So, today has not been the best day. The basement has water in it again and it smells. I sent LMK an email and told him I have had it. It's ridiculous that this is an ongoing problem. I want it fixed. If it weren't for having to pack everything up, I swear I would move home. (I'm having a melodramatic day...it will pass.)
Being the wonderful husband that LMK is, he immediately called maintenance and started planning for me to go home. I don't necessarily want to go home, I just want things to be better. I'm hot, which is never good and I'm emotional (for at least another few days). 90% of the time I love living here, but 10% I just want my friends and my family. It's getting better though.
Finally, Socks is on Mommy's bad list. He loves to get doors open that are closed. He does it to closets, he does it to the door to the attic, he does it to the bedrooms we have shut off. It's like a personal challenge to him. After the maintenance guys left, I went upstairs to piddle. I talked to Molly for a few minutes and then heard a door slam. I looked out the window and saw that maintenance was back. Great! I went downstairs to pretend to be interested and saw this when I hit the landing:
Oh no.
There wasn't a cat in sight. I ran to put on some shoes and went outside. I went out and looked out in the backyard from the porch. No kitties. "Here kitty, kitty," I called softly so as not to scare them if they were outside. No kitties.
I went back into the house and went around to the kitchen to go outside, as I was stepping out onto the back steps I saw Ollie slinking around terrified. Ollie thinks he's a big, bad kitty. However, when he gets outside, he freaks. All he wants to do is figure out how to get back IN. I opened the backdoor and called softly, "Here kitty, kitty." Ollie saw me standing in the doorway and I think his first instinct was to run. However, he figured out he could get back in through that door. I stepped out of the way and he came running back inside. One down, two to go.
I secured the door (I checked this time) and set off looking for Socks. First, I went into the backyard. No kitty. Then I looked under the porch. Lo and behold, in the furthest corner from me was Socks sitting on a cement block. "Here kitty, kitty," I called softly. Socks looked at me with a look that clearly said, "Hey, I know I'm in trouble. There is no way I am coming to you." He sat on the block for a few more minutes (seemed like hours to me while I was figuring out if I should crawl under the porch to get him, stay put, go get LMK, etc). Then he started out from under the porch toward the front yard and the neighbor's house. Of course, I can't get to the front of the house from where I am, it's fenced off. I high tailed it around to the front of the house where I met him coming out from under the porch. "Here kitty, kitty," I called again. Being the big dumb goober he is, he came to me so I could pet him. At which time, I clamped a hand around his neck and hauled him into my arms.
By then I was sweaty and cranky. The kitties? Oh they think they're big and bad.
Well, we made it through our first Parent's Weekend! More accurately, LMK made it through. I really didn't have that much to deal with for the weekend. Just one hour of "duty" (babysitting) at the middle school on Saturday. LMK is the one that had to get through parent conferences, NHS inductions, and various dedications at the school. I even got to watch a little of Friday's competition. (I have some video if anyone wants to see it.)
In other news, I think LMK and I have some stalkers. There are two of his players that I really like. After their win on Thursday, they walked up to our car with us. Then Saturday at the middle school, we ran into them again. That evening LMK and I took a walk around campus. Most of the parents were gone and campus was quiet. As we passed in front of the girl's dorms we hear, "Hi Mr.!"
Yep, it's them.
Yesterday, we stopped in the grocery store to get some cash. Who should we see... Poor LMK. He continues walking when we hear, "Hi Mrs.! Hi Mr.!" We stopped and chatted a few minutes and then continued on our way.
Good thing they're good kids and we both like them. Otherwise, I'd be hiding out.
Next week will be better, right?
I'm bringing LMK some lunch this afternoon. He can't wear his Hokie wear at The School, but I can.
LMK won his game last night. Yaaay! He was so excited. The girls were so excited. It was a good win for them.
This weekend is Parent's Weekend, so we're going to be super busy.
Don't forget. Moment of silence today at noon.
I am subbing today for the first time in Small County. I'm excited and terrified. I'm also glad that I will be out of the house and unable to focus on the news and media. My heart and my thoughts are in Blacksburg, but I will not stop living because of one crazy person.
I clicked on the webcam last night to see if I would be able to view the vigil. The picture is what I what I saw. It's sadly beautiful.
LMK is doing better. He's wearing his Hokie tie.
Last night, I decided I needed to do something...so I did this.
Someone finally sent me Nikki Giovanni's poem.
We are sad today and we will be sad for quite awhile. We are not moving on, we are embracing our mourning.
We are Virginia Tech.
We are strong enough to know when to cry and sad enough to know we must laugh again.
We are Virginia Tech.
We do not understand this tragedy. We know we did not deserve it but neither does a child in Africa dying of AIDS, but neither do the invisible children walking the night to avoid being captured by a rogue army. Neither does the baby elephant watching his community be devastated for ivory; neither does the Appalachian infant killed in the middle of the night in his crib in the home his father built with his own hands being run over by a boulder because the land was destabilized. No one deserves a tragedy.
We are Virginia Tech.
The Hokier Nation embraces our own with open heart and hands to those who offer their hearts and minds. We are strong and brave and innocent and unafraid. We are better than we think, not quite what we want to be. We are alive to the imagination and the possibility we will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears, through all this sadness.
We are the Hokies.
We will prevail, we will prevail.
We are Virginia Tech. "
As in many households across the world, our home has been filled with talk of the shootings at Virginia Tech. As names of the fatalities trickle out, LMK and I check the list for people he knew/worked with or had while he was at Virginia Tech. So far, he knows 2.
I watched the Convocation over the internet today while I subbed for LMK. The entire situation is surreal. I'm looking for a copy of the poem Nikki Giovanni wrote and read at the end of the ceremony. (Search for We Are Virginia Tech) After a little searching, I found the footage on Fox News. Ms. Giovanni's poem was perfect in my opinion. I don't think I was the only one who got chills when all of Cassell began chanting, "Let's go, Hokies!" As Ms. Giovanni said, "We will prevail".
