A Day in the Crazy Life: my ramblings and ravings about life...

A Lament

2009-06-22T22:37:00.003-04:00

You know it is time to make a change when you look in the mirror, at pictures, or at videos of yourself and want to puke! Too bad there are some things that I cannot change...

2009-05-10T21:06:00.002-04:00

So, now that I am on facebook I haven't even thought about this blog! I spend all my "extra" time (if there really is such a thing) searching through my friends' pages to see what they are up to now. It is such fun!!! In my life now things are still pretty much the same. School is winding down, thank goodness, and my AP students took their test Thursday, which means all that is left is the senior project focus. I HATE this time of year at school though because everyone gets so snippy about the job -- including me -- like the pay cut, the school board decisions, the summer workshops that we all HATE and are tried to be forced to attend every year, the students who you bend over backwards to help and who just quit trying to pass at all, and really just about everything else that happens.

May is a crazy month with birthdays, mother's day, special days at school like class day and yearbook day, beginning play practice, etc. AND Aida practices have been very fun, even for just music nights. I absolutely L-O-V-E the music for the show and have been waiting so long to do this one. The excitement of the new building just adds to the anticipation of it all too.

Things at the store are fine too; April was a slow month, but May seems to have picked up a little. I am very amazed at what some total strangers will say though. For instance, one lady visiting from another state asked my employee in the course of the conversation if she was from here, and when Kathy said yes this customer asked her if she was inbred. Personally, I was offended and it wasn't even me! I would have probably lost it, but Kathy was cool and still nice to the lady. Others just don't hesitate to say really offensive things -- it kind of reminds me of what some people will feel free to say to pregnant women. Geesh, people, THINK about what you say!!!! Other than that, most of the people who come in the store are extremely nice and I really enjoy owning and running it.

So, that is the run down on my crazy life; nothing much has changed but there you have it. Sorry about the rambling! :)

So excited about...

2009-04-16T21:00:00.002-04:00

Ai-da! Ai-da! Ai-ii-da! (I'm singing it in case you can't tell!) I have been waiting for this one for what? 2 years? Yay!!!!!!!!!! Oh, and I read Rachel's blog -- audition dance?! How come I know nothing about this?! Oh, Scot-ta.......????????? :)

No time yet...

2009-03-24T20:52:00.002-04:00

So the show has ended and it feels so weird to not see everyone every night...I miss the show because it really was a lot of fun (although I am thankful to not have to take 35 minutes just to put my whole costume on!). However, it still has not completely settled down for me because I have been frantically working on my National Boards every spare minute because the entries have to be completed and postmarked in exactly ONE WEEK! AAAAHHHH! I have procrastinated too long and then got too busy to do it like I should, so now I feel the crunch. Such is my life always!! Maybe after Tuesday I will be able to breathe and be at home and relax and get all rested for the next show (should I be cast in it :) )

KIDDO!!

2009-03-05T22:11:00.002-05:00

So my new employee is doing well -- she has jumped right in there (and thinks she owns the place, I think!) but she is one of those people who have the habit of calling everyone a pet name like honey, sweetie, sister, etc. The one that really got me, though, is when she called me kiddo. OK, she is a few years older than me but not by much, and I am her boss, so I can't really get my head around the fact that she referred to me as kiddo! :) She also feels the need to give me advice on what I should do or information on the vendors I have been dealing with for weeks like I have never met them. AH, well, at least she shows up, does her job, and I don't have to worry about it!

In my other life, Seussical is very fun. I am so tired (like everyone else right now) that I don't put forth all the energy that I need, but I really need the costume and the audience to feel like the character. I can't get over how many people are in the cast and on the stage and how much more crowded it will be when we all get out HUGE costumes on. I am afraid that some little children will die soon if they don't quit being so annoying...

I am still working on my National Board Certification, which has to be mailed by the 31st of THIS month -- YIKES!!!!!!!!!! I still have so much to do and not enough time to do it in! Once the show is over next week I will have to devote all my time to working on that. I may have to even do that instead of working at the store a few days.

I don't have any other life outside of these 3 things so that wraps up everything new with me. It is all fun and tiring and exciting and wonderful and crazy; that is the way life should be, I guess!

Another one bites the dust...

2009-02-08T21:47:00.003-05:00

Well, I have just hired my THIRD employee in 4 months. The best I can figure, I must be a terrible boss!!!! :) The first employee took a full-time job in her career that she had left a year and a half ago, so I can't blame her. The second was doing fine but gave her notice last week because "it just wasn't working out" -- whatever THAT means! She is in her 60s, and I think the whole retail and computer thing was all too much for her to grasp. So, yesterday I hired another woman who has been unemployeed for awhile now, so maybe she will be so happy to have ANY job that she will stay for awhile -- or at least until June when I don't have to worry about not being able to be there. I don't know this woman so that makes me really nervous too; I hope she is OK... Ah, the joys of owning a business!

Homesick

2009-01-12T20:15:00.002-05:00

North Carolina has been my home for 19 1/2 years now; this is where I met my husband 19
years ago; this is where my kids were born, where my husband and I had our homes together, where my beautiful NEW home is, where I have been for more than half my life. Why, oh, why am I feeling very homesick? It is not the obvious answer of warmer weather in Florida-- that never has entered my mind this last month. I am not quite sure what it is, but for the last month I have been weepy and depressed and very homesick. For about the 6th time in the last month I have suddenly realized that I am crying and have no explanation as to why. I am not so sure it is really for Florida at all, or even so much as for my family (although that is definitely part of it since I have missed spending the last 2 Christmases with them); instead, I think it might be more like nostalgia for a time in my life where I did not have responsibilities and had friends to hang out with almost every night. I long for that time where I could just laugh and hang out with people who know me and love me and be myself, with no worries. I really miss socializing with people and feel sad that I have very few people I can do that with anymore. I think I also miss feeling excited about life in general. Now don't get me wrong, I am not having a pity party for myself or anything -- I have wonderful friends! I just long to be 18 again, full of life, driving a fast/sporty little car instead of a minivan, nothing to worry about except what we will all do tomorrow night, riding along with the radio cranked up singing at the top of my lungs to some silly song (though I currently do that to some silly musical numbers), going to the beach or out in a boat for some adventure, staying up till early in the morning at friends' houses because we were up giggling most of the night or watching some silly movie (instead of thinking how I will NEVER get up in the morning if I don't fall asleep before 11:00!), and just all around having a good time. I feel like I am just going through the motions of life now, and my husband (wonderful as he is to me) doesn't understand because this is the only place he has ever had any roots. He moved around so much growing up that THIS is his home. I feel like I am caught between 2 worlds and 2 lives. I love my husband and kids and my friends now, but I am never silly anymore, my husband doesn't giggle with me or sing along at the top of his lungs (of course, that might be a good thing -- it IS kind of a scary thought now that I have said it!), that when I do something that is a little different I get weird looks from people around me, that my life is routine and most of the time mundane, and that I will never be able to go back to that time in my life where I feel spontaneous/silly/accepted/whatever. Alas, I guess this all comes with getting old and feeling old -- I DON'T LIKE IT!!!!

