Jared gets a Polygraph!

Ok so, remember our swell Ebay auction and how I thought I was getting a job? Well it's a false alarm, the guy called me back and said his paralegal had it taken care of and he doesn't need me any more, so I'm back to square one with no job. Once again the cycle continues where I've been having lots of interviews all with the same result- more interviews. So that leads me to the latest interview, working at the Lakewood Crime Lab. Over 300 people applied and out of those 300 people, 13 got invited to the "attention to detail" test, including yours truly. So I took the test and stressed all weekend because I missed one and rather than go back and change it, I did the honest thing and accepted it as wrong. On Monday I got a call back and did "very well" on the test and got invited to a Polygraph and further interview. So yesterday was the polygraph. It's kind of like on Tv in that they put those nodes on your fingers, but there was no nodes on my chest or head, but I did have a blood pressure monitor. The questions are yes or no only, and I got yelled at for answering one beyond yes. "Do some people call you Jared?" "Yes- everyone does." (Yelling)

At the end of the test, the guy went over the "red flag questions," questions that exhibited an abnormal response. This one was a doozy. "In the last 5 years have you ever taken any illegal drugs?" Of course the answer was no. Anyone who knows me would know that. Then the guy proceeded to tell me, sometimes you know maybe your wife had some prescription meds and you had a raging headache so you took one, have you ever done that?" "No," I responded I have never taken an illegal drug. Ever."

So I'm a a little nervous on the results because I have no way to disprove the polygraph on this point other than my purely honest word. I haven't taken drugs, so I don't know where the polygraph is getting that. Plus he kept yelling at me to relax. So in an effort to relax I took some deep, controlled breaths, which promted yelling, "Please don't breathe deeply, just relax." Which is it?!

Free sub from Quiznos

Quiznos is giving away a million free subs. Just click on this link to get yours. If you don't have a Quiznos by you get a coupon anyway and send it to me. I'll sacrifice and eat it in your honor.

http://millionsubs.com/Reg.php?x=1

Anthropolification Boyer Cream Cardi GIVEAWAY!!!! GIVEAWAY!!!!

Anthropolification Boyer Cream Cardi GIVEAWAY!!!! GIVEAWAY!!!!: "Anthropologie"

This lady is simply amazing!! This sweater is so cute. We have an Anthropologie at our local mall but I've only been in once because the prices were so stinkin' expensive. But maybe I need to start visiting more often to get some ideas for cute clothes. Now if I could only sew....

Free Day

Yesterday was "free day" as in everything we did had to be free (minus the gas to get there).

We started our day by going to IHOP for free pancake day. It's been years since we've been to IHOP but I'd have to say it wasn't too bad. We each got a stack of three pancakes with unlimited syrup. The pancakes were actually pretty good, a little on the heavy side as both Jared and I agreed 3 was all we could eat. Joseph ate most of his I think although there seemed to be a good potion on the floor.

I started with maple syrup but soon discovered the butter pecan syrup and thought it was super tasty!!




Jared went for the strawberry. Judging from his fake smile I'm not sure if he liked his choice or not.

Joseph went for plain pancakes as his mom was too lazy to deal with a sticky child thus no syrup options were given to him. He doesn't miss what he didn't know right. He did enjoy the crayons and his was until he poked a hole in the side. Seriously who thought styrofoam was a good choice for a kids cup?




For dessert I ate a tasty milworm not as good as the grub I ate in Brazil, not too slimy yet satisfying.


Ok so I didn't really eat the milworm although Jared said he would pay me $1.00 to eat it. I would have done it but then our day would not have been free. Besides I still make all the money so I'd really just be paying myself.

If you haven't guessed our next stop on the free day adventure was the zoo. We happened to be in the bird house for the bug toss. We each got a handful of milworms to toss on the ground for the birds. Joseph loved having the worms crawl in him and was an excellent tosser.


If you look closely you can see the parrots in the background.