At a teacher message board I frequent, one poster is railing against the administration's handling of the situation. As much as statements like these sadden me, they infuriate me even more. Could it have been handled better, certainly. Were mistakes made, probably. However, no one thinks it will happen to them. Looking back, we see signs we didn't see before because we KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR.
It's so hard to describe Virginia Tech to someone who has never been to the school. It's a huge school with 26,000 students. Huge. However, I never felt like I was attending a huge school. My department was small and very close. LMK's department was smaller than mine and even more close knit. We never felt unsafe. The worst thing you had to worry about was someone flying around the drillfield when you stepped out to cross the street. I never worried about my safety or LMK's safety. Now, to have that sense of safety shattered so violently has thrust us both into shock. Things like this don't happen in Blackburg.
Another thought I have been struggling with is the reports of a professor that died trying to protect his students. What a wonderful man he must have been. As a teacher, I find myself wondering if I would do the same thing for my future students. The truth is, I don't know. Would I die so that they may live? I hate that I don't immediately say yes. LMK would. He's just that kind of guy. But me? I can't say that I would. Does that make me a bad person? A selfish person?
I read this this morning and she describes what I cannot describe so well."When you go to Tech, it’s in your blood. I think of the kind of camaraderie and the pride -- they call it “hokie pride.” It sounds corny, but it is how proud the students are of their school."
But I’m really hopeful because out of the worst tragedy, you watch people rise up. And it will happen on the campus of Virginia Tech.
"
Those students will rise up. I’ll bet on that."
Last night, I put out our Virginia Tech flags. I'll wear my maroon and orange and I'll know - they really do match.We are Hokies. We are strong. We Are Virginia Tech!
Oh. My. God.
I lived in West AJ my freshman year. LMK's department was located in the building next to Norris. He had all kinds of classes in Norris.
The reality of how lucky we are sets in from time to time. The whole situation makes me ill. What kind of world do we live in?
I'm afraid the administration is going to have some hard questions asked of them when this is over. Two separate shooting incidents in one year. They better get a handle on this quickly.
Please keep all the students on campus in your thoughts.
**Updated to add: 30 reported fatalities. LMK called at lunch and I burst into tears. How can people be so awful.
Not thinking about what is going on at home today. LMK has had enough excitement over the past day or so that a calm weekend is looking great.
I'm working on a movie for Mo Mom's girls (a.k.a. my cousins). It's lots of fun. Ever want to have a giggle, talk to a child. Don't just talk. LISTEN to them. I've spent the afternoon laughing and giggling at all the funny things these kids do and say. Makes me want to teach even more.
Definitely thinking of getting a Mac someday. I love computers for making movies, making webpages, and uploading digital pictures....why DON'T I have a mac?
And it's not JUST because Little Brother got this, but that's part of it.
I just got home from my interview with Small County. Knock on wood, I think it went well. It's one of the few interviews I can look back on and say, you know, I didn't say anything stupid, I didn't have an idiot moment, or a foot in mouth moment. Whether or not a job comes from this, I am pleased with the way my interview skills are developing. I am no longer a bumbling fool. That alone is worth a big woohoo!
In other we-don't-talk-about-it news, tomorrow is the auction of the farm. They're selling all the tractors, farm equipment, etc. All of my cousins are coming in (or are in) from Missouri. My aunt and Mo Mom are excited - it's all about them. Me? I'm severely bummed. I can only imagine how hard tomorrow is going to be on my mom and my uncle. 100 years of farming and now, it's gone. Okay...enough of that. Happy thoughts, happy thoughts.
Damn, it just occured to me that I didn't ask when I would hear whether I got the job or not. Damnit!
Normally, I don't do a FOAD. Life's too short and all of that. However, an event that happened this past Sunday definitely warrants a FOAD of epic proportions (at least for me).
First, FOAD to Martin's. I accept responsibility for being in the express lane with more than my share of allotted items. I'm the devil, I'm going to hell. HOWEVER, I do no apologize for not seeing the tiny, partially illuminated, sign that was obscured by "Pick of the Week" balloons. Move the balloons and hang a frickin' sign above the checkout lane like every other grocery store.
Secondly, a big, huge FOAD to the asshole behind us in line. Once I realized my mistake I began to apologize profusely and offered to reload my cart and move to another check out lane. The clerk was very nice and said that wouldn't be necessary and that the sign WAS hard to see (see above).
You, however, couldn't let it go.
Yes, I understand that it's Murphy's law that you end up behind me in the grocery line when you're "just trying to buy your lunch." I apologized, not once, but several times. Furthermore, I don't care when you "learned to read" and the implication that I cannot read really pisses me off.
I made a mistake, it happens. I'm sorry I'm not as perfect as you are, asshole. However, the next time you decide to berate me in line at the grocery store, I will NOT give LMK The Look in order to silence him. I will let him tell you off and ruin not only my day, but hopefully your day as well.
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.
6:30 A.M. - The first of the gravel truck start rumbling by to get in line to be loaded.
6:33 A.M. - Give up trying to ignore them, get up and close window.
6:34 A.M. - Crawl back in bed as another gravel truck rumbles by.
6:37 A.M. - Turn over and squinch eyes shut. Must sleep. Cheese plate today.
6:42 A.M. - Officially cannot sleep. Begin planning what to do with A3 when they arrive Friday.
6:51 A.M. - Hear Dad downstairs having coughing fit.
6:55 A.M. - Gravel trucks start rumbling back down the road taking their first load of the day to wherever they take them.
6:58 A.M. - Turn over again and count slowly down from 100. Sleepy time.
7:05 A.M. - Alarm on one of the dozers goes off. Wee ooo wee ooo wee ooo. Damnit!
7:13 A.M. - Have planned several different activities - many more than I have time for. Maybe we'll stop at Michael's on the way home today and check what they have for kids to make.
7:22 A.M. - Car zooms past.
7:26 A.M. - Hear LMK snoring somewhere in the distance.