A blur...

2009-01-03T12:04:00.003-05:00

It is very true that the older you get the more quickly time passes. 2008 is really kind of a blur for me. I've read friends' blogs where each recapped the highlights or significant events of the last year, and I started thinking through the past year for me. Either I am really boring because nothing signifacant happened to me or I just can't remember anything -- another sign of old age, I'm afraid! 2008 seemed to fly by but at the same time, as I look back at it, I feel like January was forever ago. At the beginning of the year I was teaching school and waiting tables, I had a student teacher a couple of days a week, I started working on my National Board certification, I missed out on doing Cinderella, I started preparing for opening my store and suffered through the waiting and slow process of the building completion and lived with a store full of inventory in my house for many months, I celebrated 15 years of marriage, I got to yell a lot and hit people as Lucy in Charlie Brown, I got to see some old friends VERY briefly for a sad occassion, I had my first real accident when my car got rear-ended, I FINALLY moved into and opened the store, and the rest is more of the same. See? boring! Before Christmas I spoke to a girl that I used to be great friends with as a kid; she and I have not had any contact for at least 20 years, so when she called me out of the blue and we started catching up she kept asking me, "So, what have you DONE the last 20 years?" After I told her I got married, started teaching, had 2 kids, built a new house, and opened a store I had nothing else to say. She asked what I did in my spare time/for fun, and I told her I did plays a couple of times a year. She asked me what else I did, and I did not know what to say. I teach, I run the store, I do piles of dirty dishes and laundry, I play games with my kids, I grade way too many papers, I take my kids to gymnastics and sports practice, I try to make it to a few of my husband's baseball games, I go to play practice and performances, and I try to sleep 7 hours a night. There is no other time to do anything else; I guess that is what makes my life and the last year such a blur. It is fun all the same though! :)

OH NO!

2008-12-12T21:31:00.002-05:00

Only 12 more shopping days until Christmas, and I actually only have 2 since I will have to shop on Sunday afternoons! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! My tree isn't even up yet because I can't quite get the energy to pull all the stuff out. How can a season I love so much also be one I hate so much? I always feel so rushed to get shopping done in between Christmas programs, and now the store every night and Saturday, Avery's basketball, and Christmas parties and dinners, etc., etc., etc. It is all so fun and so tiring and so busy! I just have to keep reminding myself what it is really important.

Smile and Wave, boys...

2008-12-01T20:27:00.004-05:00

Even though I was a solid chunk of ice when it was all over, I had fun Sunday with several friends smiling, waving, and feliz navidad-ing. Here is a picture of me in my dress...

Just kidding! We all know that we would never use costumes like these as long as Scot-Ta is the boss! :)

It was quite fun riding beside my partner in crime -- Mr. Teen Wolf himself...if only we had remembered the rose everyone would have known who we were...

...and the best part of the whole day was eating hot pizza and enjoying the company of those friends I have not had the chance to see for a while! AAAHHHH! What fun!

Thankgiving

2008-11-26T09:43:00.002-05:00

With Thanksgiving being tomorrow, here are a few things I am thankful for...(NOT in order of importance to me)

I am thankful for Sundays since it is my only day "off" now, even though I am not able to rest most of the time.

I am thankful for a few more hours of sleep today and that I decided not to work at school today.

I am thankful for my friends who love and support me through all kinds of things.

I am thankful for ooey gooey cinnamon rolls that I make with my kids.

I am thankful for animated movies and for the chance to go see them and laugh with all the children in the theater.

I am thankful for goofy, fun people who keep blogs that make me crack up.

I am thankful for the health of my family.

I am thankful for my husband who has really stepped up in helping me now that the store is open and I am there all the time.

I am thankful for the student teacher I have had for the last 12 weeks, whose ability has allowed me to feel good about giving up my classes and being more flexible for the store's opening month.

I am thankful that my student teacher is now done and I get my classroom back Monday.

I am thankful for the friends I have had my whole life.

I am thankful for the friends I have made in the last 10 years.

I am thankful for my sisters and their love and support.

I am thankful for health and ability to work.

I am thankful that I have a warm coat and fuzzy socks that are helping me to keep warm in this FREEZING weather!

I am thankful that I do not have to fix dinner tomorrow!

I am thankful that our school system has a supplement now because I have some money to buy Christmas presents.

I am thankful for so many things and there is not enough room to write it all down. Make sure to tell the ones you love that you are thankful for them! Happy Turkey Day!

No time like the present...

2008-10-22T08:38:00.002-04:00

because I am always running to catch up to it! :) There is not enough time in the day to do ordinary things, let alone to do stuff for my 2 jobs! The store had a good first week and a good grand opening, but I am about dead right now because last Sunday was the only day off I have had in the last 16 days -- I worked 12-13 hour days a week ago Friday and Saturday and 6 hours of Sunday to get the store open, worked both jobs all last week, worked 10 hours last Saturday for the grand opening, and finally had Sunday to go to church and then try to catch up on grocery shopping, laundry, dirty dishes, house cleaning, etc. What a day off, huh?! It has been fun, though, and I would not change anything about it (except to have about 2 more hours of sleep each night!).

WOW!

2008-10-15T11:10:00.003-04:00

OK, now we have what I have been waiting for... WE ARE OPEN! The computer and boxes are out of my house finally and the store is open for business. I have worked about 54 hours over the last 5 days at the store, and with the wonderful help of my 2 sisters, my mom and dad, and my brother-in-law, we moved merchandise in Friday and opened on Monday. If you come in the store you will see what a tremendous task that truly was because we have SO much stuff! We have had really positive feedback from everyone (some little old ladies have left without saying anything at all, so it might not appeal to them :) ), and we have had pretty good days and traffic with no advertising other than a sign on the road. This Saturday will be our grand opening and we will have food for a donation going to the hospital's digital mammography machine to tie in with breast cancer awareness month (since we are going to focus on a different organization/charity every month and because it is fitting with my sister's history). Scot-Ta will be doing some music, the AM station will be doing a live remote, we will be raffling off a couple of gift certificates with the proceeds from that also going to the hospital, and lots of other goodies. Come and see!!! :)

REAL progress!

2008-10-08T19:31:00.003-04:00

The power is on, furniture has been moved in, and I plan to work like a dog all weekend to get it ready to open for business Monday!!! The following Saturday, hopefully, we'll do something kind of big as a grand opening. YIPPEE!!!!! Come shop, girls!

Well...

2008-10-06T22:28:00.002-04:00

we got clearance to occupy the store building now (CO), although the parking lot is not striped. I guess we just needed a handicapped sign on the building by the ramp at the end -- gee, that was hard!!! :/ I guess that is what has taken 3+ weeks to get! Sorry about my sarcasm, but it has been a REALLY long and frustrating wait since we were told we would be open by July 4th! Anyway...we hope to have power by Wednesday, phone by Thursday, and furniture in around the same time. I know we would love to open the doors Saturday, but I am not sure we will be ready -- MAYBE by Monday with a lot of people and a lot of hard work but DEFINITELY by the following weekend. I will definitely be posting that for sure!

