Catzilla

Some cats have no respect.

Last night, Scrooge decided the skating pond was a good place for a nap.

He kinda rules the roost. His disdain for the dogs is frequently displayed. Occasionally, his disdain for us is displayed. He’s got no respect, I tell you.

He doesn’t give respect…he demands it.

Can’t you see the respect (fear) on the face of that man on the right? A healthy dose right there.

Is he looking at the birds???

Maybe, if they hold really still, he won’t notice them? That little boy on the bench, though, he could have a problem.

I love you all!

A Quick Synopsis

The newest news in Jon’s job search is this…

He has had three phone interviews for a Business Analyst position in Charlotte for Family Dollar. The pay is in his required range and the location is obviously our ideal. I am trying not to think about it much…every time a job doesn’t come through, the disappointment is a little stronger, a little more bitter. So, I’m not getting my hopes up. A consequence of that effort to not get all caught up in the excitement is that I have not told any of you about this avenue Jon has been exploring. It’s time to tell now.

Jon has done phone interviews with the hiring manager, the hiring managers’ manager and the head (VP) of the Finance Dept.. They all loved him and decided as a consequence they are flying him to Charlotte on November 30th for a 4 hour in person interview. They have him scheduled to interview with like 8 different people and even have a drug test scheduled for him. So, let’s all hope and pray that this is it…our ideal!! A PERMANENT position near Charlotte. It couldn’t get any better than that, right?

Love you all!

Pride and Satisfaction

Parenting is hard. There's no two ways about it. Parenting is a minefield of guessing and praying and second-guessing and praying...occasionally regret...and occasionally a BIG sigh of relief and prayer of thanksgiving. As parents, we want to do everything right. We want to enable and equip our kids...we want them to be successful. Their successes are our successes...and it is such a personal failure for us when they fail.

Today, is a day of BIG sighs...and prayers of thanksgiving. All summer, this year, Jon and I agonized and debated...prayed and worried...fretted and second guessed about what was best for Liam. We were informed at the end of last school year that he was being held back. I knew as soon as they told me that repeating the third grade was the right thing to do...the big concern was could Liam handle it? Emotionally? Socially? How would he cope? Would being held back even help? Or would it do more harm than good? Should I attempt home schooling?

Honestly, If our lives had not been in such upheaval, a cesspool of uncertainty if you will, I probably would have attempted to keep him home with me this year. But, alas, that was not God's plan for us.I am working...and Liam is repeating the 3rd grade at Highland Central Elementary. This year, he has the same 3rd grade teacher Sam had 5 years ago...and for the first time in 5 years, Liam is enjoying school.

As usual, God's plan for Liam was the right one...and he is glorying in sweet success. His pride is palpable, as is my own. His first report card this year:

• Art  S+
• Conduct  S
• Handwriting  S
• Language Arts  A
• Math   A
• Music S+
• Physical Education  S+
• Reading  B
• Science  B
• Social Studies  A

Ahhhh...sweet relief, Thank you Lord!!!

We Love you all!!

Sick in the Head

What can I say? Even if I could resist my own desire to put up Christmas decorations as soon as I take down the Halloween stuff…it’s more than I can stand to resist Jon and the kids.

This year, I promise it was NOT ME chomping at the bit to put up a tree…

It was them!!!

 

I insisted the nativity HAD to go up first, and they all said fine…take care of it. Jon brought it up from the basement and I set it all out. On top of the fridge this year, just like when Mags and Liam were little. Jet cannot be trusted. He’s worse than any 2 year old child.

Then, Mags and Liam put their bedroom trees up and finally Sunday…the pinnacle of their weekend…the toy room tree.

I have also aggressively started Christmas shopping. I usually am almost done by now…in contrast this year, I just started two weeks ago.

Jon had a second interview for a business analyst position for Family Dollar in Charlotte today. Or is it Dollar General? I get them mixed up…anyway…they are going to fly him to Charlotte for a third interview soon.

Obviously, I will let you know if there is any good news! Love you all!