7:35 A.M. - Recycling truck rumbles up, air brakes hissing.
I need to go home to the city where it's quiet, in order to sleep.
That's the best way to describe how I feel.
I'm home...but this isn't my home anymore.
I miss my parents, but there's nothing here for me anymore. Jobs are non-existent or dead end.
We moved for the right reasons. It was the right thing to do. Change is good, but it's still difficult.
More when I get home. Enjoy your week everyone!
Happy birthday Charlotte!
Five Minutes for Mom is giving away a Dyson vacuum! Boy, it would be a nice one to have upstairs, instead of lugging our huge vacuum up and down the steps constantly.
Go sign up - good luck!
Tomorrow we're heading to Ohio. Woohoo! Maybe then all my weird dreams will stop. Anyone know the significance if you can't open your eyes in a dream? I still do stuff, I just can't keep my eyes open.
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!
I apologize for my lack of posting lately. I've been itching.
About two weeks ago I started getting a rash on my legs. I took some wonderful allergy medicine (how I love that pink and white pill) but the rash began to spread. So by the middle of last week, I was literally going insane. Being itchy is one thing that will seriously send me off the deep end. So I made an appointment with the doctor for Friday. Friday morning, they called to tell me my doctor wasn't coming in. Would I like to see another doctor? HELL YES! Usually I don't like the unfamiliar but I was so miserable I decided to I could deal with a new doctor.
So far, I really like the new doctor. He's soft spoken and answers all my questions. I think I like him better than the doctor we had been seeing. He looked at the rash on my legs and said, "Boy...that looks angry." Uh, yeah! And itchy as all get out. I racked my brain for things I've changed recently. I switched a medicine about a month and a half ago because our insurance requires us to try a different medicine first (what a crock). I also switched laundry detergent when we moved, 3 months ago. We've carefully ruled out all these possibilities. The doctor gave me an antibiotic and told me to stop taking the new medicine. He also did a biopsy of the rash and sent to to be tested. HE CUT A CHUNK OF MY LEG OUT! I have stitches! Stitches!
Well, I took my antibiotic and I still itched. In fact, the rash spread. Sure, parts of it cleared up some, but it was getting bigger. The pink and white pills were barely taking the edge off the itching, but the doctor didn't really suggest anything else for me to do. I took a LOT of baking soda baths.
Yesterday, I went back to see the doctor to find out what the lab report suggested. It was vague, like he thought it would be. They think it's a reaction to a med. Dangit! Then I started thinking about it. I take 3 medications every day. One I had to switch because the insurance required me to try this other medicine first. The other I switched in January because I had been taking it and a water pill, now I have the pill that includes the water pill (I take one pill instead of 2). The last one I switched almost 2 months ago to generic (once again, our insurance wants generic covered first). So I told him, now that I think about it. I've fiddled with all my medications in the past 3 months.
Great.
He put me on prednisone which should fix the problem (he says). Of course, my mom was on the med when she had her allergic reaction. It will raise my blood sugar, so I'll have to be careful. He said it will make me feel hungry - great just what I need. It could also make me irritable - how will LMK know? Finally, it could make me hyper. Hehehe, oh LMK is in for a great spring break.
Spring break starts today at 4. Woohoo! We're going to West Virginia for a few days next week. Then it's back here for an interview with Large County on the 31st. After which we will immediately head to Ohio! Have I said woohoo?
We had an exciting weekend.
Friday, I went to the doctor because my rash was still itching and still getting worse. He was as stumped as I was about what had caused this rash. He did a biopsy (ow) and gave me some antibiotics. I go back to see him on Thursday and hopefully he'll know more. Meanwhile, I'm still itchy. It waxes and wanes, but generally, I itch.
Friday evening we set out for Richmond. Of course, at the time it was alternating between sleeting and snowing - making the roads lots of fun to be on. However, we took our time and made it to Richmond in 3 hours. Only a half hour longer than it should have taken. Our hotel was right downtown, only 6 or 7 blocks from the convention center. LMK and I discussed it and decided that since the weather on Saturday was supposed to be very cold and I was planning to wear a skirt that we would get up early and drive to the convention center instead of walk.
Then we went off in search of food. We had no idea where we were going, so eventually we ended up back at the hotel. Around this time, I was getting VERY, VERY itchy. Of course, I had forgotten my Cortisone cream. We checked the phone book, located the nearest Wal-Mart and set out. We drove and drove and drove. No Wally World. Finally, LMK spotted a Target. Hooray! Target! I like Target better anyway. I got some cream and we started back to get dinner. I chose Panera and LMK chose Wendy's. LMK was tired and ready to go home, he would have picked anything at that point. We got our food to go and went back to the hotel. We ate and LMK called for a 6AM wake-up call. Me? I was still itchy. Finally at 11 o'clock I fell asleep.
At 4:30 our phone rang. WTF!? "This is your wake-up call." LMK called the front desk to see what was going on and we decided that some wonderful hotel guest had called our room to prank us. Grrr. We tossed and turned for a few more hours until our real wake-up call came.
We arrived at the convention center at 7:30 and we were able to pack in an adjacent parking garage. Hooray! We checked into the Teach-In and waited until the booths opened. I visited 6 surrounding school districts. Two weren't conducting interviews. Small County had sent the man I had interviewed with for subbing. He asked if I had all my paperwork in and essentially sent me on my way. Gee, thanks. I'm consistently underwhelmed by Small County, but I digress. I interviewed with two districts. One is where a friend of mine teaches. The other is Large County. I am in love with large county. I want to work there.
LMK was able to meet with licensure specialists and figure out exactly what he needs to do to get his teaching license. He also met with two universities a local one and the only one (Go Hokies!). He wandered around the booths while I was interviewing wearing his polo from The School. Wouldn't you know it, the man from Small County tried to recruit him! "Are you happy at The School?" They don't give me the time of day, but LMK is in high demand.
Grrrrrr.
