The Make-Up Lady

Would you ever in a million years think I’d have anything to do with selling make up??? Nope. Me either! An acquaintance owns a Merle Norman store. One day earlier in the year, she asked if I would work for her occasionally. I said yes and have been filling in for her since spring. Most months, I only work 2-3 days. I didn’t work any in July. September has been a different story. Her dad has been ill for a while and was finally admitted to hospice. He passed away on the 17th. She had a lot going on with that so last week I put in 36 hours! It’s a really easy job until someone wants to try a new color. I don’t feel completely qualified to help with that, but I just do my best. The biggest drawback to the job is that I run the store all by myself. If no customers come in, I am BORED. I bring books, listen to audio books and watch Netflix on my phone when I have a strong enough signal. Sometimes I talk to my brother on the phone. Thankfully he has a job that’s slow sometimes too!

 

When I started working there I only used cheap brands that I could find at any drugstore, namely Wal-Mart. Patty gives me a pretty good discount, so I began to buy some of what I’m selling. I’m using a lot of their products now and am enjoying it. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can afford the stuff if I no longer get the discount! Last month, my check was for $93 and I had $113 in product. That’s $113 of discounted product! Ha! I try not to buy unless I know I’ll at least break even for the day. I hate the thought of going in the hole… <grin>

 

Here’s a picture of me on the job. The store also sells wigs, a bit of jewelry, handbags and candles.

 

 

Here’s a shot of the store from the front door. The décor is a bit dated and I’m not really a purple person. The owner is a purple person through and through!! Even the carpet is a shade of purple…

Homecoming 2012

Homecoming night went pretty much according to plan. Hadley and friends came over for supper before the game. (David saved the day by taking off early to fix it! This working girl had to work until 6!) After the game, they came back here and made dessert and spent the night. When Alli finished with her date, she came over to join the other girls. We fixed Texas-shaped waffles with fruit and whipped cream for breakfast. What else would we serve? Ha! Lance and his friends decided to watch a movie instead of go to the game—where’s their school spirit?? ;), then spent the night at another home. Everyone seemed to have a great time!

 

The game was incredibly crowded! We left the house a few minutes late and really paid for it. This is also Fair Week, so the stadium was right in the middle of Friday night at the Fair! (WHY do they ever plan a big football game on Fair Week????!!) Traffic was heavy and parking limited. We had to park in the adjacent neighborhood and walk a long ways to the stadium. Then, we were lucky to find a seat!

 

The queen was announced at half-time. Alli didn’t win, but she looked beautiful in her gown! We cheered for her and were so proud! The new football coach’s daughter won. I’m sure she deserved it, but we were rooting for Alli, of course! The team did well and beat a highly ranked school.

 

Here’s our view from the nosebleeds!

Doin’ a little backtracking

First day of school 2012

Hadley is a SENIOR. Lance is a SOPHOMORE.

Notice the cowboy boots on Lance? That’s new this year. It goes with his truck. :)

Hadley’s Last High School Homecoming!

<Sniff> Can you believe it’s here?? This is the first of many lasts this year! Homecoming seemed to come earlier this year, but I think I’m just not quite ready for the rush of activities we are about to experience. So much is going on already. She’s got 7 dual credit college hours, as well as several AP classes. The one place she’s taking it easy is math and she loves the slower pace of a non-AP class! She comes home surprised at times with how much less is expected. I think it’s great—senior year is for fun, too!!

 

Hadley doesn’t have a date this year. Most of her closest friends are also dateless, so they will go together. I’m sure they’ll all have a great time—with or without a date! Several of them are coming over to our house for dinner, to the game, then back to our house to spend the night. We are making one of her favorites---garlic chicken farfalle. We’ll have brownies for desert and maybe even s’mores on our little fire pit. Lance is supposed to be hanging with friends at the game, then headed to one of their houses to spend the night. It should be a great night!

 

The homecoming parade was tonight. I love how the neighborhood comes out for it. People of all ages are there to cheer the floats on. One thing I noticed this year is that we didn’t have a Veteran’s Float. I always enjoy that one so I’m sad it wasn’t included. Hadley rode the student council float which came at the very end. The overall theme of the parade was super heroes. Hadley’s group was Captain America. She sat next to one of her new friends, Tasha, who will be joining us tomorrow night.

