After a lot of nagging (a LOT!), Molly, who just moved to Missouri, finally got a blog. Woohoo!
The girl needed a blog. She's a wonderful writer, takes great photographs, just moved away from home, and has to live with some of my extended family. She's in the running for sainthood in my book.
Now, to help her beautify her blog. I'm already planning to "show" her how to get a flickr badge, Haloscan comments, and a better template.
So please, swing by, oogle her furbabies and welcome her to blogging.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
We're back to our "normal" lives. LMK is working. I'm subbing for him on Thursday afternoon. I have an interview on Friday for a job in small county. The job is actually at the school I can virtually see from our front yard. It's literally down the street from us. I'm going in hoping for the best. I really like what I've heard about Large County, but a 30-45 minute commute does not fair well against a 30-45 second commute. I like the administration at the school so that is another big plus.
In other news, I have my fingerprints, I just need to take them down to the board office along with a check for $37. Forgive me if I'm being a bit cheap. I had a set of prints done for The School and they took care of whatever fees needed paid. Not only will Small County not accept The School's record, they want me to pay additional money. I'm a sub - money doesn't just grow on trees for us!
My plans for the rest of today include catching up on the shows I have DVR'd, playing with my newest toy (my electronic portfolio is going to be bitchin'), and perhaps making a movie for my cousin's daughters. I have great video of Wild Middle Child shoveling in berries and peaches while making fruit pizza. So cute.
Lucy riding shotgun with me in the golf cart.We're home.
The boys met us at the door. It's nice to be missed.
I spent yesterday with my cousin's two oldest daughters. We had a great time. We made pillow dogs for lunch, vegetable and fruit pizza for dinner, punch, gak, sponge animals, drawings, colored eggs, made mugs, strung candy necklaces, and door hangers. 153 pictures/videos later...
We had dinner with the whole family and I got to play with the youngest daughter. I'm glad to be home.
But I miss my family...and Lucy.
The auction of the farm stuff is this coming weekend. Not sad about missing that.
We made it to West Virginia a day early. Woooo. Actually, it's not that bad. The drive is long and there are several big mountains to climb, but the scenery is gorgeous. I've found my future home. It's a gorgeous log cabin located on top of a mountain. You can see it for miles and miles and miles. Finally, all of a sudden, you round a corner and - BAM! there it is on top of the mountain you're driving by. Not a great winter home, but I bet the view is amazing.
In other news, I'm less itchy. MUCH less itchy. The meds are still making me neurotic - hyper (I don't sleep much) and I always feel hungry. However, according to the scale today at the SuperMegaMart, I've lost over 20 pounds since we moved. I scoffed all the way to the car about how "off" the scale was. Oh, perchance to dream, that it was actually accurate.
Today I cleaned out my car. It really needed it. I still need to get it washed, but I didn't want to waste time doing it today since it will be parked outside the rest of the time we are here and it's supposed to rain. I vacuumed the interior, emptied the trash, organized the maps (of which we have way too many), and cleaned the dash. My in-laws Armor-All must be stale or something. I remember is smelling kinda icky, but this stuff? It's awful. It smells like a sweaty construction worker sat in my car with his equally sweaty donkey. It's disgusting. I tried Febreezing - it didn't work. Must pick up an air freshner tomorrow when we go shopping.
Lastly, my mother-in-law is truly a Martha Stewart wanna-be. Everything is always neat as a pin and smellin fresh. Our bedroom is so fragrant I have to unplug the horrible air freshner at night just to be able to breathe. However, I can say I have seen it all.
She has an air freshner...in the garage! The garage!
Every day, I come to post and I can't think of anything. Don't you hate posts that start out that way? So, just so I feel better, a bulleted list:
- The squirrel that sat on the power lines watching the bird feeder as we mounted it to the deck has succeeded in emptying the feeder. Razzafrazzin squirrel! Not to worry though, Socks has made it his mission to watch that squirrel. As we speak, he sitting in front of the sliding glass door staring at him.
- Soccer season has begun. Husband? What husband? They've got a record number of girls signed up this year. 33! Last year they had 14. I would hope LMK is part of the huge sign up. However, in those 33 there are girls that want to play on the US National team someday as well as girls that have never touched a soccer ball before. This ought to be a great learning experience for LMK. This is not college where all that matters is winning. Boy, is that a relief.
- My ankle is still sore, but it's getting a little better every day. I'm hoping by next week to be able to resume my indoor walking. Heck, if it continues to warm up, I may grab LMK and do a lap around the block. Once the weather improves, I'm hoping to do more walking. Even with the huge hill we'd have to walk up/down things are within walking distance. I'd love to be able to walk into town and see a movie. They just have to get half decent movies!