I subbed and the high schoolers didn't emotionally scar me. Woohoo!
I also went to Substitute "Inservice" for Small County today. Oy vey. I basically sat in the room with 8 parents from around the district and watched a movie on Classroom Management and Instruction. Dude! My college education, in thirty-five minutes. Score! I must call home and tell my mother how they wasted all their money sending me to college.
I even found a way not to jump over the table and strangle the HR guy when he used anecdotes to tell us about "stupid things subs do." That took a lot of self-restraint.
Over the past few months, I've been adjusting to life in Virginia. People talk funny. Everything is in English and Spanish. All in all, I'm liking our new home. There is so much to see and do that I've never done before that each time we go out, it's an adventure.
This week, I will interview with Small County schools to get on their subbing list. I will also sub for LMK on Wednesday and Friday (if his games aren't cancelled like todays). Finally, we will travel to Richmond so I can hopefully interview with all the surrounding schools in hopes of getting a job for next year. This week starts the beginning of the spring break count down(2 more weeks!) and we are busy, busy, busy.
I'm looking forward to getting into the Small County elementary schools and seeing if I like it. I've been warned about Small County, but it's mostly been from people involved in the high school. I've seen the teenagers around here - and yep, they'd worry me too. However, with no specifics, just a "watch out" I can't help but not worry.
I'd like to think that I can teach anywhere. In fact, my cooperating teacher told me once, if I could teach in Roanoke City schools, I could teach anywhere. Mind you, I won't be heading into the DC schools, but most urban schools don't worry me. Every school has it's problems - urban schools have urban problems, rural schools have rural problems. Right now, all I want is a job. Once I get some teaching experience, I'll think about moving to a more desirable district if needed.
Now, about those pod-teenagers...
I am constantly amazed, no, flabbergasted by LMK's students. Not only do they come up to him in public and speak to him. They're polite! Uber-polite! It's always, "Hello, sir. Yes, sir. No, sir. Nice to meet you, ma'am." It's all I can do not to stand there and stare at them with my mouth hanging open.
Friday, I went up and met his kids. I always like to know the kids a little before I walk into a classroom. Being a first time high school sub, this was doubly important to me. These are still typical teenagers. They're concerned with themselves, make stupid choices, and whine, but under that - they're just nice kids.
As his last class was leaving, several students stopped to say, "It was nice meeting you, Mrs."
"It was nice meeting you, too. I will see you on Monday," I replied.
"Oh no, Mrs." One student said stopping and looking proud, "I won't be here. I have a game."
"In that case, good luck!"
As we were leaving Friday afternoon, one of LMK's students all but jumped in front of the car to get us to stop. LMK got out and the student turned over his missing homework assignments. "I'm sorry they're late, sir," he apologized, "and I'm sorry to have to interrupt you on your way to practice."
Saturday, we went to a movie with LMK's parents downtown. We ran into another one of his students. He, too, was unfailingly polite and well-spoken. It's refreshing to speak to teenagers who are trained to be polite. My mother worked hard on my brother and I to teach us manners and respect for our elders. For goodness sakes, when I subbed for her colleagues that had known me since I was born, I still called them Mr. Smith and Mrs. Jones. I thought manners had all but disappeared.
Teenagers, with manners! At The School, teenagers with manners aren't the exception, but the rule. I swear, The School is spoiling me. No school is going to live up to the atmosphere at The School. Everyone is so unfailingly polite, generous, and kind it's amazing. I don't know whether I should be proud to be associated with such a wonderful program or if I should be upset that a little dose of manners and common courtesy are such a shock.
I'm glad I'm not working at The School more. All these kids would have to do is "ma'am" me a couple times and I'd give them whatever they wanted.
We finally ordered our tickets to Thoroughly Modern Millie!
LMK and I have made it a tradition to go to a show for our anniversary for the past few years. He and my parents were even sweet enough to take me to see The Sound of Music for my birthday. This year, there was nothing I wanted to see around our anniversary, but I saw they would have TMM in the spring. I love the movie with Julie Andrews (I love anything with Julie Andrews) and I have been dying to see the musical.
LMK got tickets last night! We're going when we are in Ohio for Spring Break. I'm so excited. TMM and the cheese plate which I love...mmm cheese (if it wasn't so expensive, we'd get the fruit plate, too). I'm so excited. I'll spend the month until we go to Ohio studying the menu and deciding what I will get. I know it's cheesy, but I just love going to Carousel. The food is delicious and I love seeing musicals.
Also, over the weekend, I made O.live Ga.rden soup. I found the recipe on a website that has dozens of restaurant recipes (OG and others). It was delicious! I think I liked it better than the actual soup at Olive Garden because I control what goes in and how much. I will definitely be trying it again with skim milk instead of heavy cream. While it won't be as yummy, it might not qualify as a heart attack in a bowl.
I have lost my ever-lovin' mind! I'm having flashbacks to the day LMK came home from practice at The College and told me Head Coach had agreed us hosting a team function was a great idea.
"I said I'd do what!?"
Next week, LMK starts soccer games. In order for him to coach, he'll have to leave school early on game days. Usually not more than the last period or two. As long as we've been here, I've heard how hard it is for The School to get subs (I've heard its a problem for most private schools). So instead of having someone in the administration come cover LMK's class, I said I'd do it. Why?
I DON'T KNOW!
In all honesty, I'm not that concerned about subbing for him. I know he will leave me enough work for the kids to complete. I know he will back up any decisions I make. But most importantly, I know he will nail their asses to the wall should they give me problems. After all, he's the one that told me "If they give you trouble, then you give me trouble and I can make them sorry they gave you trouble." Hehehe. My work here is done. Who knows, I may love it. Right now, I'm just excited to be getting out of the house for a few hours. FREEDOM! I'm planning to go up Friday afternoon to meet his kids. Plus, I need to ask the secretary that does subbing about some of the protocol I'll need to follow. Another day out of the house!
