Nanny FAQ

(originally posted at eclaircie.diaryland.com)

Okay, so for those that don’t know, the major news in my life right now is that I’m moving to Denver to go be a nanny. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to figure out what to do with my life lately, and this has felt like the best decision for me on a lot of levels. I’ve had many a question posed to me about this new development, and have put together a little list of common questions in good ol’ Q & A format for your information/pleasure.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: When do you leave?
A: Exact date is a little in the air, but it’ll be sometime between July 3rd and July 9th.

Q: How did you find out about this position?
A: Being a nanny was an idea I was playing around with for a while. I ended up posting a profile on a nanny hiring website so that I could look at families’ profiles and get a better idea of what sort of people hired nannies, what sort of duties families expected of nannies and that sort of thing. When I first went on, I didn’t really have much intention of actually doing it, but then I ended up in contact with a few different families and talking about coming to live with them and it started sounding like it would be a good thing for me. And this family in Denver was a favorite. We talked a lot, and felt it was a fit, so that was that.

Q: How many kids? Boys or girls? Ages?
A: Two boys. Conner and Brad. Ages 8 and 6.

Q: Is the family LDS?
A: No. The father is Jewish and the mother is Christian, and it’s not a very religious home. They do, however, celebrate all of the holidays. And a little Hanukkah never hurt anyone.

Q: What about school?
A: I’ll be able to do school while I’m there. The boys will both be gone to school all day, so I’ll have plenty of time for it. I’ll get back to you on exactly where I’ll be attending and how much school I’ll do.

Q: Do you know anyone in Denver? Will you have any friends?
A: I really don’t know a soul. Well…I guess Sam Belt’s on his mission there, so that’s a soul, but you can’t hang out with missionaries. But, I’m pretty comfortable with going somewhere where I don’t know anyone. I can make friends. Or be happy without friends. It’s not something that worries me. I’ll be going to a single’s ward for church and hope to be heavily involved in that group, and I might meet people through school, too.

Q: What do the parents do?
A: They’re both pilots. Mike flies for United and Judy flies for FedEx.

Q: Since the Mike flies for United, do you get an opportunity to fly free on any flight they have if you do stand-by?
A: What? Nobody’s asked me that.

Q: I know, but you like to brag about it.
A: This is true.

But, yeah, it should be good. There are certainly some things that suck about it. There are a lot of people in Provo that I’m going to miss. And I’m actually pretty sad that I’m not going to do day camp this summer, because it’s such fun job and I’ve spent all this last year thinking of games I can play and crafts we could make and even making CDs with the intention of having something good to listen to during lunchtime (last year it was somehow either Maroon 5 or Kenny Chesney EVERY SINGLE DAY) (the art of making mixes for a group of children of varying ages and interests and backgrounds is difficult, but I happen to be a master). However, I’m really quite thrilled about this new adventure. It’s what a need at this point in my life.

Concerto

(originally posted at eclaircie.diaryland.com)

I basically just do housework and attend various soccer games, band concerts, etc. That's it for my life. It's not that bad, though.

I was at a Murray band concert last night, though, and discovered something really fabulous. There's still a sticker tag on one of the flute lockers that says "Andrea Wonnacott" on it. I showed Mr. Lacher and he agreed that that was totally off the shizzle. But now I'm worried that he'll take them off, since it's been pointed out that the lockers haven't been cleaned for at least seven years. But...that's my legacy there. My legacy in bad handwriting on locker #158. Future generations need to see that.

Hazing

(originally posted at eclaircie.diaryland.com)

Okay, so I haven't written here in a while. In my house it's near impossible to get time on the computer and even nearer impossible to get time on the computer when people aren't reading of your shoulder. I can't write when people are watching; They sit there and correct you and comment on what you're writing and you keep on yelling "I'm getting to that!" Also, if there's anything more embarrassing than having people read things that you've written, it's having them read during the writing process. Because as awful as the final products may be, the drafts are far worse.

But anyway, I just have a little story to share in here for now. Perhaps it will remind you why it might not be such a bad thing that I haven't updated in a while.

I am innocently on the computer when Nate comes up to me. "Andrea, I've been eagerly waiting for you to get home because you're the only person in the world who will pull off all the dead skin on my foot."

And I readily agree. It will be fun. And I'll take extra time to clip and file his toenails, while I'm at it. And I also think about painting them because he would hate it, but not be able to do anything about it (with the cast, he can't reach his own feet, you see), but decide to be nice.

Anyway, I peel off all of this dead skin on his toes...and it's pretty gross, but also pretty fun. And I place all the skin on his knee while I go. Marsha comes in and I have a great idea.

Me: Hey Marsha, I dare you to eat a piece of this skin.

Marsha: Eww. That's gross.

Me: It's not too bad. Nate and I already did it.

Nate (who catches on quickly): Yeah. It kind of tasted good even. Like a potato chip, but limper.

Me: Come on Marsha, don't you want to be part of our club?

Marsha: Not if it means eating Nate's toe skin.

Me: But everybody's doing it.

Marsha: You guys both really ate a piece?

Nate: Of course. Matter of fact, I'm thinking about eating another in a minute here.

Marsha: Well...no. I can't. That's just too gross.

She leaves the room. And really great idea number two comes along. It is dinner soon. And I sit next to Marsha and put a piece of the skin in her food. She eats it, never suspecting a thing. After dinner, I walk up to Nate, say "Mission accomplished," and he just looses it. And then we're both laughing so hard. And the whole family wants in. "What's so funny?"

Nate: Well, Marsha, we need to tell you something....You've now joined the club.

Marsha (looking at her empty plate, then at me): No! You didn't!

Me: I'm sorry...it was just such a good idea.

Nate: But wait! There's more! Not only did you join the club, but, actually...you are the only member.

And then a spontaneous wrestling match breaks out between Marsha and me, which somehow evolves into a spontaneous dance-off. And all is well.