Work Much?

From Girl Scouts (yes, I was a Girl Scout) I learned many lessons. The most important one being that I would NEVER grow up to be a salesperson. I couldn't sell those cookies if my life depended on it. And at the time, it felt like it did. I remember my Mom was the "cookie chairman" for the entire Gainesville region. She and I ate more boxes of cookies than I sold. This is because the region's cookies were stored at our house.
I'm not going to go on and on about where I worked; but I will tell you this; I think I have worked many jobs, and I believe I have done them all to the best of my ability. I have been a cashier, a waitress, a cook, an assistant manager of a major pizza place, a teacher's aide, an administrative assistant, a human resources director, a data analyst, a graduate teaching assistant, a records clerk, a billing specialist, a clinic assistant, a manager of medical information systems and technology, and a training and implementation specialist. And while I may have enjoyed all these jobs, for I got to learn so much and meet some very interesting people, there was only 1 job that I truly loved: a Mom.
The hours were long (24/7) and the monetary pay was sparse. But nothing in this world has given me more joy and happiness than in the role I played as a mother. Those of you who have children will relate to this; being a Mom is just a title, for there are many other roles that are played under this umbrella: teacher, cook (I was not so good at this), laundress, chauffer, ethics and moral professor, police officer, maid, disciplinarian, nurse, doctor, driving coach, party planner and vacation planner just to name a few.
As I've said before, I have been blessed with 2 wonderful boys. I would be lying if I told you it was easy raising them, especially as a single Mom for most of their lives. Luckily, I had good friends and family that helped me along the way. But there is not one single, solitary moment of my life as a Mom that I would change for all the money in the world.
I know this job was not only the most special and hardest job I've ever had. I would like to think I did pretty well in this role. Not that the job is over, mind you. It's never ending. And I am so very grateful. As well, I have started a new job recently: Grandma. And I am having so much fun learning about this role.
As I am still unsure about what my next job will be, I take with me all that I have learned from previous positions and hopefully that will make me a better, more useful employee. As I eagerly search for that next job, I am comforted in the fact that I still am and always will be Stephen and Brett's mom.

Sex

Seriously? Did you REALLY think I was going to blog about this topic? Yes, I'm taking a journey. But, no, I'm not sharing this part.
GOTCHA!!

You're Moving Again? Is This a Joke?

I should have been born to a gypsy family. If after this blog you don't agree, I would be quite surprised.
My journey has taken me many places. I will blog about those another time. This blog is about where I lived and at the end, maybe, just maybe, you will still be interested.
I've lived in 36 different homes in 7 different cities and 3 different states. Watch this.
1. Rego Park in Queens, New York
2. Jamaica in Queens, New York
3. Georgetown Apts. Gainesville, FL (#62)
4. Georgetown Apts. Gainesville, FL (#54)
5. Brookwood Terrace Apts. Gainesville, FL
6. Pelican Blvd. Cape Coral, FL
7. Nobility (housing sub-division) Cape Coral, FL
8. Another house Cape Coral, FL
9. Grandma's house, Wilmington, DE
10. Cape Coral Pkwy. Cape Coral, FL
11. Glen Springs Manor, Gainesville, FL (#1)
12. Glen Springs Manor, Gainesville, FL (#2)
13. 43rd Street, Gainesville, FL
14. NE 39th Ave., Gainesville, FL
15. 43rd Street, Gainesville, FL
16. Georgetown Apts. Gainesville, FL
17. Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL
18. North Florida Ave., Tampa, FL
19. Carrollwood (sub-division) Tampa, FL
20. North Lakeland Lakeland, FL
21. SE Gainesville, Gainesville, FL
22. Georgetown Apts., Gainesville, FL
23. South Lakeland, Lakeland, FL
24. Woodbridge Apts., Lakeland, FL (#1)
25. Woodbridge Apts., Lakeland, FL (#2)
26. Brookwood Terrace Apts., Gainesville, FL (#1)
27. Brookwood Terrace Apts., Gainesville, FL (#2)
28. SE Gainesville House Gainesville, FL
29. Georgetown Apts., Gainesville, FL (#1)
30. Georgetown Apts., Gainesville, FL (#2)
31. Cleveland Heights Apts., Lakeland, FL
32. House ??? Lakeland, FL
33. NW Gainesville, Gainesville, FL
34. My first house alone Gainesville, FL
35. Martin St., Indian Harbour Beach, FL
36. Timpoochee Drive, Indian Harbour Beach, FL (coming soon!!)
Whew! So, what I've I learned from all this? Well, I certainly have packing down to an art form. But looking at the overall picture, while trying to remember all these places, I've remembered the people I've met along the way as well as the events that occurred in many of these places. For example, my childhood friend Amelia (from #2 on the list) met one of my best friends from high school, Mark (I was at #11 at that time), fell in love and are now married. Interspersed through all these moves there was the very first time I got into a pool (#3), meeting the friend who has been in my life the longest, Lisa (#6), my first legal drink (#13) weddings (#18 and #26), babies born (#19 and #22), Bar Mitzvah's (#28 and #31), and my first cruise (#32). And I can't say enough about all the friends I have made along the way. The reasoning behind all the moves is an impossible feat to attempt to explain. But whether is was for good reason or not, I can say this for sure: it's been one hell of a move.