Progress?! HA!

2008-09-25T17:24:00.003-04:00

Well, September 9th and 10th the parking lot was paved; now here it is September 25 and we still do not have the lot striped, which means we cannot get the final occupancy certificate. He says we should have it by the beginning of next week, but if this follows suit with the way everything has been going, we probably will get in in another 3 weeks. THAT's what I have learned through this process...1 week=3 weeks in CJ time. We are moving furniture in next Tuesday, though, regardless!!! :)

I can believe it...

2008-09-09T20:46:00.003-04:00

...because I have seen it -- the parking lot of the store was paved today (or at least half of it) with plans to finish it tomorrow. AAAHHH! PROGRESS!!!!!

What do you think?

2008-09-08T20:47:00.000-04:00

I was having a discussion the other day with someone about what the difference is between a FRIEND and an ACQUAINTANCE. How do you determine it? When does an acquaintance turn into a friend? Is it how you feel about that person or is it how he/she feels about you? Is it the amount of time you spend together or is it what you actually do during that time that makes the difference? I am really curious to know this because this person and I had completely different ideas about it, but I realized that I probably have people I would call "friend" that may not count me as such or that I do not really know all that well. According to this person's definition, I do not have many friends but a lot of acquaintances and that makes me very sad. What do you think? Leave me a comment and tell me what your definition is...

In my next life...

2008-09-03T22:46:00.000-04:00

I don't believe in reincarnation personally, but if I did, I would want to come back as a man -- or at least in my husband's role! What a life...

1 Week Down...

2008-08-30T16:12:00.000-04:00

...only 37 more weeks to go! :) I guess it really was not that bad for the first week of school -- especially since my student teacher took over 2 of my classes. And now I am regretting having to give up my AP class this year, even for just a little while, because I really like them. Oh well! That's the way THAT goes, to quote Linus.

Store Update

2008-08-29T08:42:00.000-04:00

Several people have asked me, so I will update on the store since we are obviously not open yet...

They installed my sink and toilet yesterday, so the contractors should now be finished completely with their stuff. My roll of carpet is there, but I was waiting to have it installed until all the workmen were done (now glad I did because it is one big mudhole after the last couple of days!). My alarm box is in, and hopefully he will finish installing the rest of the alarm equipment today. If we were only waiting on construction to be finished we could move in and open now; HOWEVER, the parking lot is not paved and I have no definite word on when it will be (it has to be in order to open for business), AND I just found out from the trim guy that we also can't get the CO until the store next to us does because of some issue with the power/transformer or something being connected. Don't you know I was happy about that -- especially because I heard it from someone OTHER than the landlord when he should have told me that long ago! Anyway, the other store is not finished inside -- half the baseboard is in, only the ceiling tiles along the edge have been installed, she has no plumbing fixtures in yet, and she has several extra lighting fixtures and electrical stuff going in because of the classroom full of sewing machines. Because of all of this, who knows?! The rate the contractor is moving, it could be ANOTHER month behind schedule!!!!! Can you sense my frustration?!

2008-08-18T21:16:00.000-04:00

Well, I am very sadly looking at the clock right now and realizing that it is 9:15 and I have to go to bed soon so I can get up early for SCHOOL tomorrow... WWWWWHHHHHAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (That was a Lucy wail in case you were wondering...) The end of summer vacation and back to the daily routine/grind -- ho hum!

Wish I knew how to post a picture from my phone...

2008-08-15T22:32:00.000-04:00

My brother-in-law brought a trailer up from FL this week of inventory stuff from the store down there; basically it amounted to about 25 boxes, though some were single boxes with a frame or a wall hanging. I had the task of opening each one and trying to match it up with the 12 different vendors recorded on 19 different invoices then entering each item in a different way than I have been entering information (basically 3 steps to the other 1 step), taking another step to printing price tags, and tagging each item, repacking it, and trying to keep it straight from those boxes not yet done -- all this in my living room and dining room. While I was in the process of sorting/tagging/etc. FedEx pulled up with 20 -- yes, 20 -- HUGE boxes from 4 other vendors. About 30 minutes after that, UPS delivered 5 more great big boxes. I called in reinforcements and my mom and brother-in-law came to the rescue to help me finish the FL boxes and get them out of my house so I could start the brand new stuff that had to be completely checked out and entered from scratch. I have an open floor plan in my house so the living/dining/kitchen is all one big room, really, and with all of these boxes, inventory, etc., you could not move in any of it. My house was a disaster with pesky white residue from packing peanuts all over and in the cracks of my wood floor. I really have learned to hate the delivery men!! (not really :) ) Hopefully we can have all this stuff out of my house by the end of the month because I am about to go crazy from the "clutter"!

YEAH!

2008-08-10T14:31:00.000-04:00

My favorite dancer all season long won!!!! Yippee! I am so glad and got an even bigger kick out of watching the finale here, my kids and niece watching it in Florida, and us calling each other at the announcement so we could all scream together for Joshua! Now what am I going to watch?!

Catching up...

2008-08-06T16:40:00.000-04:00

I had the unexpected opportunity to catch up with 2 of my best friends of my whole life; it was fun and nostalgic although the occassion was the sad one of a funeral. I miss being able to laugh hysterically at the silliest things and have others laughing with me. I miss having close friends that understand exactly what I am thinking without me having to say anything. I miss having someone who really KNOWS me and everything about me and loves me anyway. These girls and I have known each other for around 30 years and have been through everything together -- they are closer to me that my own sisters in some ways and I love them just as much. I feel the need to see them WAY more often that I have too, as well!!

2008-08-06T16:32:00.000-04:00

I am watching the days click off the calendar and feel so depressed that school is about to start and the store is SLOWLY dragging on and not open yet! I really needed the money and the store open before school started back to get my feel for running it myself before I asked anyone else to step in; now that hope is pretty much gone! Whoever I get to work there is going to have to be a self-starter in a lot of ways. Not to mention that I REALLY do not want to start school again. I just can't get in the mood to step back into my classroom and the roles that go along there; I do not want to have to get back to reading the same things, dealing with the same things, fretting about the same things, grading the same things, and so on and on and on! I love to sleep in until 8:30 or 9:00, have a clean house, wear casual clothes, read what I want to read, not be tired or stressed, spend all the time with the only kids I really want to (my own) and not have to rush everywhere. ALAS! 13 days and the real world is back in session!

All Done!

2008-07-15T19:00:00.001-04:00

One more show over and done with -- alas! I have to say, I did not enjoy this one as much at first, but I definitely had more fun once the show got an audience. I love MOST of the people in the cast (too bad you can't see my devilish grin here as I type the all caps :~} ) and I will miss giggling and gossiping and grimacing with them. However, I will NOT miss screaming on stage and stomping around or squating so much -- I feel like the character was rubbing off on me and my knees have also really rebelled! :) It is always loads of fun, and thanks to everyone for a good show!