- LMK and I saw Because I Said So two weeks ago. It was really enjoyable! Our first movie since...geez, since I saw The Devil Wears Prada with Twin. We really need to start going to the movies more often. I love movies.
- I'm trying to get the office somewhat organized. Right now, I'm sorting through old bills. I'm thinking I can get rid of all our old bills from Ohio, right? I might save one copy of each, just in case we move back someday. Ok...I'll hold on to them for a few more years, then pitch them, too.
- I am dog sitting in April! Dog sitting is my third favorite type of sitting, right behind baby and cat. One of the other teacher's is going away for the weekend and all the teachers have parent-teacher conferences. So, I volunteered! I'm very excited as I miss Lucy. I need some puppy love. Her dog is a black lab/Great Dane mix. Holy moses, I'm horse sitting!
- Anyone know of a good program to "test" paint colors? Since we live in school housing, the President has to approve most cosmetic changes and additions. I want to demonstrate what the rooms will look like when finished. I had planned to just used the fill function in Paint Shop, but the colors are too cartoony. They scare even me.
- I'm an M&M!
I have the best cousins ever.
Molly, my cousin-in-law, is one of my very best friends. She's taking online classes to get a business degree. I definitely miss seeing her on a daily basis. I have no one to get into trouble with here!
Mo Mom is also taking online education classes to get her associate's degree. Both LMK and I have been helping her when she needs it since online learning can be really tricky. She's also got three little girls to keep track of so she's juggling a lot of balls. They're in Missouri, so we don't get to see them too often.
Anyway, today I received the following in the mail:
I admit, I got a little misty at the thought of finally getting to use these in my classroom. Of course, I can't actually use them. I must save them. Mo Mom has ordered me to use them so that someday I can get new ones. I have one word for her:
Laminator
They're just so neat! How could I use them!?
So the basketball games weren't that bad. Of course, I remember now why I don't care for basketball.
#1 - There's nothing to cheer about. Ideally, one team scores then bam, the other team scores. In sports like soccer, scoring doesn't happen all that often.
Well, except for that one game last season, remember that one, LMK?
#2 - Squeaky shoes. Oh, how I hate squeaky shoes. And please, tell me why some players insist on licking their hands and wiping off the bottom of their shoes. EWW! I don't care if you're able to stick to the ceiling after you've done that - it's gross!
We...well, I also met several of LMK's colleagues/big wig's at the school. Everyone was incredibly nice and friendly. It really does feel like a huge extended family. Personally, I really like a working environment like that. Yes, families have squabbles from time to time, but for the most part, everyone pulls together and takes care of one another. That's how I was raised and I do well in that type of environment. It was definitely NOT the type of working environment LMK and Head Coach had/have at The College. I think even LMK would agree while we miss the girls and Head Coach, we do not miss the working environment.
This afternoon I'm running my application to the town schools. I'm hoping to finish the year out at least subbing (long term subbing would be even better) and then get something permanent for next year. Whether it be here a in Larger City. I'm almost leaning toward Larger City with it's half hour commute because they're getting a new elementary school and I'd LOVE to work in a new school.
We'll see!
P.S. Did everyone see that David Beckham has signed with the L.A. Galaxy, a MLS team? Hopefully this will jumpstart soccer in the U.S. Common........Women's MLS!
We're on pins and needles over here, people. PINS AND NEEDLES! Nothing today regarding Lawn Mower King's interview this weekend. Well, I guess that isn't entirely truthful. He had a fifteen minute converstation with the head of the math department. Whether that's good or bad, we have no clue. He said they want to make a decision before the dean gets back from vacation (end of the week). We're hoping it will be tomorrow like the head of the school said. You haven't uncrossed anything yet, have you?
I did find out that the town we may be moving to (knock on wood) does offer a "relocation packet". I'm forcing myself to wait to request one until we actually decide to move there. But! How helpful! Gotta love those Virginians.
I began my two week job as a Title 1 teacher. I love the woman I'm subbing for. She left me a present! How sweet is that? She had surgery today and cannot be around kids for at least two weeks (totally understandable - they cough and sneeze all over you). When I went in so she could show me where everything was she kept saying things like, "Here are the reading take home books for the rest of the year -- just in case I never come back." WHAT!?
However, I do not love her schedule. She has bus duty twice a day. Did I mention it was only 20 degrees today? They don't make appropriate school clothes that warm. Brrrrr!
LMK and I really want him to get this job. Reallllly. He's pretty shocked because I am just as excited about it as he is. Me! The person who only months ago would totally shut down at the idea of a move.
Where do I begin?
The hotel. The school put us up in a Hampton Inn. I'm a simple girl, really. I don't need a big fancy hotel room. Holy heck, they've "redone" the Hampton Inns. They're wonderful! Even Twin would approve because their linens are laundered every day. I loved, loved, loved the comforter....excuse me, duvet. It was so fluffly that you sink into it and oh brother, was it warm. I definitely need one of those.
