The Trial Period is Over . . .

. . . and we are OFFICIALLY into the year 2010! To me, that is CRAZY!! I very clearly remember 1/1/2000 like it was yesterday, and now we are here, ten years later!! YIKES!!

So, I've been a slackin' blogger, part of that being the lack of internet availability in my life! But that time has past and I am redevoted and rededicated to sharing, or at least, saying something, as often as I can!

I am now a full-time college student . . . AGAIN!! I haven't had any luck finding a permanent, full-time job, and I have ALWAYS wanted to be a teacher . . . so, here we go!

I started with a basic computer class in the winter session. 4 weeks, crammed into the winter break between semesters. I am pretty computer savvy, since I have been using them for MANY years now, so I felt pretty confident that I would be okay.
For a moment, though, I thought that I would have to drop the class, when I had a computer issue for my first assignment due date, and then went to Denver on Christmas Day and forgot my books! But, thanks to some great helpers in my family, (Thanks Dad and Jeremy!!) I made it over that first little hump.
Long story short, I got an "A"!! Woo hoo!!! Not a bad re-entry for someone who hasn't studied any type of school for 19 years . . . wow, I didn't realize, until just now, that it has been so long!
Anyway, I'm very enthusiastic about this new adventure! And, when it is all said and done, I will be helping 5 year olds learn, and learning from them.

I'm Back to Work . . .

ya, I had mentioned, at least on FB, that I got a job . . . . that starts in January! And, it is a temp job, AND it is located in West Phoenix . . . I could go on, but I won't!

Then, just when I thought I was gonna be a temporary replacement employee at Fry's . . . my favorite temp agency called me up, and got me another hook up! WOO HOO!! (That same agency got me my 3.5 year gig at the job I recently was laid off from!)

So, I start Monday . . . it's in Tempe . . . apparently I don't need to work anywhere else! LOL I'm excited to go back to work, and THE BEST PART??? A Paycheck! Beats the measly unemployment check, ANY DAY!!!

So, if this new job goes permanent, I WON'T be taking that temp job in January; but with good reason!

Wish me luck! Have a great weekend!!

I Don't Care WHO You Are . . .

. . . or what kind of music you prefer/hate! You gotta hear a song from George Strait's new album, TWANG. It is called "The Breath You Take" . . . It is an amazing message, and something that I need to be reminded of! (And not to mention the fact that I am sitting in the library, listening to my ipod, getting all teary, while I type this!)

Give it a go, if you dare!! ♥

What the HECK???

Okay, I don't think that I have EVER gone this long between posts! I feel like a great big slacker, but that is just one of the small circumstances that comes from not having a job to earn "REAL" money, and therefore NOT having money to pay for internet service! You gotta prioritize, you know?? Ya, that's all I am gonna say about that!!

Lots going on in the ZAP family! Unfortunately, we have NOT inherited $1 million dollars, won a new car, or found the fountain of youth! Just more of everyday life stuff!
However, {and there WILL be photographic evidence provided later!} we did go to the 9/11 Peace Garden, became great-aunt and great-uncle when our niece had a baby, adopted a pup - {that topic deserves an entire entry . . . don't worry, it will eventually appear!!}, and are just living the life, dreamin' the dream, and learning what we can live without, in these days of economic famine!

I'll be back, don't worry!
♥

What A Week!!

My niece, Kayla, has been living and working in Virginia, since May. So, her mom, Karalee, flew out there, last Sunday, to drive home with her.

Karalee asked me to stay at her house, with her other 2 teenagers. Okay, I don't have a "real job" right now, so my schedule is pretty open.

Well, the kids were good - that wasn't the issue! The issues were . . . .

1) I don't sleep well when I'm not in my own bed. I'm not sure why that is, but it is true! (thus clearing up any question as to why I'm not a professional house-sitter!!)

2) Brody, the family dog, was having some health issues and was wandering the house ALL NIGHT LONG

3) Every day, after the kids left for school, I would go home and take a shower and change clothes, etc. That wears on you . . . . when you don't have your own comfy clothes to change into, at any random hour of the day!

4) My sister's computer, while semi-functional, would NOT allow me to send emails from my email box. It is a little difficult to apply for jobs when you can't send an email, or are not able to access your resume! (Ya, I renamed it a "crap"top!!)

5) Jorge works nights . . . and on the days that he is scheduled, I don't see him much anyway, but this week . . . we spoke on the phone while he was at work. And, other than the fact that we spent most of the day together on Wednesday, that was all.

6) and the biggest bummer! I had to take Brody to be put down, at the vet. This poor dog - he has been such a loyal family member, friend to all (Including the little kids!!) and a big part of the family for 9 years. But, he hadn't been eating, and he had started to swell. The last 2 nights, he didn't sleep at all, because it hurt to lay down and then get up. So all night long I heard his toenails on the hardwood floors of my sister's house.

His paws were sweating, that's how sick this poor dog was! When we arrived at the vet, the Dr. said that he probably had a cardio vascular condition, and that is where all the swelling was coming from. And apparently it is common in Boxers.

So, that was VERY emotional . . . . thank goodness Jorge was with me! Thanks honey!

Anyway, all of this added up to a very stressful week . . . . adding the burden, of course, of paying the rent, since another month is upon us!

Thus, I feel that I need a vacation from my unemployment induced vacation . . . . . . I'm thinking, ". . . some beach, some where . . . "

Hqppy 29th, Tina!!

Today is Tina's birthday! She's 29 .. . . again! LOL

She is a most treasured friend - we've been through a lot of muddy waters of life together! I love her and her family, and am so glad that we met on that fateful day 22 years ago, as missionaries!

We've seen a LOT of things change in this crazy world, and hopefully we will see many more good things together!

Thanks for all you do and are, Tina! Love you!

It's a wrap!

, . . the month of August, I mean!

I can't BELIEVE how fast this month has flown . . . . even for the unemployed!

But, not here to talk about my lack of job, today! Nope, I'm here to brag . . . . . about my little*** nephew, Chase!

He plays on the varsity football team, for Mesa High School ... . . go Jackrabbits!! Anyway, they had their first game last Friday, and HE, apparently, was one of the stars of the show! They won, and he made some people (besides the boys he knocked over!!) stand up and take notice!

http://www.azcentral.com/video/?type=mavenfull&id=mavensingle&videoID=1231787750

And then, in Sunday's paper, we read this: http://www.azcentral.com/php-bin/clicktrack/email.php/8910399 ***Did you notice the height and weight on this man-child??? I was being TOTALLY facetious when I said "little"!!