Update

2008-07-08T23:50:00.000-04:00

Well, the store is about a month off schedule; it was originally slated to open this past weekend, but now they are telling us the first of August. UGH! I will just barely have enough time to get it running before I have to go back to school (which is really what the "UGH" is about, I think!) My husband is especially tired of having inventory all over the house waiting to be moved in to the store! If you know of anyone who would like to work Mon-Fri. about 10:00-4:00 and has the personality and creativity to work retail -- let me know!!! I am now in the process of trying to get that set up and have a person ready to start work when we open.

2008-07-08T23:37:00.000-04:00

(Apparently this is what I look like)

It is a funny thing about women, I guess -- we can know the truth about something and it is just fine for us to say it, but WOE to anyone else who says it. For instance, I know that I should not eat an ice cream cone because it goes straight to my already big butt, but I DO NOT need someone else telling me I don't need to eat one!

A Little Late...

2008-06-24T11:02:00.001-04:00

We celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary on Thursday; I can't believe it has been that long -- it seems like it was yesterday, and I still feel like I am 23 and married to my sweetheart! We had a very nice time going out for a quiet dinner and rented a movie that we actually got to watch in peace and quiet. I guess that is about as romantic as it gets after 15 years! Just kidding! It was very nice!!!

My Favorite Things...

2008-06-16T22:30:00.000-04:00

My favorite things about summer vacation are (in random order):

1. sleeping in (sometimes until 10:30 even!)
2. making breakfast with my kids
3. watching TV shows in the daytime that I never get to see
4. reading books that are NOT classics (or even considered literature!) that I can
finish in a few hours
5. getting so engrosed in said books that I stay up until 2:00 am reading in my
bathroom or by the light of the TV just to finish it
6. being able to play games with my kids on the floor for hours on end
7. going to the pool
8. NOT having to teach anything English to anyone at anytime
9. having clean dishes and clean laundry
10. not having to leave the house if I do not want to

WOOHOO!!!!

2008-06-10T16:46:00.000-04:00

"No more reading, no more books, no more students' dirty looks!!!"

I feel the Hallelujah Chorus welling up inside me as I type this! You ought to be glad you aren't here to listen to me shriek it!!!

Back in the saddle again...

2008-05-30T22:56:00.000-04:00

As play practice has begun for the summer show, I find myself enjoying being around my friends again and giggling at silly little things. People are funny -- especially those who love being on stage -- which makes for great fun! I missed it and am glad to be there again.

7 more school days...

2008-05-30T22:55:00.000-04:00

Not that I am counting or anything!!! :)

2008-05-22T11:28:00.000-04:00

OK, I know some of you probably have seen this, but I had not. Hearing this man sing and watching his demeanor moved me to tears! It is the clip from "Britain's Got Talent" where a shy cell phone salesman stuns everyone. I don't know why it affected me so other than it makes me ashamed that we judge people on first impressions and miss the beauty within. It is a good lesson for me today. Watch the clip: http://www.maniacworld.com/Phone-Salesman-Amazes-Crowd.html

BUSY WEEK!

2008-05-12T16:30:00.000-04:00

I am used to running 100 miles an hour with my pants on fire -- I live a very hectic and busy life, but this week was one of the most tiring. Here was my schedule:

Monday: I taught school all day, was home for 1 hour and 15 minutes -- long enough to clear out my car, pack my suitcase, pack my kids' lunches for the next 2 days, leave notes for my husband about pick up and drop off times, etc, load my car, and throw a load of clothes in the dryer. I then dropped my kids off at gymnastics and hit the road for Atlanta.

Tuesday: my sister and I hit the ground running at 6:45, trying to get as much of the 18 floors (about 30 stores on each floor) of the gift mart in. I literally made 10 trips to the car (consisting of going down to the 2nd floor, outside, up the elevator to the 3rd floor and up the far ramp to the car dragging 3 rolling suitcases full of stuff) to unload what we bought and going back up to pack more in the suitcases. Finally we stopped around 3:45 to sit (the only time all day) and have a soda and a snack. We then hit the temporary vendors until they closed at 6:30. We got back to the hotel, got 2 luggage carts and 3 bell boys to help us carry everything to the room so we could inventory it and account for the money spent. We went to the club room for appetizer-type stuff for dinner and back to the room to finish inventorying. We finally hit the beds about 10:30.

Wednesday: we started all over again around 7:00, this time I only made 6 trips to the car. We actually got to eat lunch, and we finished about 3:00. We went back to the hotel, inventoried what we bought, and loaded my car (with every available space taken up). I hit the road around 4:30 to come back home. I pulled in my driveway at 7:10, unloaded my car, left at 7:40 to go to choir practice, went to the grocery story at 8:45, went to my classroom to drop off the food and drinks for Thursday's AP class, and got home at 10:00. I then packed my kids' lunches, threw a load of laundry on, and crashed.

Thursday: my AP students had their test today, so I was at school by 7:45 to set up the food and drinks for them and to wish them good luck before the test. I taught all day, dropped my daughter off, took my son to gymnastics at 4:30, and went to work at the restaurant. I got home at 8:45 and did my usual nightly routine of lunches and laundry.

Friday: I taught all day and went to work at 3:30 at the restaurant. I got home at 9:30, did the dishes that were all over the counter and sink, and crashed finally about 11:00.

Saturday: I had to take my daughter to get a birthday present for a party she had and fax some info to my sister, so I got up and got ready for work, was at school at 9:15 to fax the stuff, went to Wal-Mart to get a present, was back at my house at 10:15 to drop my kids off, and headed to work at 10:30. I worked at the gem show until 4:30, left, and went to the restaurant at 5:00 and got home at 9:45. I took a long, hot bath and crashed because I could hardly walk!!!!

I know everyone has busy lives and lots of stuff going on, but I think I am getting too old for all this running. I don't think my legs and feet have EVER been this tired!

Yet another reason I need to quit my job!

2008-04-29T11:54:00.000-04:00

The following is an excerpt from http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880422154

Jackson, Macon schools work toward teacher health
Jordan Schrader • jschrade@gannett.com
• published April 23, 2008 12:15 am

RALEIGH – Educators in Jackson and Macon county schools and two other North Carolina school districts will be greeted with a weigh-in when they return from summer vacation this August.
District employees will be tested for body mass index, the presence of nicotine, blood pressure and blood sugar levels as part of a pilot program announced Tuesday...

____________________________________________________________________

Did anyone read this article?! I know that some people might say it is a good thing, but I have no desire to weigh in with my colleagues, know what they weigh, and/or have them know what I weigh! I am upset that this is not a voluntary thing and that the teachers were not even asked about participating in this. I learned of it when someone forwarded the link to me -- doesn't that just sound typical of this school system and administration! "S-U-R-E- let's dictate what our employees will do; my word is the law and I can humiliate and demand anything I want to and they can't do anything about it!"

