A Time For Everything

We worked the Alabama/Michigan game on Saturday...the Tide won 41 to 14...

After a huge issue with one of our grills, which took almost an hour to repair, we were able to get started, which was less than an hour until they opened the gates. Then the chef we'd gotten kept disappearing and finally claimed to have an upset stomach. We sent him on his way and our stand captain (the stadium employee/our liaison) and Sonshine ended up doing all the cooking.

The Alabama fans were on our side of the stadium and were very enthusiastic and hungry/thirsty. We were busy for pretty much the entire time except for about the 30 minutes after kickoff and then finally towards the end of the third quarter and through the fourth quarter. Surprisingly, it didn't take as long to get our money counted as I expected considering I was #48 to turn my money in. The stadium then counts it and we compare figures. But it takes time. Last week, I was in the mid-40s as well, but it took me well over an hour to get my slips back. This week, maybe 30 minutes. So the bank as we call it must have hired more people (I doubt it.) or came up with a better system. Part of that they put on us...when we turn in drops, our money has to be divvied up by denomination and rubber banded. I guess that speeds the money counters if they don't have to sort through all the bills from over 200 stands.

Anyway, by the time I got into bed it was 1am...yesterday I pretty much lounged around and read most of the day, then I watched Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and after that I listened to music and watched a few music videos on YouTube. It was nice and relaxing and I'm so thankful it was three-day weekend so that I could use today like I would a normal Sunday to do chores and get ready for the work week. :)

And now, I'm going to talk to DH for a bit and get back to work on revisions.

How did you spend your Labor Day weekend??

Back to School!

It seems almost anti-climactic for us since Sonshine has been at school every week since the beginning of July and everyday for the last three weeks for marching band. He's got all AP and Honors classes again as well as Debate class. That'll be interesting. He swears he's going to stay on top of school work and grades this year and I'll be bri rewarding him each six weeks for those good grades.

So last night was the 30th annual Ice Cream Social--parents are invited to come and get a preview of what the kids have been working on for the last two months. As usual, the kids were awesome.

Here they are marching onto the practice field. My kid is the tall white boy with the large instrument case toward the end of the line.



The following video is of the first three movements of their program, Secrets of the Nile. (I think that's title, but no guarantees.) Sonshine has a short solo in there and you'll see him rush to the front and then scurry back into position.



With the advent of school, we begin fundraising again...so tomorrow, Sonshine and I will be working Cowboys Stadium. If you watch the game on TV, think of us!

And that all I have for today. Have a great weekend!

Another Monday, another work week, and yet another post. I've really gotten excited about this blogging thing lately, though I'm not sure why. Part of it comes from having my camera back in working order. Pictures add a lot, I think, and sometimes words just aren't enough.

This weekend was crazy. No not really, though I keep thinking that word in my head. On Saturday, Sonshine and I worked a Cowboy Stadium event--the Brothers of the Sun concert. The brothers: Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney. Jake Owen and Grace Potter opened.

We weren't all that busy as our stand was behind the stage. And we got to close down right after the intermission between Tim and Kenny's performances. I must say, Tim was awesome. And when he came out for his encore, he performed another four songs. Kenny is not one of my favorites as a person, though I enjoy his songs, one of which is a current favorite and which I did not hear before we left. (bummer)

Because they shut us down early I was home earlier than expected. YAY. But working totally wiped me out and Sunday was a pretty big bust for me. I slept till after 9am which is very unusual for me, even on the weekends. I like to be up early before everyone else to enjoy the peace and quiet and to get some good writing or revising done. And I slept really, really hard. When I woke up I just felt like lead. And had the dogs not started making noise I might have slept longer. (yikes)

After that I had to go grocery shopping, which I also like to do early before the store gets crowded. And because my Neighborhood Walmart does not carry one of the only brands of food one of my dogs can eat (due to her allergies) I had to then go to Pet Smart. Argh.

And believe it or not, I actually took a three-hour nap. I was finally somewhat refreshed at that point and got some chores started. But my brain just could not engage with looking at words on the virtual page so I skipped any and all writing/revising yesterday and continued my Bones re-watch.

Oh say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave...

This morning on the way to work I hit the post office. I'm glad to report that the American flag has been replaced. It was looking a bit ragged last week. I keep an eye on it, you see, because several years ago, that flag was in terrible condition. It gets frayed from flapping in the breeze each and every day. I get that. But this was really too much. The flag was ripped along the stripe lines at least a quarter of the way, and for a flag in that condition to flapping in front of a post office?? I'm sorry, but that's unacceptable to me. And so I went online and complained. Yes, I did. The flag was replaced post haste and to this day a new flag is usually up there within days of me noticing its condition again.

And now, the next installment of...

The Twelve Days of Jen



Jar candles: sweet lavender, coastal waters and fresh cotton scents. I've only burned the lavender one so far.

On Wednesday, I'll introduce you to Fat Patches and share another of my cool prezzies.

Keep cool!

I worked Cowboys Stadium yesterday on behalf of the band. It was Gold Cup Soccer which meant lots and lots of Spanish speaking fans. Luckily one of my fellow cashiers spoke Spanish.

And those folks are crazy about their soccer. Not even Cowboys fans have rivaled the revelry.

At some point during half time of the first game or immediately after, there was a group right outside or stand chanting and beating on drums. Oi! You know for a few minutes it was fun, but after fifteen I was ready to scream. Plus, I couldn't hear my customers hardly at all. I had to practically read lips. And add to that the aforementioned language barrier...well... I was also in training for being "stand manager". Basically handling the setup/shutdown of the stand and taking care of the money. If I do it for ten games, Sonshine's band trip next spring is paid in full. An approximately $300 value at this point. Is it worth it? It only comes out to about $2.50 an hour, but I'd work that many games anyway, so...

The jury's still out. :|

I'm dragging because I didn't get home until after eleven and my poor body's aching as I was on my feet and on the go for ten straight hours. (Yep, it's a tough gig. Only stupid dedicated parents need apply.)

How was your weekend?