Class of 2011

It's Memorial Day weekend and many high school graduations are taking place around the city of Omaha as well.  Millard South High School is no exception.  If you remember, back in January, news spread of gun shots being fired in a high school.  Well, that happened at Millard South, merely a couple miles from my own home.  It was a very sad day as one of the two victims that had been shot, died from her wounds, as well as the shooter who took his own life. 

After working overtime today I would be celebrating with a young lady, Rachel Smith, at her graduation open house.  The actual ceremony took place yesterday at the Civic Auditorium located down town.  It was bittersweet for the senior class as they had a moment of silence to remember the day of the incident involving the shooting. 

The high schools have so many students in the senior classes that the school gymnasiums would never be large enough to hold all the people in attendance.  So they usually take place at the Civic.   

So after arriving home, I took a short nap, and then got cleaned up.  Rachel, the daughter of one of my co-workers on the ramp at Southwest Airlines, has grown up before my eyes.   I've known Rachel for the better part of 14 years as I've worked with her Mom for at least that long. 

I went to their house and found everyone outside on the driveway or just inside the garage.  There was a long table of food and beverages for all to enjoy as well as a long table of photos featuring Rachel as she grew up through the years.  It also had her diploma and several yearbooks for anyone to browse through. 



Rachel

Her grandparents from Iowa, her aunt and uncle from Iowa and the east coast, her boyfriend and many school friends were there to help her celebrate.  The weather was perfect even though the humidity was a bit high.  The sun was hidden behind some clouds and aided in keeping the temperature at a comfortable setting.  After enjoying some food and company, I congratulated Rachel on her accomplishment and decided to head for home.  Another successful education.  Congratulations Rachel!  A job well done!

Overtime Galore!

Over the years of my employment with Southwest Airlines, I've seen a lot of ramp agents either quit, get fired or simply promote to supervisor.  Whichever of those things happens, a position on the ramp opens up which in turn creates over time.  I'm not usually one to turn down the extra pay or the extra hours.  I'll work over time pretty much anytime I can if I have nothing else happening. 
This spring has been no exception.  All of a sudden we had three positions open up on the ramp.  Wow!  Over time hours were in abundance!  I decided to cash in. 
I signed up to work overtime on both my days off, Sunday and Monday, for the next two weekends.  And I knew I would get it too.  There were so many shifts available that they actually had to mandatory agents if there weren't enough people volunteering to work it. 
I remember one year, maybe about 14 years back, having worked a month straight without a day off.  Some of it was voluntary and some of it was mandatory.  But I raked in any hours I could because it definitely enhances the paycheck!  We get paid time and a half on our first day off and double time on our second consecutive day off.  So it's worth it to put in the time.  I knew I was in for a long couple of weeks by doing this but I wanted to take whatever I could get. 
I'm so used to getting up early that even when I do have a day off, I'm up by 6AM, as a rule.  So why not just work and make some extra money? 
I was ready for the long haul....bring it on! 

Girls Night Out

Every once in a while, some of my friends and I will have a girls night out.  We go for drinks and then dinner.  This is usually just an excuse to share with each other, some of the details of our lives that we may need advice on.  Tammy, Trisa, Susan Mortensen and myself met tonight for our monthly night out.  We met at a place called The Upstream in West Omaha.  There are two locations in town and this was the easiest one to get to for all of us.
We ordered cocktails, appetizers for all to share and then our own individual selection for the main course.  We proceeded to talk non stop while we waited for all the food to be brought to our table.  Typically we each take a turn at venting about whatever is happening with work, relationships or kids.  There's never a dull moment or a silent moment for that matter!  I know, four women and no silence.  Shocking, right? 
We had asked for a table that was in a more secluded area so as not to disturb those around us.  But we were actually right in the middle of the main dining area.  So much for that idea!  But we did manage to keep our volume down to a low roar and the other patrons didn't seem to notice us.....much! 
Our food arrived and we dug in but it didn't slow our conversation at all.  We were eating as fast as we were talking.  This is pretty typical for us.  The waiter kept coming back to check on us and even though we picked on him a bit he didn't seem to mind. 
A few hours later we seemed to have talked everything out and decided it was time to go home.  We all had to work the next day anyway or I think we would have sat there for a few more hours! 
Our girl time is special to us even though our huge group of friends gets together pretty often at someones home.  But the nights we can gather without the men or children is much more productive!  I love you girls!!! Thanks for the great night! 

Happy "10" Anniversary Trisa and Jamie!

May 5th marked 10 years married for my good friends Trisa and Jamie.  I had told them several weeks before that they should do something special, just the two of them.  Because they have a young son in school, I told them that I would even take care of him while they were gone.  Then it wouldn't upset his schedule and the dog would be taken care of at the same time.  So the planning began and for them the biggest challenge was to figure out just where to go.  Jamie wanted to be somewhat close by yet out of town was okay too.  Trisa was game to go anywhere.  But going somewhere they hadn't been before was a must. 
After making the decision to go to Nebraska City, NE., I arranged to have an extra day off for the weekend. 
Gavin, their son, had a soccer game on Saturday morning.  I went to watch him play along with Trisa and Jamie and Judy, Trisa's Mom.  From there Trisa and Jamie left for their overnight trip.  Gavin had a birthday party to attend at noon immediately following his game.  I took him to Chuck E. Cheese Pizza where he found his friends and I stayed to have a little bite to eat myself.  The Grandma of one of his friends came by to pick up both boys and take them to an outdoor amphitheater for a couple of hours.  So I had time to go to my house and change clothes, take care of my cats for the rest of the day and go to Gavin's house in time for him to be dropped off.  He had been a very busy little guy for the whole day up to this point.  He was glad to be home and changed clothes. 
He relaxed for quite a while and played his XBox 360.  After awhile we went outside and played soccer on the driveway.  I saw another friend of mine (that is a neighbor of Trisa and Jamie) sitting outside with her kids and enjoying the outside air.  We walked to her house and visited with her for awhile. 
That night, after getting to say hi to his Mom and Dad via a phone call, Gavin fell asleep pretty early.  I turned in myself shortly afterwards. 
The next morning after sleeping in, Gavin and I had some cereal for breakfast.  It wasn't long after that the Jamie and Trisa arrived home.  It was a short 45 minute drive for them.  I made my way home and being it was also Mother's Day, made a call to my step Mom Beverly to wish her a good day.