The school. It's beautiful! It sits over one hundred acres on the highest point in town. You can see everything! Everyone we met at the school is so nice. The head of the school was really great. Since it is a boarding school, LMK would have a lot more responsibilities than a regular teachining position. We're both ok with that.
(view from one side of the school)The housing. The school provides houses for their staff to use should they need somewhere to stay. The only thing they have currently available is a four bedroom house, with a porch, fenced in backyard, sunroom, garage, and wood burning fireplace in the living room. The backyard was the selling point. It means we can bring Lucy with us. I was really concerned about where she was going to live if we move. (I got a little sniffly on the way home because I was so relieved) Even though it isn't rent free, we saw the same house (4 bedroom, backyard, etc) adveertised in the rental book we picked up for twice the price. It's definitely a deal!
Please, everyone keep your fingers, toes, eyes, etc crossed for us, send good karma, keep us in your prayers - whatever you believe. We should know something by Tuesday. While you're crossing/praying, think of me and hope that I can pick up a job in town too. That would make this move truly perfect.
So! Lawn Mower King has a job interview on Saturday.
In Virginia.
For a job that starts next month.
Holy mother of pearl.
The banquet is Sunday so we'll be huffing it back home Saturday night in order to make it to the banquet. I'm thinking of renting a car since it will only cost me $70 for the weekend. It's hard to beat that price. Plus, it would save all that wear and tear on our car.
Oh my god...we're going to Virginia tomorrow. Is it weird that it will be like going home?
Yesterday, my cousin spent the day removing all the fence posts around the farm. Sunday was spent cutting down the apple trees. It's really a wonder I haven't had a breakdown. Anyway, Molly pops on IM this morning to tell me the following story. Everything in ( ) are our comments.
Her husband (my cousin) was pulling fence posts and taking down fence yesterday... and this lady pulls up and stops in the road and rolls down her window.
The crazy woman (CW) says, "What are you doing?" (really cocky).
He says, "Taking down fence" (duh)
CW: "What are you taking down the fence for?"
Cousin: "Because I don't need the fence anymore"
CW: "Well, we are NOT going to let YOU ruin THIS side of the road like you ruined the other side. So, you can just stop what you are doing right now"
My cousin just ignores her.
CW: "Are you taking down that fence so they can dig over here? Because we will put a stop to it and what you are doing - Just like we put a stop to you trying to put the asphalt plant up"
Me (to Molly): Call the cops...we got a crazy on the loose
By this point - he has lost all patience and says "No, don't worry, they aren't going to dig over here. Someone from Michigan is planning on putting a NASCAR track in here, so you don't need to worry" and went and got back in the skid loader to continue pulling posts.
Hello, police station? We've got a crazy on the loose!
Have I mentioned they're putting in an asphalt plant? Yeah. Great.
They had a big town meeting about it last month. My dad, uncle, and cousin all went. Lawn Mower King stayed home, because frankly, he's a former mining engineer - he knew what was going to happen. He's been to these things before. Anyway, he and I are figuring they'll have another one of these "appease the community" meetings and then they'll build the plant. They don't care.
However, at the meeting there were several people with facts (ok, ok, they printed their "facts" from the internet) and most of the community is against the plant. They went around and had people sign petitions. They sent out flyers about it. Here's the thing. We (my aunt and uncle, my parents, and Molly) haven't seen anything about these petitions or flyers. Nothing.
I can understand my parents and my uncle - they are the ones that leased the land to them (not the land for the plant, mind you). But LMK and I? We're not part of this. In fact, my grandfather was really against it. His house and the land it sits on are not part of the lease. We're not on the quarry's "take". If they want a huge supporter, HELLO! MY life is changing. MY home is changing. They shine 4 - 1,000 watt bulbs in MY front window until 11 o'clock at night.
But anyway...now we're somewhat worried about nails being put in our driveways and such, because frankly, that woman sounds cray-zeeeee.
I love my grandmother's side of the family. I really do. Well...except for the fact that they reproduce like bunnies so there's always a bunch of new babies to oogle and I reallllllly want one of my own.
We walked into the party, greeted my uncle, wished him Happy Birthday and moved out of the way so others could come in. My mom's favorite cousins came over. Everyone hugs. There are no handshakes. Everyone knows Lawn Mower King, yet none of them have actually met him before. (I swear they have flashcards and study up) LMK spent a half hour talking to my cousin from Minnesota. Her son (a month younger than me) plays soccer and had dreams of playing MLS. So they talked soccer for a while...while my eyes glazed over.
And I didn't sneak off with any babies. Don't get me wrong. I tried.