Also, the interview/sub meeting I worried about - not a problem. Yesterday, Small County called to reschedule my interview due to the forecasted weather. "Great," I thought, "I can go to Large County's sub meeting".
Ahahahahahaha, I'm so funny. All the schools are closed today due to inclement weather. Mind you, it didn't even start snowing until 1 in the afternoon. Gotta love Virginia!
This morning as I was trying to squeeze in a few last moments of sleep with the kitties. I heard a huge CRASH! Kitties where running every which way. Socks was so startled, he fell off the bed. I checked out the upstairs and didn't notice anything wrong. So I got dressed and went downstairs to take my medicine and get some breakfast.
Once I took my pills, I decided to check the mail. I opened the front door and saw this:
Ah ha. I have found what made the crashing noise. So I went back upstairs and sent LMK a SOS email and went in search of the missing window. Finally, I found the window in LMK's closet had been literally blown out. We have the inside wooden windows, but the frame for the storm windows? Gone.
LMK came home at lunch time to assess the damage. He called maintenance and was assured as soon as someone came back from lunch they would send them over. I expect them any time now. It's been almost 24 hours and no maintenance, so maybe I was concerned about nothing. Evidently, windows get blown out of the frames all the time around here. No big deal. Yesterday, I waited several hours and then went out and cleaned up the mess. There is still some glass in the brick, but I got a lot of it picked up.
I will NOT be cleaning this up though. Nope, they can go out and do that part. Me climbing on the roof is NOT a good idea.
Wednesday is the last substitute meeting of the year for Large County. Once a month, they have a half day sub training meeting where prospective subs fill out paper work and I'm sure, listen to safety training, etc. Last month, I couldn't go because it snowed and school was closed. Once you attend the meeting, they add you to the list a month later. (If I go to the one next Wednesday, I would get added at the beginning of April)
I've been planning for a month to go to this meeting. Right?
Yesterday, I got a call for a substitute interview with Small County schools. The schools that are RIGHT IN TOWN. When is my interview? You guessed it, Wednesday morning. Followed by training for 2 hours on the 14th.
Which would YOU go to?
Some facts:
- Large county schools drive ranges from 40-60 minutes for me.
- Small County schools drive ranges from 3 - 10 minutes for me (I can walk to one).
- Large County School's "real" jobs pay a little more than Small County.
- Both schools pay the same sub rate.
- I have an interview on the 31st with Large County.
- I have heard "horror" stories of how "bad" Small County schools are. I have no evidence that this is true.
- Both schools will be at the GVTI on the 17th (which LMK and I decided I should attend, yesterday).
I mentioned before how much she makes me crazy. However, after finding this, I can finally make through the whole half hour. I must say, some of her recipes seem pretty tasty. I'm tempted to try them.
Anyway, I have a problem. One of many, I know. In lots of her cooking, there is wine. It's in a lot of recipes I think sound yummy.
I've heard several times now, "Never use a wine you wouldn't drink."
I don't drink wine! I don't like wine. I don't really care for alcohol. I've actually only tried wine with one and it wasn't bad but I wouldn't miss the taste/flavor. So, should I continue what I've been doing and just omitting the wine in recipes? Or should I get some wine to have on hand to cook with? What kind of wine is "good" (inexpensive) wine? How long can I keep wine in the fridge?
Seriously.
When we moved to Virginia, LMK and I decided to only bring one car. Basically, we didn't see the need for his car and we were hoping to sell it and make a little money. Long story short, we didn't bring it nor did we sell it. It's still in Ohio. My parents have used it when they've been in a bind and I'm glad it's been there for them to use.
We really like his car for the most part. It gets great gas mileage and it was the perfect car for him when he was putting 50 miles a day on it. We just don't need it right now.
Now, it's just another expense. Both of our cars are getting older (I have a 2000, he has a 2001) and we're going to need to start thinking about new cars. However, for several months, I have excitedly paid the car payments and exclaimed to LMK - "11 payments left! 10 payments!" We currently have 7 payments left in the book. I was thrilled. Thrilled! We're about 6 months ahead and the end is in sight! We're finally going to OWN our car.
Hahahaha. Or so we thought.
We're trying to sell the car through a friend of the family who does this type of thing for a living. However, in order to sell the car, we have to have the title (or something like that). So my parents offered to front the cost and basically get reimbursed when the car sells. Great idea! One less bill for us! Win-win! Hooray! So today, we called the loan company to get our remaining balance. Instead of being a little over $1,000 it's closer to $2,000.
Evidently, we're on a 66 month loan, not a 60 month loan like I thought. Of course, our payment book goes up to 60 payments, so why would I think that was it? Silly me. Who the hell publishes a book and leaves out 6 payments!? It's simply wasteful and sneaky.
Razzafrazzin' car dealerships. It's a frickin' racket. We have a year of payments left. It's just about the most depressing thing I've ever heard.
Boo.
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!
Since Socks has taken up other canine tendencies (sleeping in front of the fire, etc) we've decided he needs to start training right away to be just like Chuck over at Dooce.
I think he could pull it off. We're starting small with 50% off Reese's peanut butter cups. He was not amused, but he sat still, which is more than I can say for his brothers.
Socks is always a good sport. I'm sure the cat puke in the kitchen this morning was just a coincidence.
It's freezing frickin' cold, but it's still warmer than Ohio.
Our driveway still hasn't melted and yesterday we got about another inch of snow on top of the ice. Ah ha! Traction!
Speaking of traction, LMK and I went to the store to purchase a bath mat for our shower. Why?
Basically, I'll sum the whole situation up with - contrary to what I thought, our shower floor gets incredibly slippery. I had an exciting shower this morning as I slipped turning to rinse the conditioner out of my hair.
You would think in a bathroom as tiny as ours that I could have found SOMETHING to grab onto as I was falling. Nope! My hands slid across the wall of the shower to the door, which wasn't completely shut and flew open. Cats were skidding every which way as I struggled to find something to grab onto. I had no luck. So far, the only damage is a sore ankle and what I am expecting to be a bruise where I hit my abdomen on the tub. Generally, I just hurt!
