Vanpooling Day 2

Well, Day 1 on the vanpool last Friday was pretty tame. I didn't talk much because it was early for me, and I hadn't had my Diet Coke yet.

Day 2 is apparently the day I become part of the inner circle because on the ride home, I learned all kinds of drama.

1) We can't share our e-mail addresses with one member because it might get shared with Facebook spam and porn site. : )
2) One van rider quit this week that had been riding for years because she didn't get the seat she wanted anymore.
3) One van rider, who is also a back up driver, is trying to get her own van because she can't sit in the shotgun seat anymore and wants to control where she sits.
4) Years ago one rider jumped over the back seats to assault the driver and cuss him out.

Drama...drama... I haven't really experienced any of these things first hand yet, but find it funny that any group of people put together for a long period of time eventually has tension and dissent. Funny how humans are isn't it?

Vanpooling....

Well....I have started vanpooling with Rideshare. Aviva will subsidize my commute through Rideshare, so I am saving around $350/month in gas alone not counting the wear and tear on my vehicle I am avoiding.

The crowd I am traveling with are all State of Iowa employees working at the Capital complex downtown Des Moines, so I am a little out of their way. However, that means I am the first dropped off and last to be picked up.

My co-workers are pretty sure this won't last. Even the auditors that are here right now want in on the pool they are talking about getting started betting on the day I will miss the van.
I am known to have a very erratic schedule, don't function well in the morning, and leave late at least one day a week. However, I am bound and determined to make this work. : ) I am hoping this helps me begin work earlier and more regularly each day. Starting earlier is a resolution I made this year and have yet to keep it as I was helping with the girls in the mornings before school.

I have already had quite a few stories to tell about the van trips this week, so it won't be dull. I plan to update this blog from time to time with the vanpooling drama. ENJOY!

Happy, Happy Birthday, Hailey!

Sorry that we won't be able to see you for your birthday. Hope you had a good day and enjoy this video.

Softball season....

Softball season is here and is what we are doing almost every evening in the Cunningham household these days. Eliza is playing tee ball for the first time and Skylar is on two different teams this year. Skylar played in her first tournament last weekend and the team placed 3rd of 4 teams. I was proud of the way she hustled on the field and didn't back down from the pitcher. I was amazed that she and her teammates were not intimidated by the other teams given that most of the girls were 2 years older than Skylar.
Here are a few random pics from the games.

Digital Layout Share...

Just thought I would pop in today to share a digital scrapbook layout I put together today. The proceeds from the purchase of the digital kit go to Autism Speaks with $4 in matching dollars going to the cause as well.

http://www.songbirdavenue.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13&products_id=33

Latest pages...

Not much to report today in the Cunningham household. I have been working from home with a sick Eliza the last couple of days. Yesterday was fairly productive, but today I spent all day on conference calls, e-mailing from my Blackberry and smacking my computer. How could it work one day and not the next?!?!? ... the question of the day...Is technology supposed to make our lives easier or more stressful?...


Anyway, I thought I would share a few of my latest layouts.

Also, here are the girls' latest school pictures. Skylar's photo made me teary eyed. They are just growing up too fast! E-mail me if you want me to order you some...

Easter...and blessings...

It's been a while again since I have posted. I have, again, been very busy at work and Danny is working night and day at the lake. We are also gearing up with softball, t-ball, and dance recital around here. The spring time is really no fun for mom the taxi driver.

I have tried to take a little time and smell the roses each day, however. I have written a quote on my white board at work, "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." So true....So true...I love having the little reminder in my cubicle every day.

Things to be thankful for this week:

1) Easter...the blessing of eternal life is a gift like no other, and the chance to share the day with family was wonderful.

2) A husband who loves me unconditionally and is also my best friend

3) At least it is spring and not winter now that we discovered we need a new furnace : (

4) Kids who are healthy most days (stayed home with Skylar once this week but haven't stayed home all school year until now)

5) Eliza hit her first t-ball off of a pitch...so thankful to be able to feel a mother's pride

6) Skylar is a wonder at piano...the teacher can't say enough about her talent and is happy to have her as a student. Again, so thankful to be able to feel a mother's pride.

7) Having a job that is 75% up my alley even if it kicks my butt and drains my energy certain days. Some people aren't lucky enough to know a fulfilling career let alone have a job in this economy.

8) Wonderful friends to vent to and be able to be there for them as well.

9) Blankets and slippers....did I say our furnace is broken?

10) Internet blogs,Twitter and Facebook, and Star Trek and Deadliest Catch on Tivo. These distractions help me wind down and be able to use my brain again another day. Boy, do I need these diversions.... All work and no play makes Gina a CRANKY LADY!!!!!

Thanks for listening to me ramble. Here are a few Easter photos of the girls coloring eggs. ENJOY!