GOOD news – we are going to Disneyland tomorrow!  Yep, that’s right!  Zack gets in free and the rest of us are getting passes!  WHOOT WHOOT!  I am SO excited!  I haven’t been to Disneyland since August and I am SO looking forward to it!  I want to go on the rides, act like a kid, SEE GOOFY (my love), eat junk food, laugh, and celebrate Zack’s birthday!  I feel like a kid the night before too, not being able to sleep!  YIPPEE!!!!

So, on that note, I best get my stuff together for tomorrow.  Hope to post pics after the big day!

An Interview with my Other Kid

~I interviewed Josh, my youngest- age 8 1/2

1. What is something your mom always says to you?
I love you

2. What makes mom happy?
Me saying I love you

3. What makes mom sad?
When we don’t listen and are naughty

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Tickling me

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Well, how should I know? I wasn’t alive then.

6. How old is your mom?
41

7. How tall is your mom?
I never learned that

8. What is your mom’s favorite thing to do?
I think you told me and you said you like being with me and Kenny

9. What does your mom do when you are not around?
Work

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
By being in a movie

11. What is your mom really good at?
There are so many things…..you’re good at singing

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Uh, eeeeee, I’m thinking, don’t rush me…….what if I say something but it’s kind of rude?……Balancing or something? ‘Cause you do everything really good

13. What does your mom do for a job?
Do, like, you do job to job……I forgot how to say it.

14. What is your mom’s favorite food?
Brownies? (Nope! Too sweet!)

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
She finishes what she starts. And she does stuff like get on a scary ride and that makes me so proud of her.

16. If your mom was a cartoon character, what would it be?
Goofy

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Sing

18. How are you and your mom the same?
We both have the same nose. (Sorry about that Josh!!!)

19. How are you and your mom different?
I’m a boy and she’s a girl

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Well, because she’s my mother and I am her son. And she says, “I love you Josh.”

21. What does your mom like about your Dad
How he acts – he makes her laugh

22. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go?
Anywhere with me.