I get on the scale all the time, know that I do not weigh what I should, know that I would probably feel a whole lot better if I lost some weight, but also know that I have been trying, and my mid-to-late 30 year old metabolism is almost non-existent -- and I really do not need someone keeping track of it for me, thank you very much!

IT IS FINALLY HERE!

2008-04-18T10:35:00.000-04:00

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! That is the sound of me waking up after finally getting to sleep late on a weekday. It is finally time for a few days off for spring break -- as short as it is and as crazy as the schedule is, I am just glad to have a few days off to relax during the day so I can work at night without being so wiped out. AND it means that there is only 30 or so days of school left when we return, so maybe I can make it through the last grading period!

Thought for the day...

2008-04-10T16:05:00.001-04:00

If you are in the grocery store in line behind someone, wait for them to finish paying and walk away BEFORE you walk up to the little check writing stand/credit card machine, etc.

I HATE HATE HATE it when the person behind me crowds up to me while I am paying or waiting for the cashier to even finish scanning my groceries. I am convinced that 1/2 the people here do this because it seems that every time I go to the store this happens, and it DRIVES ME CRAZY!!!!!!!! Don't rush me, people! -- and have some manners!

Catching Up

2008-04-09T19:30:00.001-04:00

OK, so I just heard from a girl who was one of my great friends in high school, whom I have not really talked to in several years. That conversation has done 2 things:

1. It has made me thankful for my life and for the good health and blessings on it; and
2. It has made me feel very sad that I have been left out of the get-togethers and updates

I found out that one of my friends lost her husband to cancer and her mother in the last 2 years, another friend's mom had a transplant, another has gotten divorced, found out that the 3 girls I was great friends with in school all get together and spend vacations together and go to functions for each others' kids, etc. (even though they live in different states) while I have not even received Christmas cards, emails, updates, or anything. I have sent cards, emails, etc., but most were returned to me. Maybe I should take the hint and realize they just don't like me and/or have forgotten me and/or are mad at me for something! The fact is I would have been at the funerals and would have loved to get in touch when I go home, etc. I miss having friends to do stuff with and feel left out and isolated from my former life. Oh well, I guess that is all part of growing up!

2008-04-09T19:12:00.000-04:00

Praise God from whom all blessings flow...

This is the view from our front porch; I feel blessed every evening (that I actually get to be at home anyway) as I watch the sun go down!

Amazing and Inspiring

2008-04-08T11:43:00.000-04:00

I followed a link from my friends blog to this amazing site; this couple is so inspiring! It is a truly fabulous blog written by a young man whose wife has Cystic Fibrosis. I started reading and was hooked. I go back everyday and get the update on their story. The short version: they have been married a couple of years, she just had a baby but because of her disease her body was in such a weakened condition that complications arose and she had the baby prematurely, and she just had a double lung transplant. There are beautiful pictures of all of them -- amazing pictures of the little baby hooked up to all kinds of tubes and next to a stuffed animal to show her actual size -- and awe-inspiring words and raw emotions surrounding the whole situation. This family is believing and thanking God for this situation and the lives it has allowed them to touch, and they all are faithfully and prayerfully dealing with the situation. I cried the whole time I read the blog, and I could barely tear myself away from reading it. I do not know if anyone will link to it off of this blog, but I put it there for me to keep updated on her reaction and progress after the transplant. It also has some links to sites about CF, premature births, organ donation, and donating money to these foundations. I think this family is just precious, and I have added them to my prayer list daily. If you haven't seen it, check it out here or from my favorite links, and please add them to your prayer list as well.

2008-03-20T11:31:00.000-04:00

Well, Cinderella was great -- very entertaining! It was funny and sweet, and the best part was listening to the little girls behind me who were amazed at everything, who loved Cinderella's voice, who laughed hysterically at Rachel (so much so that they even sounded a lot like Rachel! :) ), who "ooh"ed and "aah"ed at the lit up carriage and the transformation, who were dressed like Cinderella in their little blue dresses and bows, etc.

With that said, I have to also add that I HATED being in the audience!! I did not like walking in the front doors, sitting in the yucky and uncomfortable FHS auditorium seats, or anything else about watching the play! Of course, it was NOT because any of it was awful -- I just would much rather be on the stage and be one of the people doing the entertaining. I found that I am not an objective audience member either; no matter how hard I tried, I could not see the characters, only the people who played them. I found myself thinking about what the cast would have made jokes at; I could see Scotty's touch all over the play, and I tried to figure out all the way through what was actually written in the script and what he added; I spent the whole night, in short, placing myself at rehearsals in my mind and knowing what was said and done and laughed at and worked on forever and what key phrases were used (liked "fromp, fromp" and "fooshie-fooshie," "trot, trot, trot," and "pod" and all the others!). It all made me feel very sad and left out; I decided that if I was ever unable to do a play again I would not be able to go see it either!!

OK, all that aside, congratulations wonderful cast! You made me proud and did a great job!

Friends are friends forever...

2008-03-11T23:05:00.000-04:00

I just found out that one of my best friends has a blog as well; mostly she posts about her mom's illness and radiation treatments. But I accidentally came across the blog and was filled with such nostalgia for my hometown and long-time friends. I have lots of wonderful friends here, but there is something so sweet and special about having people in your life for ALL of your life who know you as well as you know yourself and with whom you do not have to say a word to know exactly what the other is thinking -- even after not spending time with them in YEARS! I have a couple of friends like that -- we have been best of friends since we were about 5 years old (Yes, that was a LONG time ago) and have been through fights, boyfriend problems, sickness, family crisis and death, laughter, stress, driving mishaps and police stops, scavenger hunts, home appliance malfunctions, beach escapades, more laughter, and all sorts of things in between. What I really miss is the laughter! My best memories involve Paula and Anita and silliness, pure and simple. There is probably not one thing that would be funny to anyone else but they bring tears to my eyes and a smile to my face just thinking about those times! I wish I had friends like that here; I love all of my friends so much, but I do not think there is REALLY one person here who knows exactly who I am, what I like, what I think, etc. -- not even my husband, and that makes me a little sad. I guess as adults we get so wrapped up in our jobs, families, hobbies, etc. that we just come to adapt to one identity; at least that is what I feel like sometimes. Some time ago I guess I stopped being Kathi and became my kids' mom, my husband's wife, the teacher, the person in the plays, the person in the choir who sings occassionally, and whatever else I am. I feel a little lost sometimes as just me. I thank God, though, for the wonderful friends He has given me, both from many moons ago to those I am just beginning to know.

