Employed!

I had a very odd and wonderful day. I woke up feeling strange. I had one of those odd dreams that does more to confuse your brain than anything else and spent the brainpower of my first awake hour trying to analyze it (only to end up more confused). Then it was off to do errands my Mom needed done before Grandpa arrived with the crab he and Grandma caught.

Bevan had a job interview and I was happy to recieve the call that told me they planned on hiring him. It's not a job in his field yet, but it is a job. And for that we are very happy. My husband is so wonderful.

About an hour later I got another call. This time it was from the place I had interviewed at last week. I am happy to say they offered me the position and am embarassed to admit that I was so excited the first word out of my mouth was an overly enthusiatic "AWESOME!' I am hoping that my overenthusiastic-ness (yes, I'm making up words now) didn't make her immediately regret offering the position. I start on Wednesday as a math instructor. It's a part-time gig (after school hours) that will still give me the flexibility to sub (or do other misc. jobs to fill my time).

Let me tell you - that crab was delicious! Thanks Grandpa & Grandma! Bevan and I enjoyed the crab for dinner - once we got past the guts & gills portion. I also cooked a cake to celebrate being employed (reflecting on that I should have done brownies or cookies so Bevan could enjoy it too - he's not a cake fan).

Joey and Linda came over so he could work on framing the windows and I could help Linda study for a math assessment so that she can test out of one of her college math classes this week. She's doing great and I think she's going to do just fine on the test.

Last night I started reading Twilight. Now before you get all groany on my or run away screaming - relax, I'm not a fan girl. Don't get me wrong - I'm enjoying the book so far, but I'm not going to go all "Edward this" and "Edward that" on you. The book reads a lot like a diary and in that style I think lies a lot of the intrigue making it hard to put down. There are times when I laugh from some of the silliness and I definitely have to classify Meyer's vampires in a complete seperate category from the vampire lore I know. Really, I picked it up because I kept hearing all sorts of things about it. I had read Stephanie Meyer's website on the book and gotten a good laugh about it because her website even read like fan fiction. I think the part that got me the most was that her books started because of a dream she had. So don't worry, I'm not planning a trip to Forks and you won't see me sporting any shirts that read "Cute boys sparkle" or "Boys: Read Twilight Be Like Edward". You will, however, eventually find all four books on my bookshelf (I'm currently borrowing the books from a friend, but I think I'll eventually aquire the set myself). Anyway, I'm gonna unwind for the night with a little reading.

I hope you can find the little things that made you smile today.

Costuming

One of my favorite hobbies is costuming. I love the whole process: choosing a subject, plotting & planning how to make the costume & props, making it, and then wearing it. Today was one of those awesome days that I had an excuse to don a costume.

Northwest Museum of Art & Culture posted:

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A Saturday that is Out of This World!

Saturday, August 22, 12:00-3:00 p.m.

Visit the MAC on August 22 and experience a day that is Out of This World!

* 12:00 p.m. Come in your own science fiction costume and join the 501st Star Wars characters in the exhibit, Out of This World: Extraordinary Costumes from Film and Television. This is a great opportunity to gather autographs and photographs with your favorite characters.

* 1:00 p.m. Let the force guide you to the auditorium to see this unscreened short, ?Return of the Ewok?. If you have seen all the other Star Wars films, you don?t want to miss this one.

* 2:00 p.m. Could you be the first person to travel to Mars? Learn about ?Space Frontiers? with science educator Joe Bruce. Check out space suits, shuttle parts, and learn how space travel has changed.

Regular admission applies for all these great activities; $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

See this science fiction costume exhibit before it leaves. Exhibit closes September 5th.

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So I happily donned my Twi'lek Sith costume and my husband his Jedi and we headed to the MAC. We met up with two of the local 501st (Darth Vader & a Tusken Raider) and several Spokantina members - two of which were also in their Jedi garb. We were able to great guests at the museum entrance, take pictures, and sign autographs. Overall it was an incredibly fun day. I love the look on children (and those young at heart) when their faces light up at the sight of someone in the costume of a figure they admire or a creature they didn't expect to see. I also love when they gain the courage to shake the hand of Darth Vader or a red skinned Twi'lek - overcoming the initial fear. Kids are so cute. I think today was the first time I got asked for my autograph (yearbooks in school excluded).

We also got to watch "Return of the Ewok" - a really cute short that I would recommend any fan of Star Wars see if you get the opportunity.

That evening my husband and I watched the children of friends. Great kids who enjoyed playing Wii Sports Resort and watching a movie with us while their parents caught a flick with siblings.

So yeah, I'm pretty easily entertained. A lot like my little brother, Jeffrey. Let me wear a costume and I am happy as can be.

Life's Little Moments

Life is full of little moments that should be celebrated. Precious instances that bring joy and create wonderful memories. I've experienced several little moments throughout my day today that I felt like sharing.

~ I've got an interview scheduled for later this week (a relief since I've been job hunting for almost a year now) and this job would actually utilize my degree (which would be a first - odd, since I've held said degree for over 3 years now).

~ One of my favorite moments from today was when my little sister, Kandra came running up to me and gave me a big hug. Now to understand the significance of this - you have to realize that lately 3 year old Kandra is in the I only do what I want to do phase and long past random snuggling. Usually it takes me several requests to get a hug or teasing her by tickling and only getting a hug because she wants the tickles to stop. So an unrequested hug from Kandra is a big deal in my book.

~ The joy brought by holding a newborn in your arms. I got to hold an adorable little princess (as Kandra refers to all baby girls) today. She's 12 days old now. One of the foster babies my Mom is taking care of. She is a precious little princess that weighs what I did at birth. Sometimes it is shocking to think that I was once that small. This little girl has the cutest little hands that will grasp onto your pinky. She is adorable.

~ Another moment, that is very big in this foster boys life was my precious little brother taking the most steps solo he's taken. He had so much fun walking back and forth between my Mom, the neighbor and I. It was adorable. Each time he fell he'd shake his sun-bleached blond head no before standing back up on wobbly feet and trying again. He made at least 10 unaided steps on his longest walk. This little boy knows no fear. He'd topple and stand up again as we clapped. Only once did he decide his topple deserved tears. It was so cute.

~ And this brings me to my baby. I have a precious little ball of fur and claws. Her name is Kaylee. She is a torti. She has been incredibly affectionate ever since I returned from a trip where I was gone from her for 2 weeks. She nussles up right next to me - currently she is curled up next to me on the bed watching me type. Last night it was adorable because she settled herself down in my skirt and was content to sleep against me while I sat reading. It is amazing what the lovely companionship of an animal can do to lift one's spirits. Kaylee is my baby girl.

Those are my little moments that I want to remember. What are yours?