Cleaning Lady .. That's Me **

As a part time job, I clean houses. I used to clean with my Aunt Karen, but she has recently decided to do her insurance job full time. When we were cleaning together we had 8 houses to clean. My aunt decided to keep 2 of the easier ones, until her insurance sales go up. So that left me with 6 houses. These are not small houses, by any stretch of the imagination. They are all occupied by families, where only the dad works. The mom stays at home with their kids all day, and we come to clean their homes every other week. Don't get me wrong I am by no means complaining.

We were charging $40 an hour, so 2 hour houses (which is almost all of them) were paying $80. So, I decided to just charge people the same that they were being charged previously. That way when I am doing the job of two people and its taking me about twice as long (sometimes less), it won't cost them any more. I found this to be reasonable.

I just started to clean these houses on my own last week. After I finished the first house, the woman approached me and said, "I have been talking to some of my friends and they said they have people that will clean their house for $20 an hour. It took you 3 hours, so thats about $27 an hour and that's kind of high. My husband and I are looking to cut back, and we know we can get it for cheaper, so.." So I said, that I understand and she said if I want to do it for $20 I can, but if not she's going to find someone else. I told her that I will think about it and get back to her. As a side note, this ladies husband is NEVER home, because he is always traveling with work. She does not work. How much do they honestly need to cut back?

Another lady scheduled me to come tomorrow morning, called me today and said that her and her husband are rethinking and they need to cut back. So, she decides this the day before I am supposed to be there and cancels. They have this huge, beautiful home and she only works, because her kids are grown and she has nothing to do during the days any more. She doesn't need to work.

Both of these ladies know that I am a college student, paying my own way through college, not that it is their problem. But you (at least I) would think that, couples that are that well off would be willing to help a young girl make it through. Especially because they both acknowledged that point and apologized for not being able to help me out. And not only will it be costing them a little more, but they know that I am trustworthy and that I do a good job. If they go to anyone else, they will have a different lady there every time, and who knows how they will do and what they make take when they go.

The other houses I have been to have been great! Very understanding and easy to work for!

But am I really being unreasonable?

Raven's First Bath

Miss Raven got her first bath a couple days ago .. and she LOVES it ! She loves swimming, baths, putting her head in the shower and liking the water, while I am showering ! It' a good thing she is such a good dog :)

Vegas BayBee **

On July 30th Doc Boz, her husband Jim, Aunt KK and Uncle Eric, mom and dad, Jason and I left for Las Vegas ! We had 3 separate flights .. Doc Boz and Jim left at 8 and got to Vegas at 1030. KK and Eric left at 630 went to Dallas and had plane trouble so were there for a couple hours .. before getting on another flight and got to Vegas around 3.

The rest of us left at 12 and flew to Chicago .. where we were on an overbooked plane and didn't get on .. originally they were offering a $300 bump .. and since we involuntarily didn't get on we were offered two options .. $130 cash or $198 voucher .. we were not happy .. at all but took the cash. We got to vegas around 5 .. We were going down the escalator to get my moms suitcase .. and I saw a sign that said Happy 21st Birthday Kaitlin ! My group had surprised me and got a limo !

So, we all got in and rode around for awhile went to a bar and got our picture taken in front of the Vegas sign .. then he took us to the hotel !

When we got to the hotel, my mom did some negotiating and got the 4 of us a suite ! Holla !

It was 1500 square feet and we stayed in Ballys .. pretty nice .. it has a bar and 3 toilets .. but only one shower :/ All in all it was pretty darn good :)

The rest of the pictures are pretty self explanatory .. so I'll just comment as I see needed .

Dinner the first in the Flamingo !

Jason and me in Caesars Palace .. Really incredible place !

Jason and I walked down to the Stratosphere .. longest freaking walk ever .. It was 112 degrees and a 2 mile walk .. I was burning up and had blisters on my feet :( But it was totally worth it to ride the rides and the view was outstanding !

That night we went to Imperial Palace and the dealers there dress up as famous people, and then perform .. it was really neat, but this was the only good picture that I got .. Michael Jackson .. kind of scary though :/

Since I had all those blisters from walking to the Stratosphere .. I chose to walk home barefoot that night and this was the result :/

Jason and I went to Margaritaville to eat lunch on Sunday around noon .. we had just gotten our food and these sirens started going off .. next thing we know, we were asked to calmly evacuate through the front door .. this was the crowd, come to find out the kitchen had caught on fire .. everyone hung around for about 10 minutes then started leaving .. some carrying plates or glasses with their drinks in them .. we stayed for about 30 minutes and had no updates, so finally we just left .. so that was the beginning to our lucky day !

Then we were walking around with everyone else and came upon this man painted in gold .. to get him to move, you have to put money in his box .. good thinking ! It was awesome and he motioned for me to go up by him .. and me being the shy chicken that I am .. almost didn't go .. but I did and he acted like he was kissing me ! Then he gave me these 2 passes to win $2,000,000 .. I was tempted to just throw them away, but since it was so hot out I decided to take them in and use them ..

I gave one to Jason and we had to walk all over Planet Hollywood to get players cards, then find the HUGE slot machine .. we each got one spin .. I went first and got .. nothing ! Then Jason went and got 3 7's .. she said, "Congratulations, you won $50 in free slot play." Then we had to go find the lady to hook us up with that .. she explained the rules and we went and found a machine. Sat down .. went back and forth between $1 bets and $3 bets at a $1 machine .. won $12.00, $10.00, $20.00 then with 9 credits left Jason hit max bet ($3) and we hit $200.00 !

We decided to go back and thank all those involved .. then went back to the man in gold and gave him a generous tip and thank him as well !

The fountain at the Bellagio .. soooo neat !

All in all we had a great trip .. I love Las Vegas and my new goal is to move there .. at least for a little while !