2008-03-10T21:21:00.000-04:00

I just wasted a few more minutes looking at other people's blogs, and I feel so out of touch and sad that I am not in any of those pictures or even know what the characters are really saying!! I really miss being in Cinderella -- not because I have nothing else to do and am sitting home bored, but because I really miss hanging out with the people in the cast, going to Shoney's at closing time, laughing at the little quirks and sayings of the director and others in the cast, finding the littlest things funny, getting all nervous before going on stage, knowing everybody else's lines and songs except my own, being back stage and quoting the lines with the actors on stage, the pre-show meetings with everyone, hearing the audience laugh the first night and know that all the work was completely worth the effort, seeing all the costume and characters gradually come to life during tech week and dress rehearsals, and so much more! I can't wait to see the show -- I know it will be great and, in the words of OMT, "magical"! Break a leg, everyone! You will be GREAT!!

2008-03-10T21:12:00.000-04:00

There are many parts of my job that I like, but there seem to be more and more that I dislike. One thing that I never thought I would say in my life is that I really have come to hate reading! I love to read, but I am so tired of reading books to teach in the future, reading things that I am currently teaching, reading essays, reading tests, reading research papers, reading AP tests, reading supplemental works to go along with what we are reading, and reading, reading, reading. I think that is why I haven't checked my blog and posted for so long -- I really do not want to read another thing. The only reason I am on the computer right now is that I am avoiding reading 3 sets of essays, a very long test with all "short" answer questions, and a set of first drafts of research papers. Luckily, my classes are small this time, so it really only amounts to about 60 papers total, but I still can't work up enough energy and desire to even start. I then feel guilty that I am being lazy, but I just feel like crying when I think about grading them!!!!!

And again...

2008-03-10T21:11:00.000-04:00

WOW! I really have to stop starting my blogs with "It's been a long time!"

It's Been a LONG time!

2008-01-31T11:15:00.001-05:00

Wow! I had not realized that it is now going on February and I have not even been on my own site for almost 2 months! December was a crazy month with Christmas and such, January has gone in a blink with snowdays, final exams, getting ready for new classes, starting new classes, birthdays, working 4 nights a week, etc. WHEW!

Anyway, I am still alive, I am still busy, and I am still enjoying my house. I, however, am sorely missing play practice and the people involved; I have never NOT done a show by choice, and I am very sad that I am unable to do this one. It is still for the best, I know, and I can't wait to see the magic from the audience's perspective! It will be GREAT!

2007-12-13T12:24:00.001-05:00

OK! The last thing on our house (or at least the last big thing that we had paid for and we were waiting to have done) is now completed!!! Our driveway is now paved and is SO much better than spinning my wheels and having to back down the hill. Now people can actually drive up to my front door to visit!! Hallelujah and Merry Christmas! It may be the only thing we will get for Christmas, and may not mean as much to my kids as a new toy, but it is still wonderful! :)

Also, I will have more pictures coming soon since several people have said they have been waiting for them.

2007-11-29T10:28:00.000-05:00

I have a couple of friends right now who are going through some really difficult family problems, and as I find myself thinking and praying for them daily I have been thinking about a few things:

First, people are going to disappoint you. It is inevitable, I guess. The ones we care about the most can inflict the most pain by breaking our hearts. It makes me scared sometimes to think about the possibility that I could wake up one day and things could be completely turned upside down. I guess that is when faith kicks in and you learn to depend on God.

Second, everyone is going to face something tough. I have lived in a relatively peaceful little bubble my whole life; I have had family members affected by illness, but not me personally so far. I have had grandparents and distant relatives die, but not unexpectedly or those that had a profound effect on me. I have been thinking lately that I seem to be waiting for the other shoe to drop -- that I am living as though I am expecting something bad to happen to me because nothing really has yet. I do not know if this is a good way to live or not -- it has made me take each moment more seriously, but I think it is a little morbid too.

Third, forgiveness is not impossible but it is very difficult. As much as I hate to admit it, I sometimes hold on to hurt feelings -- I may not always show it on the outside, but I feel it on the inside. I do not hold grudges, but I do not let go of wounded feelings. However, I have a couple of people that I really admire that I have seen be emotionally devastated by someone and still go on to forgive and continue to love that person. I think about one that I know whose spouse was having an affair. Me, I would want to kill my husband and other woman, I would want to see them punished, I would want to nurse my wounded heart by wallowing in self-pity and tears, I would be suspicious and would say the marriage is over because I cannot get past the hurt. However, I think of my friend who wears a smile most days and who is working very hard to keep the marriage together through counseling and forgiveness. My friend is an inspiration to me about the love of God and the way we are supposed to be and how I fall short of that.

I guess we should all be thankful for what we do have as long as we have them, but realize that life is short and nothing is forever except God. I think that just might change the way I live and the value I place on certain things.

Christmas Music

2007-11-29T10:24:00.001-05:00

I love the message of Christmas and I love certain songs on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. BUT does anyone else get annoyed at the high soprano-screeching songs or the fact that they play Christmas music on Thanksgiving? I don't want to take away from the meaning of Christ's birth and the songs that glorify that or the funny songs that make me laugh (like the Little Drummer Boy Next Door) when they are played near Christmas, but come on -- it is still November!!!!

AAAAHHHHHH!

2007-11-15T08:15:00.000-05:00

I know officers have a job to do, and I understand that they can't trust many people to be telling the truth...BUT...my tag was apparently expired and I never got my notice apparently because they do not forward those. WOW! It would have helped if I had known that before I got a ticket for it. I explained that we were living temporarily somewhere and that I only got my permanent address 2 weeks ago and that I was trying to avoid changing my driver's license twice, but that did not matter. NNNNOOOOOO... I now have a nice little ticket in my purse. Of course, now that I KNEW that it was expired I immediately had everything changed -- my license, my registration, my property tax mailing address, etc. A little too late, I guess. Bummer!

2007-11-07T11:50:00.001-05:00

Well, we have been in our house for a week and 5 days; it still does not seem real at times, but it is all wonderful! I love not driving way out into Egypt to get home -- instead I can be home in 7 minutes from about anywhere in town; I love waking up and looking at the fog rolling over the mountains; I love having so much room in my kitchen(!); I love driving home at night and seeing the windows lit up; and basically I love living there. I feel like I have been waiting for this forever, and now I finally get to enjoy the results! I am just waiting now for the time that I can go home and relax instead of painting, hanging curtains, unpacking boxes, etc., but it is all good!

Rants and Raves

2007-10-23T22:35:00.001-04:00

We have a section in our local paper for people to vent and not have to be accoutable for what they say; I absolutley HATE reading them because they usually make me mad, but I decided I am going to have my own section anyway. I guess I can't make myself too mad~

RAVES:

I love the really talented and fun people I do the shows with; everyone works hard and brings such unique and individual personalities to every show.
I like my classes this year; the students in them are fun to have in class.
My kids are sweet and wonderful!
I love it when people aren't afraid to stand up to individuals who do nothing but try to complain and stir up trouble. I wish I could do that instead of running to avoid an argument.
I love people who are genuinely nice and kind people. (I feel like I should burst into a Barbara Streisand song here...Oh, help me please!!!)
I love music -- all kinds of music!
I love Dr. Pepper -- way too much right now. I think I am addicted to it in order to stay awake, so I guess that is not a good thing, but I love it anyway!
I think it is fun to get costumes for my kids for Halloween and see them get all excited about dressing up and having fun. I also like to raid their candy for any Reese's cups or Whoppers, or Milk Duds
I love my refrigerator and am so excited about it -- and my washer and dryer too! I can't wait to use them all!!!! (I think I am really sick now that I realize that I just said that! It is very true though!)
I love really hot bubble baths with NO interruptions (even though I have not had one in 10 years!)
I love a really good neck and back massage -- I really need one desperately but can't afford one.