 

 

 

 

One of her best friends, Alli, is a homecoming queen nominee. She got to ride in a cool car driven by her smiling dad. We’ll find out tomorrow night if she won!! Go Alli!!

 

 

Here’s good ol’ David Ballard! Alli, David and Hadley have been good friends since the first grade. Love that kid! He was on the swim team float and rode at the top. He never looked at me, so this was the best shot I got. Apparently there’s a little rift between Alli, Hadley and David right now. It seems he didn’t ask the right girl to homecoming. Ha!

And he’s legal!!

On September 11, Lance had to go to the hospital for a few tests. After we finished, we headed over to the DPS office for Lance to take his driving test. The offices were eerily quiet and our wait time was short. I asked the clerk if it was because it was the anniversary of the attack. She didn’t seem to think so any more—said in the earlier years right after it happened it did make a difference. This time, she thought we just got lucky.

 

Lance, however, can’t seem to catch a break. Instead of one examiner riding along, he got TWO. The examiner was being evaluated but I’m sure Lance felt all eyes on him! He managed to pass---just by the skin of his teeth! But he did pass. He was so relieved and excited and has enjoyed driving himself places all week long. I can hardly believe all my children can drive themselves. I’m almost completely obsolete now. Ha!

 

 

Waiting for the test to begin…

 

Here we go!

 

He did it!!

Say do you rememba…. Septemba??

What a gorgeous September day!!! We’ve had some rain—thank the LORD!!!!—and some grey, cloudy days this week. The rain was much needed, but oh how I love crisp, beautiful fall days like today! The sky is blue. There is only a light breeze and the air is crisp. *Love* it!!

 

David and I ran the Share the Road 5k this morning. The bed almost won. Running 3 miles didn’t sound like near as much fun as staying in the warm, cozy bed. BUT, at 7:30 we finally dragged ourselves up and raced around to be at the run that started at 8!! Yep. We got up, got dressed, got out the door and over to Amarillo College just in time. So really, our race started at 7:30. Ha! While it wasn’t ideal, it worked and we had a good time. Tango’s Tacos provided yummy breakfast burritos after and we enjoyed visiting and basking in the glow of our accomplishment. This was David’s first time to run in about 8 weeks. His torn IT band hasn’t healed as quickly as we thought and today he decided to go for it anyway. He had twinges of pain but we hope it’s more of a soreness than unhealed injury. Of course, he paced me—the one who has been running 4 times a week over the last 8 weeks. How can he do that?? Our time was pretty good---31:40. I’m happy any time I get under 32!! Maybe one of these days I can break 30……

 

New Truck!

So it seems that sometimes, money CAN buy happiness!! That look right there is the look of pure joy! And that look is PRICELESS!

 

 

 

A recent hard drive crash made me realize just how important this blog is… When I think of all I lost---although I haven’t given up hope on it all just yet!—I am reminded that a lot of great memories are right here on the ol’ neglected blog. If I’d kept it up the last year or so, many of the important moments would have been preserved, regardless of my hit-or-miss backups! I hope this reminder will be enough to motivate me to keep it updated!!

 

Today seemed like a great day to start up again. It has been a momentous day!! We bought Lance’s first car today. A 2004 F-150 super crew. It’s really nice, nicer than either car David or I drive. But isn’t that the way of a parent? Anyway, it’s got very high mileage but has been well maintained. We are crossing our fingers that it remains reliable for a good while longer. It belonged to a local preacher who was thrilled that his prized truck was going to Lance. Lance hopes to get his license next week, provided he completes the remaining portions of his driver’s ed. Until then, he will drive it with pride with one of us along.

 

We completed the purchase this morning, finishing just before lunch. David and I drove to AHS and picked Lance up and headed to Chick-Fil-A. He beamed the whole time! He’s been looking for a truck for most of the summer. He has decided that he wants to pay for his truck himself, something his older brother and sister had no interest in doing. We are so proud of his independence and determination. He has saved some money and has budgeted his payments and spending cash for the next little while. If he can do even half of what he’s shooting for, he will do great! What an amazing kid!