Good News: Brenda got a job.
Bad News: The pay sucks!

Good News: Potential new career track.
Bad News: Education ($$$) ultimately required.

Good News: She'll be working at our daughters' school.
Bad News: School diseases potential coming home now times three.

Good News: Bought Brenda roses as congratulatory gift.
Bad News: Met UOAS at the cash register.

All kidding aside, it's great that Brenda now returns to the ranks of the employed. She really liked her time at home, being able to accomplish tasks that she had little time for otherwise. But she feels great being able to leave the dole of the state (thanks, Maryland!). I truly wish I made enough so that she could stay at home (her expressed preference) but alas. She'll be an assistant to one of the special needs classes (not Olivia's) and feels very insecure about her qualifications. I assured her that as long as she brought the right temperament to the job, the children will be rewarded by the experience. She's hoping that she'll make observations that will benefit Olivia. I'm hoping that she doesn't get burned out by having to do what she'll do 24 hrs/day. She starts Monday. I wish her well.


Six Replies to Good News, Bad News, Good News...

Scott Hardie | January 23, 2010
So do I.

Kelly has done that work, if she can answer any questions for Brenda.

Lori Lancaster | January 24, 2010
[hidden by author request]

Amy Austin | January 24, 2010
Ditto... good luck, brave woman! ;-p

Jackie Mason | January 29, 2010
[hidden by author request]

Melissa Anderson | March 3, 2010
FYI I don't know what UOAS means, but every time i see it think ROUS. You know, rodent of unusual size. I hope that's not it :)

Steve West | March 3, 2010
Closer than you imagine. It's an acronym for Ugly On A Stick, my grocery store nemesis.


Web Junkie

Steve West scours the Web searching for interest or absurdity and then shakes his head ruefully when he finds it. Read more »

Not All Heroes Wear Capes

At 11:00 a.m., Brenda called me from the school where she works and told me that she had fallen and was unable to drive home. She needed me to 1) find a second driver for her car, 2) come get her and take her to urgent care and 3) make sure that Olivia is taken care of when she arrives home in an hour. Go »

49 Out of 50 is Pretty Compelling

Forty-nine out of fifty states currently have snow on the ground from recent snowfalls. Guess which state is the only one without snow. That's right, Brenda. Go »

What The Hell Is An Egg Roll Anyway?

Outside of a chinese restaurant I had never encountered an Easter egg roll before. We managed to become the recipients of four tickets to this year's White House Easter Egg Roll. We were not there to witness the President's participation as we were in the last of three groups and he presented himself to the first. Go »

Tale Of The Mediocre Football Fan

Last Thursday, Brenda and I went to the final preseason football game of the Washington Redskins. The game was less than meaningful (as is the nature of preseason football) because rarely do actual starters play in the final preseason game. But the tickets and parking were free (gift from a friend), and it gave Brenda and I an opportunity to have an evening for just the two of us, a rarity for most parents. Go »

Mean Husband... or Funny Guy?

Since Brenda is home and doing well, I will share yet another reason I will spend ETERNITY IN HELL. At the hospital, after her surgery and recovery, she began to wake up in the room. She was covered in a blanket up to her neck, and as her eyes barely fluttered open and she saw me standing over her caressing her cheek, I said, "Baby, something went wrong and they had to remove your whole body. Go »

Unspoken Cultural Differences

Various hand gestures mean different things, depending on where in the world you happen to be. This guide to unspoken communication may be invaluable to those globetrotters out there. Go »