RANTS:

I hate it when people talk out of both sides of their mouths to appease all sides instead of making a stand -- especially when that person is in an authoritative position, like a boss or a SUPERvisor who INTENDs to run an organization of ANTS.
I hate useless, meaningless meetings that last all day and are pointless and take up valuable time and energy
I really hate people who try to impose their own ideas on others and try to make decisions for everyone else based on their own tastes, etc.
I hate people who are so closed-minded that they cannot see past their own viewpoint -- and also those who hold a grudge and can't let things go. I mean, get over yourself already!!!!! Now it just sounds like sour grapes!
I hate it when people sit and stare at themselves, sing to themselves, make faces at themselves, etc. in the mirror backstage during a show
I hate getting my feet wet in the rain -- or worse yet, getting the back of my pant cuffs wet
I dislike alarm clocks and having to get up when it is dark outside (and also those people who are chipper in the morning! Something is really wrong with them. I mean, who can be in a good mood when it is dark, cold, and people should still be under the nice warm covers?!)
I really dislike it when people think they know you and try to judge you based on their own negativity (-- I am NOT a jealous person who is so petty and selfish that I can't be appreciative, supportive, and proud of very talented people who work very hard to be absolutely great at what they do and I AM a person who loves to watch and listen to really talented people do what they do best!)
I hate it when my husband drinks all the milk the day I buy the gallon at the store
I hate scrubbing toilets! ICK!!!

New Pictures

2007-10-23T22:27:00.000-04:00

New appliances, floor, furniture, and stairs...

Now the fun begins...

2007-10-20T14:33:00.000-04:00

Well, we got our certificate of occupancy, which means we can officially move in any time we want and that everything becomes permanent -- our morgage, our insurance, our electric bill, our address, etc.

I have my kitchen stuff washed and put away and a couple of pieces of furniture in, but there is still so much to move. I guess it will be another week or 2 before we actually get to call it home, especially with school during the day. It is getting there though! Hooray!

Let there be light!

2007-10-01T22:35:00.001-04:00

Yeah! The power company got us hooked up today, my air will be on tomorrow, my carpet is supposed to be installed in a week, and my hardwood floors should go in last after that. Maybe in 2 1/2 weeks we should be able to move in completely! YIPPEE!!!!!

WAITING....still

2007-09-29T11:48:00.000-04:00

An update for those who are very sweetly keeping up with our house progress...

We are waiting for the power company to hook us up -- when they do, we will have power and water. Then I can finish painting the touch-up spots and see where I have missed. Once the power (and air) is on, we will bring the hardwood in to climatize before we lay it.

We are waiting for my railing on my stairs to be completed -- there have been a few gliches with its progress, the latest one being that the last box of spindle-things were the wrong ones. All is done except for first landing of the stairs, and that should be done in about 3 days.

We found out we need risers on our basement stairs in order to get our CO, so my husband is working on that.

We are waiting for the carpet layer to call us back with the final measurements so we can pick up our carpet and get that installed.

That is all. We are so close, though, that it is getting REALLY hard to wait anymore. This little place we are living in is SO small right now we are about to kill each other!!!!!!

Have you ever...

2007-09-26T22:03:00.000-04:00

Have you ever been so tired that you drive the wrong way trying to get home?

Have you ever been so tired that you fell asleep when you walked in the door, walked to your bed, and fell over -- shoes and all?

Have you ever been so tired that you ...what was I saying?...wait, I was talking about beinhg tified, wasnt'tn i> i thinkg id ;four got..................................................................

updates again

2007-09-08T09:56:00.000-04:00

Here are few new pictures of my countertop, kitchen, etc...

2007-09-05T16:04:00.000-04:00

I have a lot of flaws, I know, but one thing I can say is that I am truly happy for other people when something good happens to them. If someone gets a nice new car or a great new job or something they have wanted desperately I am truly thrilled to see them get it. I would not begrudge anyone nice things, especially my friends, because I only want the best for them. I guess that is why my feelings are hurt by my friends who have said mean things or acted jealous about our new house. We are excited about it, but in no way is it a competition to see who can have something better or "one up" somebody else. We have waited and saved and planned every aspect of this house for a very long time to get what we are able to have now, but we feel like we can't even ask our friends over to our house now because they might say more mean things or accuse us of stealing their ideas/colors or roll their eyes or whatever. I have learned who my true friends are and who are really jealous people who care more about things than feelings of those they call friend.

My cabinets

2007-08-19T22:17:00.000-04:00

My cabinets are in; here are some pictures... The brown is my kitchen and the lighter is my bathroom. I included one of my tub , shower, and bathroom floor as well; didn't my handy dandy husband do a good job?!

I'll post more pictures soon -- especially when my counter tops are installed.

This looks into the laundry room to our pantry and a utility closet
My bathroom (it is kind of hard to see here, I know)

House updates

2007-08-17T14:01:00.000-04:00

My shower is finished (and is BEAUTIFUL!), I have all the rooms painted except for my room, my tongue/groove ceiling is almost finished, my cabinets will be delivered and installed Sunday and Monday, my bathroom floor will be grouted probably tomorrow, my stair guys will start working hopefully this next week, and my countertops should be installed by the end of next week. WOW! A lot has been done this week. My lighting and plumbing fixtures should be ready to be installed next week as well, so that leaves the air conditioning units being set and then the flooring. Once the fixtures, stairs, and air are in then we can get our CO; apparently we do not need flooring to get that. Everything looks good to be in by the end of September...YEAH!

What's New?

2007-08-06T22:10:00.000-04:00

Well, it has been a busy couple of weeks -- I now have my laundry room, daughter's room, son's room, kitchen, and most of my dining room painted (including the trim -- or most of it, anyway). My mama is busy painting doors, windows and baseboards for me while I am busy climbing up and down the latter and rolling all of the walls. It is coming along... Meanwhile, my husband is busy laying tile, so my laundry room is completely finished (paint, trim, and tile), the kid's bathroom has finished tile and I plan to paint that this week so it will be done and ready for cabinets, my shower is well underway, and tomorrow my 1/2 bath and master tub top will be tiled. We are trying to get everything done for our cabinets to be installed in about a week or so. It is SO exicting to see it all coming together now; I am really eager to see the kitchen cabinets and countertops because that and my walk-in shower are my 2 favorite things in the house.

