More pictures on the Carnival Conquest

These pictures were taken on the evening of our first night at sea in the Gulf of Mexico on The Carnival Conquest Ship back in Dec.2006. I am pretty tired out sitting in the hallway.We had such a long drive from Iowa to Galveston Texas. Then all the hoopla checking onto the ship. The other pics are of Steve and his dad Bob. It was such a special time bringing Bob with us. I don't think he has really had the chance to take a vacation like that. We all had such a special time together. I am hoping to take a fun trip with my parents someday too.

Night owl

Seems the only time I can get on the computor is at night. I am truly a night owl. I have always liked the evenings. I am NOT a morning person. Never have been, never will be. Anyhow, I have to fight for the computor and it is always in use around here. I don't have my own. Well, I kind of gave it to my youngest daughter to use in her room. It may go to college with her.

So I am trying to think of something profound to say. Ha! I can't think of anything. It was a long day. I subbed at the school today. The kids were pretty good. One gal got lippy with me but then she decided to like me by the end of the day because some of my piano students were in her class and told her I was cool. Hey! That made me feel great. Kind of like a big kid trying to fit in at school. Only about 8 weeks until graduation. Wow did this school year go by fast?

Once again Sanjaya remains on American Idol. He is a cute 17 year old that has alot of potential, but honestly should not be beating out the other contestants who are more polished at this point in time. Something is fishy with the voting this year. I don't know. Melinda Doolittle has my vote as the top winner. Time will tell...
Nite.....

Our house (last year when we moved in)

Anyone enjoying this gorgeous weather? I love it! I know the global warming may have something to do with it, but I will never argue with the warm weather. I will take that over the cold weather any day.

I spent my day going to doctor visits and managed to do a couple of massage for my clients too. I have another sinus infection. (again) Like when do I not have one? This is my cross to bear in life. I almost hate to see my file at the doctors office. It must be a couple inches thick (which is now on computor)of my visits due to sinus trouble and allergies. Then I later headed to my allergist to get my shots that I get since I am allergic to anything green outside. yep, and I still love the outdoors.

My sister and I went for a run/walk outside tonight and it was so perfect. Just as we came back to the house we felt a few raindrops. I like that too.

I never did get a picture of our new house posted when we first moved in. This is even before the sod got laid. So it was pretty brand new. It looks alot better with the green grass now.

Age discrimination (My first time to be treated that way)

Wow, What a first for me to be discriminated for being too old. Now I know how bad it feels and this is only the beginning. So here's what happened. I have been looking for an extra odd job with summer coming up and things being a little slow I am needing to beef up my income. I have about 8 years of waiting table experience at restaurants. I saw an ad for interviews today at a Country Club on a golf course. I got all dressed up an went in. They had open interviews. I noticed that alot of the people there were college age kids. I didn't let it bother me, I thought at least I had quite a bit of experience and a pretty good resume. Different people were doing the interviews so I just waited my turn. I got a young guy in his early 20's that did my interview. He didn't shake my hand he just looked down and read my application. He then proceeded to tell me that they had 3 area's of server work available but he felt I would be best suited for banquet work since it was slower paced. haha.. I couldn't believe he was saying this. He said I would need to prove myself first before I would get moved to fine dining. Then he said maybe the banquet thing would be great anyway because the girls would be younger and they could kind of look up to me and be kept in line. He was looking for the words to say I was older and then I said it for him. I said, hey, I could be like a mother figure huh? He said that he was trying to find the right delicate words to say it. I wanted to laugh. Then the clincher for me was the fact that no one gets tips. It is a straight pay without tips no matter where you work in the club. The club members do not have to tip nor do they. That was all I needed to hear.

The story doesn't end there. I stood up to leave and as I was shaking his hand (he did not reach out to mine at all) he was looking over my shoulder at a young college age girl and began talking to her before I left the table. In a cheerful voice he said Hey! Come on over! I just walked away chuckling to myself. Now I know in a small way how older folks feel when they want to just get a Walmart greeter position. Yep that will be me next! Can't wait! I don't think they will even hire me.
So the search continues. :)

My Little Angels (recent Pics of my girls)

For those of you who have not seen my beautiful little girls in years, they are all grown up now. They suprised me with a photo shoot this past Christmas and I just cried when I saw their pictures put to music. I hope I don't date myself too much by showing I have kids this age. Haha...But I guess we all have to grow and change and enjoy the journey. Here they are. Alisha is 19 and Kirsty is 17.