Have a warm and SAFE President's Day everyone.
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!?
Shamelessly stolen from Sleeping Mommy.
Marriage Meme
1. Where/how did you meet?
LMK and I met on the internet. We met in a chatroom at the old Geocities site (before it was Yahoo! Geocities). All their chat rooms where HTML based, not Java like the chat rooms today. I still prefer that kind of chatroom. Anyway, I had been chatting there for several months and one day I entered and overheard...overead him talking about getting shot. (!!!!) I struck up a converstation from there and the rest, as they say, is history.
2. How long have you known each other?
This year will make 10 years. Wow...10 years.
3. How long after you met did you start dating?
This is all so tricky. Technically, we did the long distance relationship for about a year after we met. We actually met in person on his 20th birthday. We finally got to be together every day when I went to Tech in the fall of 1998. So...you decide when the "official" dating began.4. How long did you date before you were engaged?
We got engaged in September of my sophmore year at Tech. He proposed here:
Someday I am going to get a painting of it framed and hung in our house. I love the duck pond gazebo.
5. How long was your engagement?
A little over a year.
6. How long have you been married?
We just celebrated our 6th anniversary this December.7. What is your anniversary?
December 30th
8. How many people came to your wedding reception?
We expected about 150, but it was snowy so less showed up. Everyone was there that I wanted to be there.9. What kind of cake did you serve?
Cake-y cake. It was white cake with butter cream frosting. Very pretty and very simple.10. Where was your wedding?
The wedding was at my church. I love the decorations they have for Christmas so we didn't need to do much decorating. All we did was add poinsettias.11. What did you serve for your meal?
Some lemon chicken thing, rigatoni, salad, green beans, hashbrown casserole, and I forget what else. The place where we had the reception had wonderful food and they included decorating. It was beautiful.12. How many people were their in your bridal party?
Four on each side.13. Are you still friends with them all?
Since over half of them were family, yes. Two were my husband's younger cousins, one was my brother, one was my husband's father, and one was my cousin. My husband's best friend and two of my friends rounded out the eight. Out of my two friends, only one is sketchy and that's because we're both busy with out lives and don't get together like we should. I know if I needed her I could call her. Just as I hope she would do if she needed me. The other is Twin.14. Did you or your spouse cry during the ceremony?
Not really. I was too nervous. Although, I did get a little choked up when LMK said his vows. He was so serious. It was nice to know he really meant them.15. Most special moment of your wedding day?
Ummm...marrying LMK? Oh! And dancing with my grandfather, he died the following June.16. Any funny moments?
I would have to say my husband, father-in-law, brother, father, and LMK's cousins doing the YMCA in ridiculous hats was the highlight of my day.17. Any big disasters?
Two days before the wedding my father was "cleaning" and accidentally threw away my veil. It wouldn't have been a big deal but it was my mom's veil from her wedding and I'd spent hours gluing rhinestones and pearls to it. Shut up, I wanted to sparkle! :o)18. Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Disney World!19. How long were you gone?
11 days, we drove so that makes it about 8 days at Disney.20. If you were to do your wedding over, what would you change?
Nothing really. A lot of people still tell my mom that it was the most fun wedding they've ever been to. Plus, it ended up being pretty inexpensive.21. What side of the bed do you sleep on?
My side...which is usually the middle. I don't share well.22. What size is your bed?
Queen23. Greatest strength as a couple?
We've been told by several people that we have a really strong relationship and I agree. I think our honesty and our consideration for each other are definitely strengths. However, our greatest strength is probably our sense of "team". We are a team. Together we can do anything.24. Greatest challenge as a couple?
Definitely my stubborness. Plus all of LMK's health problems...those seem to be in check now, so they don't really count.25. Who literally pays the bills?
Right now, LMK makes the money and I pay the bills. However, this housewife crap is not all it's cracked up to be. I'm bored!26. What is your song?
We don't have a song really. I never understood that "our song" junk. However, our wedding song is what we've decided is our song.27. What did you dance your first dance to?
My Best Friend by Tim McGrawI never had no one
I could count on
I've been let down so many times
I was tired of hurtin'
So tired of searchin'
'til you walked into my life
It was a feelin
I'd never known
And for the first time
I didn't feel alone
You're more than a lover
There could never be another
To make me feel the way you do
Oh we just get closer
I fall in love all over
Everytime I look at you
I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend
You're my best friend, oh yeah
You stand by me
And you believe in me
Like nobody ever has
When my world goes crazy
Youre right there to save me
You make me see how much I have
And I still tremble
When we touch
And oh the look in your eyes
When we make love
You're more than a lover
There could never be another
To make me feel the way you do
Oh we just get closer
I fall in love all over
Everytime I look at you
And I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend
You're my best friend
You're more than a lover
There could never be another
To make me feel the way you do
Oh we just get closer
I fall in love all over
Everytime I look at you
And I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend
You're my best friend (my best friend)
You're my best friend (my best friend)
28. Describe your wedding dress?
I wish I could just put a picture like SM did (good idea). However, I don't have one scanned and all my pictures are in Ohio. Boo. My dress was made for me. Mainly because I liked the sleeves of this dress, the neckline of that dress, the train of this dress, etc. My dress was short sleeved, A-line dress, with a princess neckline. Then we bought beaded lace and put it at the top of the dress (around the neckline) and at the bottom of the train. It was beautiful. Oh, and I also had the dressmaker sew my grandmother's initials into the train of my dress in light blue. Have I mentioned I LOVED my dress. It's a shame I only got to wear it once. I'd love to wear it again and again. But we got it dry cleaned and preserved so I would have it for years to come.29. What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding?
Huge red and white poinsettias around the church (they were beautiful). Then the bouquets were evergreen and red and white roses. We actually ordered them from the local grocery store. They were really pretty and much cheaper than going to the florist in town. Some of my mom's family is in the flower business (they're pretty big in the flower business actually) so we didn't feel we could do artificial flowers. We ended up getting the poinsettias from my cousin wholesale. Then we donated them to the church for shut-ins. Our bouquets were stuck into paper bags and frozen for a year. They still look pretty darn good!
