Natalie visited the bank this week. Following are pictures taken in the bank. She was beautiful in her dress!
Happy 2nd Birthday, Natalie!
Bittersweetly, Natalie turned 2 on October 19th. She’s such a little ham. She tells everyone she is 4. She is already talking about wanting to go to school (she isn’t related to me!), she likes to go to Me-Mart (Wal-mart) and a baby doll (again, not related to me) is her latest favorite toy. A conversation mom and her had last week:
Natalie was in her high-chair eating breakfast.
MOM: “Natalie, you are thru eating. Do you want down?”
NATALIE: “No, I want some take (cake).”
MOM: “You can’t have cake right now. You have to wait until after dinner. Now do you want down?”
NATALIE: “No. I want dinner.”
She talks in near full sentences. She knows her colors and can count to 10. She likes to play ring-around-the-rosie, mostly to get to purposely fall on the ground. These are pictures from her birthday party.
Huntsville, Here I Come!
Once again I am a Huntsvillian. Nothing ever stays the same. I started working in Huntsville, worked in Fayetteville a few months, went back to Huntsville for a year or so, have worked in Fayetteville for the last 2 years, and am returning to Huntsville. It came as no surprise, as I had known what was to happen. But I didn’t expect it this early. Mixed feelings…you get used to one place and a routine. I have worked so hard to get lobby control worked out in Fayetteville. I had finally got it mastered just a few months ago and I have to leave it all behind. They are expecting me to do the same in Huntsville. I had 2 near perfect tellers, finally. I must start back at zero in Hville. Over the next few months, I will train for an accounting/human resource position. I am really excited for the opportunity and the challenge.
Fayetteville says they will miss Marlaina. Following are pics from my farewell/birthday party.They had Slim Chickens catered with the best baked potato salad and the best sweet tea.
They know me too well about dessert. Because I have made at least one cake every week for the last while, I am sick of them. So, I had a cookie instead.
A few of the fine Fayetteville folk. My boss is to the right of me in orange. I will miss her management style! She is the reason I am moving on due to “I’m doing what is the best for the future of the bank.”
The old desk on a typical day. I don’t think they will miss this.
Emily’s Wedding Shower
Emily says she will be married in October. I have a hard time believing it due to the fact that she will not bring her significant other near the bank. We had her a shower at work anyway.
Cheryl made her a croisage(or however that’s spelled).
Fit for a Bride!
Vicki made her an apron.
Her cake I made
Fair Time in Madison County!
Curtis purchasing a cow
Deana and I working the fair booth
Going Patriotic & Being Nanny
We kid’s buggies. Going patriotic. In the wrong order but red, white, and blue.
3 different colors…3 different brands.
Being Nanny to this little one is an adventure! Her dad has a farm in Pettigrew, and he has hogs that they butcher. The last time I kept her we were driving to her house and she was telling me all about how their pigs had to go to a different home. I said “They went to a different home?” She said “Yeah, daddy said they had to go the doctor.” Ha ha! Little did she know she had been eating those pigs.
Two months and I’ll be 23…going on 16…literally. And not by choice. I’ve worked in the public for the last 4 years and from day 1 I’ve been constantly reminded at how young I look. Customers want to trust the banker with their money. During my first while at the bank I believe a few customers steered away from my teller window due to the fact they weren’t quite sure I was able to safely handle their transaction. Customers too often have commented that “Oh, you’re not old enough to work at a bank.” And I come back with “I know. I hear that all the time. I’m really older than I look.” I’ve actually argued several times with several customers about my age. I should know how old I am, right? Nah, some don’t believe me. I have threatened to get a t-shirt and have “I am ____(however old)” stamped on it. During just the last month I can remember three instances concerning my youthful self. I shall share:
I took my dad tire shopping with me. He and the tire shop owner were haggling over the price of the tires. Tire Guy: “Is she out of high school?”
Dad: “Nope. Not yet.” (What in the cat hair was that supposed to mean? Did my dad even forget that I graduated 4 whopping years ago? I patiently listened but later questioned him.)
A couple weeks later I went truck shopping. Again, I usually take my dad with me to do all the jewing. This particular day he had previous plans so I set out by myself to do the task. I didn’t plan to purchase; I would bring my dad back when I found the perfect buggy. I was test driving the truck that I later did end up buying. The salesman and I were cruising comfortably.
Salesman: “Will your dad be on this loan with you?”
Me: “No. My dad has never been on any loan with me. If I’m old enough to drive and I’m old enough to buy, then I’m old enough to have a loan in my own name. I have credit. Good credit. And I have enough to buy anything on your lot.”
Salesman: “Wow. (He was impressed, but still wondering.) But you’re not in high school?”
Me: “Nope. 22.”
Salesman: “You don’t look it at all.”
Me: “So I hear.”
And just this week I was at the Madison Co Courthouse taking care of some business. As I am walking in, the Police Captain says “You here for a driving test?” And I replied, “Nope.”
I’ve been told that in a few years I’ll appreciate looking young. I only wish it would start now.