Just wishing I was on spring break

Even though I can't be on spring break I thought I would post a few cruise pictures of my December trip to the Caribbean. I wish I could be there right now. These pictures are of the beautiful Cayman Islands. I love it there! I took a banana boat ride with some young gals one day. The other is a pirate ship they use during pirates week on the island. Me and Steve hamming it up, and then a shot on the deck of the Carnival Conquest.

Upcoming Concert in Shambaugh, Iowa April 15th, 2007

I just confirmed an up coming concert with my dear pastor friend Scott Denham in Shambaugh, Iowa. I will be at the church he pastors called Harvest Fellowship at 6:30 PM. I have done several concerts at their church over the past 10 years or so. What a blessing everyone there is to me. It should be a wonderful time. You can log onto Harvestnow.org to check out the weekend events and other information such as a map if you would like to attend the concert and things about the church itself.

American Idol

Anyone watching American Idol this season? I have been watching and I do have a couple favorites. The one in particular I love is Melinda Doolittle. She is so strong and consistant and she seems to radiate Christianity. I am really rooting for her. I also like Jordin Sparks. I think she has one of the strongest voices on Idol. I don't think they have the talent on the show this year as they have in years past.
I did predict Carrie Underwood would win back when she was auditioning at the stadium and also thought Catharine McPhee would win and she took 2nd. Sometimes you can just tell who will go all the way. Expecially when they have the looks. I am not sure how this year will pan out but I do think a woman will win it. They are way stronger in my opinion.

Reflective thoughts

I had a real great moment at church yesterday. One of those times when God softly touches you on the shoulder and sharpens your vision to show you some new perspective on things. I had a breakthrough. I have been struggling with some serious issues in my life. Serious financial struggles, problems with the blended family issues,(which is WAY harder than I thought) and other area's of weakness in my life. I just stood there with tears rolling down my cheeks through most of the service. I know most of the time I feel a little numb and the message is good but it is like, ya I have heard that before and you just take it in and leave the service with just an ok feeling. But yesterday I felt like God really touched me. I needed to hear from Him again. It was me who strayed away in my doubt that God could not handle my issues when He is more than capable. It was me who ran away instead of facing the troubles head on. It was just what I needed and every word pierced my heart. I think the best we can do is live each day at a time.

I tend to set some of my goals so high that when I don't reach them I feel so stupid and like a big failure. I am embarrassed infront of everyone who knows me. Why do we do that? I don't want to live my life like that. I want to enjoy each day. I hope you will do the same. Life is too short to live with regrets and failures. I want those things to just make me stronger.

Spring Break anyone?

Just wondering if anyone has any great spring break plans? I sure don't. I am completely bored. I am trying to keep myself busy with things to do. It is like I am really, really, busy or doing absolutely nothing. There is not much inbetween.

I do have a few pending concerts on the horizon. A couple may even be in Tennessee this summer. That would be so cool if those work out. I haven't done much singing at all the past 6 months. Too many other things going on.

We rented some video's for the weekend. Steve's dad is visiting us from Rockford Illinois. He is fun to have around. Lots of fun stories of happenings in his life. Everyone has a fun spring break!! Stay safe!!

Is it spring yet?

The last 2 weeks have been unbelievable! We have had an icestorm and a blizzard! Lost power for 5 hours one day. Been cooped up for a few days, and to top it off I have had the worst cold ever for over a week. Ugh! I am just waiting for the sun to come out and brightened up my world. This is one of those times I wished I lived down south. I am sure it won't be much longer.

Tonight I arrived back home to find the my step daughter who is in 8th grade had gotten a call from her classmate that was very upsetting. This friend of hers comes from a real bad home. She had attempted suicide or at least said she was going to. We called the police and the ambulance immediately. This little gal lives about 20 miles from us. Steve and I took off in the car to meet the police and paramedics at the home. He mother was working at Walgreens and didn't even leave work to check on her daughter. The mother said she cries wolf all the time and wasn't about to leave work again for this. She ended up being fine thank goodness. We followed the ambulance to the hospital and asked to see her. They did not allow us to because we were not family. How disappointing. We never did find out if her mother showed up. We have to pray that the medical team and counselors can really reach out to her. This was a cry for attention and help. I wish there was more we could do for the kids of this generation. Somehow there is a problem with parents not being there for kids. Too many divorces etc...

Off to bed... I am tired.