Joseph wanted to bring this lizard home and if it wasn't cemented down I would have agreed. Fake is probably the only pet that poor kid will ever get.

Joseph found the drums to be really fun. Finally something he could hit without being told "NO!!"

We took Joseph to the zoo when he was about 6 weeks old and took his picture in front of this sign. I'm still amazed how much he has changed.

http://jljbuck.blogspot.com/2007/11/aminalz-at-zoo.html

Leave it to me to stick my head in odd places. At least I won't get pooped on like Joseph.

Overall we had an enjoyable trip to the zoo. My parents and Diana met us there and braved the crowds with us. Plus it was super nice out unlike Valentine's Day (10 day before) when we looked like this...

Sure we didn't have the crowds the first time but I'd take warm weather and crowds any day over the cold.

I ended the day by watching Nights in Rodanthe which I got from Redbox with a free code. I read the book a few years ago so I had to check out the movie. It was a little lame if you ask me but alright for a free movie.

http://nightsinrodanthe.warnerbros.com/

Hammond's Candy Factory

Joseph and I went to Hammond's Candy Factory today with some girls that have kids about the same age. I don't think the kids had nearly as much fun as us girls. It was so much fun to spend time with other moms and discuss life and talk about our husbands. Sadly I forgot to take any pictures of the actual candy making but we had fun anyway.

Lucy, Matthew & Joseph - bring on the candy!!

I let Joseph hold a candy cane which made him super happy....

until I took it away. I'm such a mean mom

On the way home the tension started to ease between Joseph and Lucy and this is what happened....

If I die...

I want to be remembered in the following manner. Having recently been to a funeral, it made me think of what I want for my own funeral- I could only think of one thing. Please see the following video. In the event of my untimely death, I request that this be done at my funeral. Seriously. I don't plan on it happening soon but I just want to make sure someone knows my last rites. Check out the video- I promise it will be worth it. Rest in Peace, Mr. Fish...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7wNB1Rczek&feature=related

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Happy Valentine's Day! So today is the grand lover's day. I woke up this morning to a phone call from an attorney who is making me an independent contractor in his Bankruptcy business and wants me to help market his firm and grow his business! The best part is he'll be paying me for it! So I'm not sure what I've stumbled onto but I have a job lined up! Sweet! Then I went downstairs to announce the good news and saw that my sweet Wife had made a delicious special breakfast. It's hard to notice but the the pancakes are pink! Very Sweet!

Later, strangely enough, I saw this auction on Ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190287072606

Weird huh, it's totally a miracle! You should bid on it, or forward to all your friends and have them bid on it and drive the price way up so we'll be on TV! To me I see the Virgen on the left hand side, her head is kind of tilted and she is holding Jesus at a 45 degree angle. Annie says its the serpent and the tree of life. It could be a fun game, what do you see? Anyways we'll see if anyone bids on it. So far it has been a good day as I have hope and may be getting a little income, responsibility and social contact. Sweet!

Seriously Lord!!

Warning:I'm writing this with my tongue deeply rooted in my cheek. I honestly don't blame the Lord for our misfortune. Please don't take my ranting too seriously.

Have you ever really wanted to scream "Seriously Lord!! Did you listen to my request!! Are you sure you haven't confused me with someone else!!"

As you are aware Jared is still out of work. I don't know if a prayer has been said in our house without a request for a job Jared. Maybe my problem is I was asking too much. My plea usually went as followed "Please help Jared to find a job that he will like (cause seriously who wants a husband who comes home every night grumpy because he hates his job) and that will make enough money to support our family so I can stay home with Joseph."

