After such a long spell of unemployment I now find myself with three jobs. I'm so grateful!

Substitute teaching has finally come to pass.  I've already worked as a sub two days in a row.  I've even gotten to teach at Leilehua - it's close enough to walk to school! There's a good possibility of working every day substitute teaching.

I have a part-time job at the new McDonalds in Mililani.  It's still being built so I get to train at other local McDonalds.  I've been thoroughly amazed at how friendly the management and crews have been.  Although I never imagined I'd find myself working at a fast-food restaurant, I'm grateful for the ability to obtain medical/dental/vision benefits for my daughter and myself. I'm also grateful for the flexibility of work hours that they've been willing to provide so that I can accommodate three jobs.

My third, and newest job is working as a cashier for Williams-Sonoma at Ala Moana.  This job is like working in a candy store - I thoroughly lust after all the fabulous kitchen things.  I'm going to have to use extreme discipline so I can go home with paycheck intact.

So how will I juggle all three jobs? Only through the gracious flexibility of my employers.  I'll work M-F until 3:30 as a substitute teacher; evenings after 5 at McDonalds; and weekends, school holidays, and the-weekdays-that-I-don't-have-substitute-teaching-assignments at Williams-Sonoma.  I'll be very busy, but the funny thing is that I seem to get more accomplished when I'm super busy.

I'm so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to earn a living to support Butterfly and myself.  Hopefully, I will soon be out of debt and be able to start saving for a home of our own.

Thank you, thank you!!!

In Memory of Odin

Today Odin, our beloved, almost ten-year-old boxer, crossed the Rainbow Bridge. The problems with his back had made him lose control of his hind quarters causing him to fall over and over again as he tried to walk from house to yard and back. He was cheerful and loving to the very end.

Odin was a six week old puppy when he joined our household.  He had the biggest feet of any puppy I'd ever seen along with a bold, confident attitude.  He easily joined our family and after putting our rottweiler puppy in her place when she bowled him over one too many times, they became inseparable friends. He made friends with the farm goats and chickens and slept with the household cats. We were all members of his pack. He made it his duty to warn us of all approaching strangers with a wonderful deep, loud bark.  We always felt safe while he was on duty. In spite of his huge bark, he was a friendly, people loving teddy bear. A cheerful clown from beginning to end, he filled our lives with love and slobbery kisses.

We miss him desperately.