30. Are your wedding bands engraved? What do they say?
Nope, mine is too thin to be engraved. I wanted to engrave LMK's with "PUT IT BACK ON", but he didn't find the humor in that. Hehehehehe.
and I feel fine.
I've said it before, but I am going to say it again. These people are hilarious!
They're predicting 4 inches of snow and possibly some ice over the next 24 hours. While I would really like to get some more firewood, since we're almost out, it's the only thing we really need. Of course, we don't have anything to load the wood into and I don't want to pay $200 for wood (it's like burning money). So it would seem we're at an impass.
Anyway...according to one of the maintenence guys (the one that was at our house no less than 3 times yesterday), there will be no bread, milk, or toilet paper at the grocery store because everyone is stock piling. Meanwhile, in Ohio they're under a blizzard watch. I can understand those people getting some extra supplies. 18-20 inches of snow in a day is big trouble even in an area where they get a lot of snow each year.
All I know is I sent brownies up for the maintenence guys today since they've been really great about fixing all our house problems. I'm hoping things will stop breaking now so we can quit calling them. I feel like I see them more than LMK. One guy commented yesterday that if he came back again today the neighbors would start to talk. Yes, they would!
It's starting to ice here, so I am going to go get some housework done. Luckily, I don't have to leave in this awful weather. Yay for unemployment! If you need us, Socks and I will be warming ourselves by the fire....until we run out of firewood.
Stay warm, stay safe everyone!
I haven't forgotten about figuring out why skinny people make me nervous, I just don't feel like figuring it out today. So I will meme. I found this on MySpace. Adapted it to the blog.
So these be the rules
1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn't make sense. NO CHEATING!
4. Tag 5 people. (Note: I don't tag.)
5.With the answers, give your own comments on how it relates to the questions. (Comments are in italics)
So here goes!!
1. How are you feeling today?
Leave the Pieces - The Wreckers ~ Hmmm...not really. Melancholy is good though.
2. Will you get far in life?
Always Tomorrow - Princess Diaries soundtrack ~ Ooooo...good choice.
3. How do your friends see you?
Me and My Gang - Rascal Flatts ~ Hehehehehehehe.
4. Will you get married?
Holding on for a Hero - Soundtrack from Footloose ~ "A white knight upon a fiery steed." :o)
5. What is you best friend's theme song?
Hakuna Matata - Soundtrack from the Lion King ~ Nice.
6. What is the story of your life?
My Wish - Rascal Flatts ~ Ooooo, chills.
7. What was/is highschool like?
Crush - Lila McCann ~ Hmmm. Intersting. Somewhat relative.
8. How can you get ahead in life?
We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister ~ AHAHAHAHAHA!
9. What is the best thing about your friends?
Favorite State of Mind - Josh Gracin ~ "Crazy, happy, laughin' at me, all that and then some."
10. What is in store for this weekend?
Miss You More - BBMak (Princess Diaries Soundtrack) ~ Well...that's enough to depress me.
11. To describe your grandparents?
Just a Few Questions I Have - Clay Walker
12. How is your life going?
Roots and Wings - James Bonamy ~ Love this song.
13. What song will they play at your funeral?
Ready to Run - Dixie Chicks (Runaway Bride Soundtrack) ~ Um...k.
14. How does the world see you?
Poison - Alice Cooper ~
15. Will you have a happy life?
Your Crowning Glory - Julie Andrews, Princess Diaries II soundtrack ~ Otay...still like the song.
16. What do your friends really think of you?
Dude Looks Like A Lady - Aerosmith ~ Heh.
17. Do people secretly lust after you?
Take Me or Leave Me - Soundtrack from Rent ~ ::snort::
18. How can I make myself happy?
Find Yourself - Brad Paisley
19. What should you do with your life?
Seek and Destroy - Metallica ~ Strange, yet powerful
20. Will you ever have children?
Without You - Soundtrack from Rent ~ "Life goes on, but I'm gone... without you." Hmm...fitting, I suppose.
LMK and I went to the doctor yesterday. Personally, I can breathe a sigh of relief that LMK is finally getting the health care he needs. With a family history of heart attacks and high blood pressure, I worry/worried about him constantly. We're one step closer to getting him healthier.
Me on the other hand. Meh. It's nothing I didn't already know. Must lose weight. Wait, I take that back. I learned that should I get pregnant, this practice won't "deal with me". Huh?
I don't remember most of what the doctor said. All I could hear was a rushing sound in my ears after she said the phrase, "high risk pregnancy."
Still thinking about that and what I am going to do to change things. I'm not a regular viewer of Ty.ra Banks, but I do like her. I just happened to have this show dvr'd. Maybe I should watch it everyday to keep my will power.
It's nice to have someone sticking up for the "fat" chicks. Truth be told, I've really stuck it to the man. I've decided I will never be skinny, so why bother trying. In fact, let's just go to the other extreme. If I can't be the skinniest person I know, well then, by God, I'm going to be the fattest. Mission accomplished.
Sigh.
Tomorrow, by request, I look at why skinny people make me nervous. It's Self Loathing Week here at Casa Lawn Mower. Pull up some issues and enjoy.
I've been up since 6AM.
We have no heat.
The men that know how to fix our heat aren't in yet.
It's 11° outside.
Update (10 A.M.) : We have heat! It's still cold as heck in here, but it's beginning to warm up. We're up to almost 50 in the living room!
Instead of watching the new episodes of Lost, LMK and I decided to watch the USA / Mexico friendlies game. We'll watch Lost on a night when LMK isn't zonked and can enjoy it.
Normally, I would be slightly miffed that we watched SOCCER instead of Lost, but the game was actually really good. It was fun to sit with my husband and watch soccer. We even took a page out of The College's men's team. After a really bad call, I couldn't help myself. "Let's boo at the ref! Booooooooooooooooooo" Heh. Maybe you had to be there.