On top of working at the house in the heat and humidity all day long, I have started filling in at a restaurant waiting tables to earn some extra money. I haven't waited tables in years, but I definitely enjoy this place so much more than the last one I worked at!!!! It is a lot less stressful and a lot more fun! I worked at a country club before so everything had to be just right and it was all very formal. I like being able to just be myself, to know a lot of the people I am serving, and to not have the manager correcting every little thing (like the fact that you put the plate down from the wrong side of the customer or that you refilled the cup on the wrong side). Here it is really laid back and fun. I hope he lets me stay on and work even more!

I am sore, aching, tired, cramped, swollen, and hurting and I am loving every minute of it!!!!!!!

Who Wants to be a Superhero

2007-07-25T21:52:00.001-04:00

It's BAAACCCKKK! The ever cheesy and hysterical Stan Lee show is back for a second season, believe it or not. FUNNY!! I especially like the superhero wannabe who uses his sweat as a weapon and the one who uses the cleaning supplies to defeat the evil wall of funk! I feel another show night coming on!! :) I think it starts tomorrow night -- Oh, Scooottttyyyy...

check out the site...
http://www.scifi.com/superhero/

Who needs sleep?

2007-07-18T14:50:00.000-04:00

I am running on about 3 hours of sleep today; I couldn't settle down last night and finally fell asleep around 5:30 this morning. Thinking of bills, paint, decorations, husband being gone, kids (and dog) crowding me in the bed, more bills, what comes next in the house, how it will all fall in line, what I will teach in AP next year, how I feel like I failed some of my AP kids because they did not do better on their test, what I plan to do differently, how I really can't wait to do Annie Get Your Gun, how I really need to find a job, how disappointed and hurt I am that my business venture seems to be out the window and has put me in the stressful situation, how I really am tired and want to go to sleep, etc. Whew! I makes to me tired to relive it!!!!

Choices

2007-07-14T14:29:00.000-04:00

I have to make a very difficult choice; do I do what I love or do I do what is going to be most beneficial? It kind of sounds easy when put like that. I absolutely love doing the musicals; in fact, I almost live for it and do not know what to do with myself if I am not doing a play. However, building this house is causing me to stress about whether or not we can make the payments; therefore, I feel like I need to get a second job. If I get another job then I will have to work evenings when school starts back and that would make the 7:00 play practices impossible for me to do. I do not want to take away the time I spend with my kids in the summer or the time that I am home in the school year AND I do not want to miss being a part of the fall show, yet I can't sleep at night for worrying about having enough money. As it is, we can't get any of the new furniture to put in the house that we wanted. I guess it should be a no-brainer, but that does not make it any easier!

House

2007-07-09T14:44:00.000-04:00

I love the view from my porch!

Well, the outside of the house is painted and drywall is being finished today; maybe next week I can start painting the inside so I won't have to do it when the flooring and cabinetry is in.

Pets

2007-07-08T23:25:00.000-04:00

I am so sad because our kitty cat is missing; he has been gone for a couple of days. The worst thing about it is seeing my daughter so upset every time we open the door. The cat is hers and she is heartbroken and afraid that something happened to the cat. It is one thing to deal with the loss of a pet yourself, but it is entirely different and MUCH harder to see your children hurting and not be able to do anything about it! I am so hoping that he is just off roaming aroung looking for a girlfriend and that he will come back very soon -- I miss his little face and his sweet purring.

Little Things That Make Me Happy

2007-07-06T17:59:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I picked out the countertops for my new house, and the one for my kitchen makes me so happy!! I have been so worried about getting the right one to match the colors that I want to use and that will bring everything together; I have actually been losing sleep because my husband kept putting it off and I was afraid of not being able to find the right thing. BUT... now it is done and I only have to worry about it turning out right now! :) It is such an insignificant thing, but it makes me so happy.

10 Other little things that make me feel full of happiness:

1. sitting on my new deck watching the sunset
2. my children kissing my cheek and telling me they love me
3. seeing a silly kids movie and listening to a little boy in the back say "Wow! That was quite an adventure!" after the rat went down a sewer waterfall
4. my little dog curled up behind me on the couch with his head over on my shoulder trying to lick my ear
5. no dirty dishes in my sink to wash
6. getting the news that the AP audit syllabus that I worked on for 3 months at school last semester passed
7. having actual walls up in my house instead of just studs
8. Enntemen's devil's food cake donuts with the crumbs and powdered sugar on top and a tall glass of milk
9. Dr. Pepper
10. my husband actually being home before 5:00 today (instead of 8-9:00 that it has been since school let out)

I like finding happiness in little things!

Happy 4th of July

2007-07-04T10:04:00.000-04:00

I love 4th of July! I love the fireworks, I love that I can spend it with my family usually, I love that people here wear red/white/blue, and I especially love the freedom we have in this country! I weep during the National Anthem and "God Bless America" and everytime someone honors the veterans. I am so thankful that I live in America, and even with all of its faults, it is still a wonderful country and I am proud to be an American.

I love this article and the spirit of America that is shows:

http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Jul04/0,4670,ODDStarSpangledDiner,00.html

Have a great Independence Day and remember to thank a veteran!

Families...

2007-07-02T23:44:00.000-04:00

I wonder if everybody thinks the same way about his/her place in the family. I feel like the failure in my family and the one on the outside. My sisters are beautiful, stylish, successful, smart, talented, well-liked, well-off, and great at everything they do. Then there is me... I am not good at much, average and plain, overweight and struggling with it, one of the lowest paid professionals, without many close friends to hang out with, etc. I know they look at me and wonder how I came to be in the family; maybe they were right all those years ago when they teased me and told me I was really adopted.

Building a house

2007-06-30T10:50:00.000-04:00

To add to the craziness of my life, we are building a house. Everyone we talked to about it beforehand said how stressful it was and how it would strain our marriage and how they would never do it again. I have to say, though, after being 4 months into the process, it has not been bad at all. We had a great contractor for the framing,a lot of dry weather when we needed it, and great subs who showed up when they were supposed to and did great work. Of course, my husband has been at the house 5 or 6 days a week for 10-11 hours a day or more for the last 3 weeks, so he might have something different to say about the stress! The worst part is trying to make all the decisions without having the actual items to match and compare; I really would love to be able to take a door from my kitchen cabinets to match up with counter tops, or a piece of my hardwood floor to take to match up with my tile, etc. Better yet, I wish I lived in a town where there was 1 place or 1 person to help me with all the selections. We hope we are a couple of months away, and I can't wait. The little place we are all squeezing into right now gets smaller by the day!

Summer Vacation

2007-06-30T10:42:00.000-04:00

The best thing about being a teacher:

SUMMER VACATION! I love being able to sleep until 9:00 or so, go to the pool with my kids if I want, being able to keep up with my dirty dishes and dirty laundry for at least a little while, and having the time to read and develop new units to teach in the fall. Alas! August soon approaches. I guess I better get out and enjoy summer while it is here.