Stepping Stones

I've only had a few jobs in my life but each were stepping stones to get me where I am today.



First Job
When I first got out of high school I was going to college and working part time. I found a job at a law firm as a file clerk/receptionist/errand girl.



Second Job

I was only at the law firm for 6 months when I had the opportunity to work for the Naval Air Station at Point Mugu. I don't even remember what my title was but I was very low on the todem pole but over the next 11 years I worked my way up to a Financial Analyst. I went through a lot while I was working here. I got married, had a baby (sweet daughter) and went through a divorce while I sported my Government badge. I faced tough times here but some of my best memories were here as well. I had the best co-workers. It was the only place I've ever worked where I could work all day and then stay out drinking until way too late with people I worked with. We were all young and basically grew up together. This is where I met one of my best friends.

I decided it was time to leave when there were talks of having a Reduction In Force (RIF). It was time to get off that sinking ship. Time to get out from under the Government umbrella and into the public workforce.


Third Job

I found a job very quickly at a company that manufactured GPS antennas. I was in charge of all the contracts and customers. This was a fun place to work as well. This is where I met one of my other best friend. I worked here for 2 years.



It's also where I met "Buddy" unexpectedly. My sweet boy.


The day that I left on maternity leave was the last day I ever stepped foot at the job. I lived on faith alone that I'd be taken care of and I was. After Buddy was born I started looking for a job. I could not be picky so I answered every ad, job posting I could find. One day I received a call from a lady interested in my resume and asked if I could come in for an interview. Everything sounded great, it was a small company 15 minutes from where I lived, I'd basically be doing the same thing I was at my last job and the pay was a little better.

Fourth Job

I went through two interviews and was offered the job. I started the day after Mother's Day 1999. 9 years ago this weekend. I've been blessed to be part of this company for 9 years. I've grown with this company professionally, spiritually and personally. They have seen both of my children grow into the wonderful people they are. They have supported me during the tough times of a single mom. They have confidence in my talents and abilities and have compensated me very well.

I was blessed to have found this company. Not only for the job but this is also where I met my loving husband J - 9 years ago.

Wait...It's November?

"Time flies when you are having fun", "Where did the time go?", "Every year goes by quicker". These are all such lame sayings but oh so true. This morning I went to change the calendar in my office now that we are in a new month... To my surprise I found this

I didn't even change the calendar last month!! Where the heck did October go? Halloween is already over? And Thanksgiving is 2 1/2 weeks away? Really? Don't get me wrong, I love Thanksgiving, the food, the time together with family and of course the "day after shopping" but wasn't it just August? Wasn't it just Summer?

Today my friend D's daughter turns 7! Seven people! Another stupid but true saying "Why I remember that day as if it was yesterday". I do remember the day she was born - I was blessed to be there when she came into the world. I remember that morning, finding out she was in labor and high tailing it to the hospital to be there when little D was born. But has it really been seven years? Time seriously has flown!

I spent most of 2007 planning our June wedding, so it's not surprising that I was "preoccupied" for half the year. But to actually lose a year is crazy!!! My birthday was in June (2 weeks before the wedding) and I turned 39. Either I considered it uneventful or I was in denial - I missed it. I have been thinking this whole time I was 38. When a friend of mine turned 40 recently it made me think... "wait - how old AM I?" This is 2007, I was born in 1968 - Holy crap! I'm 39! Where did that year go to? Unfortunately, life does not slow down. No matter how much we moan and groan. It keeps going. "Make the most of every day"- is also a saying but not a stupid one.

Weekend Update

The weekend was a good one - a few activities + a lot of rest = happy Missy. I was still recovering from this stupid cough/cold and the lack of anything to do was great! Saturday morning was of course soccer. The Green Extreme was able to add another Win to it's total and Buddy was able to add another goal to his. It was an exciting game!

After the game we went to my friend D's for little D's birthday. She's turning 7 - unbelievable. I was blessed to be in the room with she was born and now I can't believe she's already 7. She is a cutie and quite the performer. It was a great birthday party complete with a magician and cupcakes from Leda's Yum!!!!! I was in heaven with the Velvet cupcake.
Earlier Buddy picked out little D's gift - a webkinz. If you have children, I'm sure you know what these are. They are adorable stuffed animals that Webkinz come with a unique Secret Code. With it, you enter Webkinz World where you care for your virtual pet, answer trivia, earn KinzCash, and play the best kids games on the net! I thought they were so cute I let Buddy get one also. He played for hours on the computer taking care of his black lab "Jackson".

Sunday morning I had the craving for a big omelet. I had found this recipe during the week and was dying to try to make it. It was awesome!!!!

The rest of the day was spent doing chores around the house. J and I were able to actually have an impromptu dinner together - just the two of us at a new place in Ventura Harbor Village - Brophy Bros. Restaurant & Clam Bar. They are known for their fish & chips and clam chowder. It was delicious!!!

Our view from the bar

That was the weekend. Not too much but just enough!!!

Friday Update

Just a quick update while it's fresh on my mind or lips.... I finally was able to see what all the fuss is over Leda's Bakeshop. I met my D at T.G.I Fridays (we met there instead of Johnny Rockets). Oh my gosh - they did not disappoint. When we first arrived D opened the box so I could smell the icing. We looked like we were hovering over a box of gold. We both had our "lite" lunches and then we were ready to experience Leda's.

D is wonderful - she had gone the day before (actually she tried last week but it was a Friday at lunch and there was no where to park) so back she went yesterday.

She got two of each -

*Velvet (All the delicious red velvet taste without the artificial coloring. Topped with a rich cream cheese frosting)

*Passionfruit (Vanilla cupcake with passionfruit curd and passionfruit buttercream)

* Strawberry (Vanilla cupcake with strawberry cream filling and strawberry buttercream)

*Lemon (Vanilla cupcake with lemon curd and lemon buttercream)

And an unknown. She couldn't remember which it was. Will be fun to find out.

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So we divided them up and both chose the Velvet as the one we first wanted to try. It was awesome. The cake was so light, so tasty. The icing was good - a little sweet for me - but the cupcake itself was everything I had thought it would be. I wish we would have ordered a big glass of milk before we started eating. But it was still good. We both wanted to try and mini - again we chose the same - this time the strawberry. The icing for this cupcake was light and fluffy with a little tinge of strawberry. I was so full I couldn't finish. I now have a box of these little yummies in my fridge here at work. I have an eye on it so no one can try to make off with them. I can't wait to share with the family.

Oh Happy Friday!

Happy Friday. I've been looking forward to today for a couple different reasons.

* It's Friday.

* I'm having lunch with my dear dear friend D. She and I have known each other for close to 10 years. We worked together at my last job and have remained friends since. She is extremely creative, talented, and a wonderful friend. Not to mention she is an extraordinary mom. I was fortunate to be in the room when little D was born almost 6 years ago! Wow!!

* She works in the Valley so we are meeting 1/2 way at Johnny Rockets. I'm sure it will be fun and yummy.

* D's bringing ...... cupcakes from the infamous Leda's Bake Shop. I've mentioned to her a time or two about my "cupcake envy". Being the wonderful friend that she is - she trucked to Leda's yesterday and picked up a box so we could enjoy them at lunch today. Another reason why I love my friend!!!!

* BevMo is having the $.05 wine sale. I've never been and I'm going to make this sale hopefully on my way back from lunch. Hmmmm what will I find.

* Tonight is the 2nd game of the Division Series between the Angels and the Red Sox. My beloved Angels lost the first game on Wednesday but I'm hoping we can come back tonight and make the series even for when they head back to Anaheim this weekend. Oh how I love the Angels!

* It's Friday!!!!