So, here's the first of many blog entries! I guess I'll start with me and my family. Here we go - in a nutshell. I am married to Chris, we have three boys - Nathan 10, Michael 6, Ryan 1. We live in Oak Harbor, WA where my husband is stationed while serving the US Navy. We don't like it here for the most part. I mean, we do have some really good friends and I like the church we attend, but the weather....YUCK! It's beautiful in the summer - which lasts from about the second week of August through the second week of September. BUT, we just got word that we'll be stationed in San Diego and we get to leave here in March '09.
I'm excited - I love new adventures! The kids are, too. They are less enthused about the idea of leaving their friends but since most of their friends' Dads are Navy, they know it's likely we'll be seeing them again soon. So, that makes them feel better.
So, what do I do? I get asked that quite frequently. It's kind of hard to find a short answer that describes everything I "do" and take care of on a daily basis. I mean, people don't want a long and descriptive answer. Seriously - they just want to hear something like "I work at a bank" or "I'm a stay-at-home Mom".
None of those really work for me, and it's not like the people who ask really care what you do anyway - most just ask to fill the silence with words because no one is very comfortable when there's nothing to say. So, I don't have a conventional job anymore, but I'm not exactly "just a housewife".
It's funny the reactions you get...either way. Like in some company, especially women who are career-focused, the response when you say you're a housewife is almost comical. Like, they don't know me or what I've done. I could go into more detail because they'd really be blown away by all my "accomplishments", but people like that...? God love 'em ('cause sometimes I can't), but I really don't care what they think because they're not the type of people I'd necessarily beg to be BFF's with.
The most recent "job" I had was at Frasers Gourmet Hideaway which is a semi-famous upscale restaurant which provides the outstanding service of delectable dishes ... to "high-end people" ... in a beautiful atmosphere (at high-end prices). Most people I come across recognize me from there but know I'm not working there anymore. Then they ask why and want to know what I'm doing now. Do I want to go into detail and tell them that the doctors say I can't do that type of work any longer and why? No. Would they care anyway? Not most. So, I tell them I've taken up drinking. Now, if they really know me then we'll get a good laugh. If they don't, well....I'll get a good laugh. Either way, someone's laughing and laughter is the best medicine...is it not?
I could tell them I am the Family Care Coordinator...for...my family. I make sure our house is in good shape...not just clean, but consistently maintained. I take care of all appointments, schedules, most meals, entertainment, taxi-services and paperwork. Chris, thank God, does the grocery shopping! That in itself is a blessing.
I could also tell them that I'm an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics. I don't most of the time, though. I don't know what it is but as soon as the words leave my mouth people act like I am going to attack them with make-up and force them (at gunpoint) to have a party. That's a bunch of melarchy! I mean, if they don't want anything to do with Mary Kay then well...O-Kay! Why am I devoted to MK? Well, first of all, it's a wonderful product started by a wonderful lady which has amazing results. It's done miracles for my skin, the makeup is the BEST and I can prove it. But, any friendship I develop is totally separate from my MK business. Being my friend is not contingent upon buying Mary Kay or hosting a skin care class! The only thing I can figure is someone somewhere must have really messed things up. So do me a favor - next time someone says they sell Mary Kay, don't avoid them like the plague. They don't have leprosy. If you're not interested, then be an assertive, mature adult and just say so!
So, there's not much more to it right now. The only other thing is that I've been taking time lately to take care of myself. This is a very important thing for everyone to do. I haven't had the opportunity for a long time, though and it was really overdue. I spent seven years as a single Mom paying my own way and working myself to death in the process. I continued to work after I married and had my third child. I also home schooled our eldest for over a year and a half while taking care of a baby and working at night. He is now back in public school with his brother and doing very well so far, so I feel that's a huge accomplishment. However, I have severely neglected myself! So I am really taking care of me right now.
I joined a womens' study group at our church on Wednesday mornings. Not only is it a great opportunity to get closer to the Lord, but other like-minded women at the same time. Ryan gets to play with other kids in the nursery and I get to eat breakfast and finish a sentence! Wednesdays are great for me over all because we get to attend the Wednesday night dinner at church, too! Our church is really great and I would recommend it to everyone. http://www.frcoh.org/
Well I guess this conludes my first blog entry. Ryan is fussy and I haven't had breakfast yet. Until next time...au revoir!