On fast Sunday (Feb 1st) we had an extended family fast for Jared to finally get a job. He had two interviews the week before and one was looking very promising. We were hopeful that our faith was going to pull us thru and that Jared would get the position we so desperately were seeking. Instead I got a call Friday (Feb 6th) from my boss telling me that layoffs had hit my office again and I was the "chosen one". Yep in answer to our plea for Jared to get a job I lost mine instead. Thus the desire to yell "SERIOUSLY LORD!!!" To top it off we still have not heard on the job but Jared was suppose to hear within a week and it's been almost two so it's not looking good.
My last day of work will be March 6th and I do get a 6 week severance and should qualify for unemployment so hopefully Jared can find something before our income and health insurance runs out. I know I should be looking for a new job as well but I haven't been able to make myself look. I'm really torn because I'd like to follow the prophet's council to stay home and raise my children (no I'm not pregnant) but I also have a desire to not let my family starve and love my house and have no desire to be homeless. I'm feeling a little robbed as well because I feel like I've done my part by going to college myself. Which allowed me to support our family while Jared completed his schooling and pay his dues. I'm tired of being the "bacon maker" and want to be a stay at home mom. Funny how growing up I thought staying home with my kids was a right, now I feel like it would be a privilege.
I know we are better off than many families because we have been living below our means, the only debt we have is our house and Jared's student loans and do have some food storage. Plus we have our health.
The Lord has blessed us with so much that I know I have no right to complain. You can never have too much humility right. I guess my new motto should be "Bring it on!!" (That's a joke Lord I really am not asking for my trials)

He's Just Not That Into You

So its time for kind of a catch up blog. First off, I still do not have a job and the overall economy is depressing me even more. I see Community College ads while Joseph takes his nap and it seems like that is the answer- once you graduate all your problems are solved. Nevertheless, I am in the upper 10% of educated people and here I am. I have a few opportunities pending so lets hope for the best.

Next we went to see a preview of He's Just Not That Into You starring Jennifer Connolly, Kevin Connelly and others. I was expecting a stupid lame-o chick flick but it turns out it was highly complex and expertly written. I give it, get this, a 9 out of 10. Very intriguing insight into your romance status regardless of your relationship, from the just started dating, to the old married couple. I recommend it.

We watched this movie on a free Redbox DVD called the Rocker- an average movie but its about a 40 something who joins a high school band and they make it big. The funny part of the movie is at the end. We're watching it and the credits come on and Joseph wanders his way over. He starts gyrating to the rock music, swiveling his hips, clapping his hands and air guitaring. He's laughing the whole time and just keeps rocking out. We were just rolling on the Floor laughing, or as the kids would say, ROTFL. It was funny.

Plus Joseph has gone on a Punk Rocker kick lately. He died his hair into a pink mohawk, and now even has a Colorado division of Wildlife Tattoo. Too young to rebel? Nonsense!

Oh and a few weeks ago, I hit a bad skid on the job search front in that I had an interview with the Government, I made arrangements to have Joseph "Sid Vicious" get watched, because they said the interview would be all day. I carefully prepared for the interview and had everything ready to go- except the night before it snowed and was brutally viciously cold, meaning the freeways of Denver were ice. So I left home super early to have enough time to drop Joseph "Billy Idol" off and make it to my interview. the interview was at 8:30 I left at 6:30 and I had to go approximately 20 miles. I arrived at 9:15. The guy came out to meet me with a disgruntled face brow and said, "being on time is one of the responsibilities of the job- we're done here." And just like that my opportunity ended. I heard the now-familiar refrain "it wasn't meant to be" a lot that day, but most agree the guy was a jerk for not understanding I was literally trapped in traffic. Aaaargh! When will it be meant to be?!

Also we recently found some old travel vouchers and are thinking of going to DC before they expire. I want(ed) to stay in the Watergate Hotel but its closed for most of the year for renovations. Any cheap hotels nearby in DC? We are on a very tight budget and we picked DC because it is cheap (everything is free) but Lodging will be expensive. If only I could get a stinkin job...

Opera House Glove and Caplet GIVEAWAY!!!!

Opera House Glove and Caplet GIVEAWAY!!!!

Once again she outdid herself. I feel the need to read The Great Gatsby.