I laughed when LMK yelled, "Albright, you're killin' me." in the second half. I wonder how many times he's said a variation of that on the sidelines for The College. He correctly called who was going to be subbed and where the new players were going. It's actually fun watching the games with him. He loves the game so much it makes those around him enjoy it too.
Finally, he came through with a funny. Please remember, when I married this man he was incredibly serious. Four years spent around my mother seem to doing him some good.
LMK: "A goalkeeper with Tourette's syndrome?..............How can they tell?"
5:39 A.M. - Silence in the Lawn Mower castle. Save for a lone fan whirring on low.
5:40 A.M. - The lone fan's whirring changes. LMQ awakes with the feeling something isn't quite right.
5:41 A.M. - Loud, consistent snores erupt from LMK in his 'Den of Seclusion' (a.k.a. The Loud Room...far away from The Quiet Room where LMQ is sleeping). LMQ rolls over and tries to go back to sleep.
5:45 A.M. - The soft whirring ceases as all power goes out in the castle.
5:46 A.M. - "Craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap," says LMQ. "Did we pay our electric bill?" she thinks. She decides to stay in bed until the downstairs clock chimes six. Then she will get up, wake up LMK, and inform him of the situation. It's his birthday afterall. Let him sleep in.
5:51 A.M. - LMQ tiptoes out of bed and checks the neighboring castles for light. She notices that the village seems unusually dark as well. She tiptoes toward the 'Den
5:52 A.M. - En route to the 'Den of Seclusion' LMQ steps on His Royal Highness Ollie's tail and stumbles.
5:53 A.M. - LMQ continues down the hall cursing HRH Ollie as she goes.
5:54 A.M. - LMQ wakes the snoring LMK. He sits straight up in bed exclaiming, "What? What's wrong?"
5:57 A.M. - After briefing LMK on the situation, LMQ is sent back to bed where it is warm and she won't trip over something.
5:58 A.M. - On her way back to bed, LMQ trips over HRH Ollie yet again. She shakes her fist in his general direction before crawling back into bed. LMK is checking the windows to see if other castles are without power.
5:59 A.M. - LMK proceeds carefully down the slippery steps he slipped down over the weekend, while LMQ holds her breath and waits for the sound of him bouncing down the steps.
6:00 A.M. - LMK locates a working flashlight and brings a lighter back upstairs to LMQ. He lights a candle so she has some light in the bedroom. Then, LMK peers out the window uptoward The School to see if they have power. They may not have snow days, but what will they do with no electricity.
6:03 A.M. - LMK confirms that there are no lights at The School and that he starting to see some flashlights bobbing around.
6:10 A.M. - After several minutes of discussion, LMK decides to attempt to shower and get ready for work. After he is dressed in work attire he will walk up to work and see what is going on. He shall report status back to LMQ.
6:34 A.M. - LMK leaves for work. On his way, he takes out the trash. Good LMK.
6:55 A.M. - LMK returns and reports that it must be a county-wide blackout as colleagues from the country are reporting no electricity too. He decides to get something to read and return to the school to see what is going to happen for the day.
6:57 A.M. - LMQ can't help lying in bed thinking, "If I'm going to be in a house with no heat, I should really just stay in bed where it's warm. However, if it's going to get cold, I should really put the flannel sheets on the bed."
6:58 A.M. - LMQ ponders getting out of bed to change the sheets.
6:59 A.M. - LMQ snorts at the thought of getting out of her warm bed.
7:00 A.M. - LMK gets ready to head back to the school. Before he leaves, LMQ calls him into the bedroom for one last message. "Happy Birthday, honey."
Happy birthday.
NoVA Observations
#8 - Kids love these Heely things.
I had never seen a pair of these shoes until we moved to NoVA. Now, they're everywhere! I'd like to think that we didn't live in the middle of nowhere when we lived in Ohio. I mean, we could be in Cleveland in under an hour and Columbus in under 3.
Is it me, or are these shoes just the epitome of laziness? You're too lazy to WALK so you roll around on roller shoes. Seriously, you've got to be kidding me.
Evidently, I'm not the only one annoyed by these shoes. Signs are also popping up in all the store windows, "For the safety of our customers, please do not use Heely's in our store."
Check out observations #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, and #7.
Long time readers will remember the fuel oil saga from when LMK and I moved into the new house.
After the new year, we went down to the company to get into the system and establish a budget plan. We discussed the situation with the new accounts woman and decided that instead of beginning the budget plan in January (halfway through their year) and having to pay for a year's worth of oil service in 3 months, over $300 a month, we would hold off on oil delivery until their new budget year started and go from there. She said we should be fine for the rest of the winter and to call if we needed more oil. Fine with me.
Imagine our surprise last week, when the school received a bill for a fuel oil delivery at our house. Um...exsqueeze me? Evidently, the company delivered fuel oil on the only weekday all month where I have been out of the house. Doesn't it just figure. After some calling around we discovered that is has something to do with the school and that these monthly deliveries will continue unless the school tell them not to come. Well...goody! Fine, it's a $150 bill we weren't expecting every month, but I won't have to worry about us running out of heat. We'll survive.
Crisis averted.
Hahaha! Fate, you evil bitch, you were just messing with me, weren't you?
Yesterday morning, I went down to check the mail. I saw a piece of paper stuck into our door. "Interesting," I thought as I pulled it out of the door, "I wonder who is selling what."
No one was selling anything. It was a bill. A bill for a fuel oil delivery.
FROM A DIFFERENT COMPANY!
For more than the last bill! After the lightheadedness passed, I started noticing other things. Like they put in almost 15 gallons more than the company that filled it up on the 18th and that the customer name was not mine, nor was the address. We're in the process of getting it handled...but I'm thinking we've got ANOTHER oil bill to pay.
Never a dull moment, `round here. Never.