First, I had an observation today for a training thing I am part of at school. This observation had been previously scheduled and cancelled earlier in the year and this time I didn't stress nearly as much or "dog and pony" nearly as hard. Surprise, they liked my lesson anyway. I did just the kind of thing I do anyway and got rave reviews. Whooda thunkit?
Second, I got home to find that the title for our old car has arrived. This means we can finally go through with the sale we have had pending for a few weeks. One less thing to deal with.
Third, many of the pals I invited for my Groundhog's Day party have said they will be able to come. I did some deep cleaning last weekend, so all I have to do Saturday is the surface straightening up and then the making of the lasagna. I am excited!
Finally, I wandered around and send happy vibes to the new trees this morning. They are all looking fine, although they are all still in Sleep Mode. Not too much longer until they start sending out buds and such, though.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
Snuggle Cat
Ollie has decided that when my butt is in my computer chair it means that I have nothing better to do than love on him. He stands in front of my monitor so that I can see his handsome stripes and elegantly tapered tail. He lays on my papers to keep them in place, twitching his dangle paws in irritation whenever I have to use the "delete" button. He edits my work with long, drawnout footsteps. "iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiijjjjjjjjjjjsssssssssssssslllllllllllll"
He climbs onto my lap, kneeding his claws relentlessly into my arm while he purrs his satisfaction to the world. If I should stop petting him, he reaches a paw towards my face in gentle reminder. To fend off boredom, he bats at the pendant around my neck, tickling me with his warm kitty breath and long kitty whiskers. He makes every computer project take twice as long as it needs to. He is a pain in the behind and I love him dearly. He is my sturdy little snuggle cat.
He climbs onto my lap, kneeding his claws relentlessly into my arm while he purrs his satisfaction to the world. If I should stop petting him, he reaches a paw towards my face in gentle reminder. To fend off boredom, he bats at the pendant around my neck, tickling me with his warm kitty breath and long kitty whiskers. He makes every computer project take twice as long as it needs to. He is a pain in the behind and I love him dearly. He is my sturdy little snuggle cat.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Planted
All of our loverly little plants are nestled snuggly in the ground. The apples, pear, almond, cherry, and pomegranate are spread out along the hill to the water pump. The mulberry is positioned to give wonderful shade to the hammock when it grows up. The lilac was split into two and spread around in front of the house, and the raspberries are over near the soon-to-be garden plot.
We dug 13 holes today, and my shoulders are feeling it. I am a little afraid of what my back and arms are going to be feeling come tomorrow morning. It will all be worth it when we are watching those plants bloom and grow and give fruit.
We dug 13 holes today, and my shoulders are feeling it. I am a little afraid of what my back and arms are going to be feeling come tomorrow morning. It will all be worth it when we are watching those plants bloom and grow and give fruit.
Tooty Frooty
Today is the beginning of Home Improvement Job #3.
(In case you are new or have trouble with your short term memory:
HIJ#1 = Building the cat run from scratch
STATUS = done, but temporarily out of use due to Bonsai's newfound ability to climb the wire and wander the garage roof.
NEXT STEP = Bonsai proof it!
HIJ#2 = Putting up gutters
STATUS = garage is done, house yet to be started because we had to return the borrowed second ladder.
NEXT STEP = buy second ladder and get the house done)
Yesterday, we went to Lizzie Ann's Garden Center in Anza (supporting our small town business!) and purchased the following:
1 large President Lincoln lilac - I have always enjoyed the fragrance of lilacs. This one is big enough that we can divide it into 4 separate plants. They will be planted between the house and the driveway that curves around in front.
2 Fuji apple trees - This is Mikey's favorite flavor of apple. We will plant them on the hill and hopefully we will have apples for snacks and pies and dipping in caramel and so on.
1 Stella cherry tree - Got this one on a whim. I am a big fan of fresh cherries but I have never grown a cherry tree. I was warned that the birds would eat most of them if I didn't net the tree, but I think I am okay with that. I will have birds in the yard AND I will avoid feeling too guilty about my complete lack of canning ability!
3 unknown type of raspberry bushes - We joked about getting enough to put around the whole property. That would stop those dogs from digging under our fence! We will probably put them near the kitchen garden in the middle of the front yard. I can't wait until we have enough for raspberry pancakes!
1 Pakistan Fruiting Mulberry - Another spur of the moment purchase. Now all we need is a monkey and a weasle. They say that mulberry fruits are tasty and good for all kinds of treats. I wouldn't mind learning to make mulberry fruit leather. My grandpa used to make fruit leather that was just de-LISH!
1 Sweet Pomegranate - Pomigranites are a great favorite out here in SoCal. Kids bring them to school for morning snack and come back to class with fuchsia fingers. Despite the horrendous mess (I was wiping up pomegranate juice for weeks after the last one), they are quite enjoyable with their sweet/tart taste and their satisfying crunch.
1 All-in-One Almond - Mikey lobbied for this one and I am glad he did, even though harvesting nuts involves more work then harvesting fruit. All that shelling! :) I am looking forward to having toasted almonds to add to my homemade spinach and pomegranate salad (doesn't that sound yummy?).
1 Bartlett Pear - Pears are the most perfect fruit and Bartletts are the most perfect pear. I have this great baked pear recipe that I will have to try out after we are getting fruit from this tree. Ooh! And I can garnish it with toasted almonds!
There you have it. We are going to have fruit and nuts coming out our ears in a few years. They said we might even get some fruit this year, but I am not going to get me hopes up too far. Today we are going to go out and plant things. Then we will have to figure out how to get our driplines in place before the summer heat comes.
I am quite excited to be growing our own food. Between the trees and the garden, we'll be doing pretty well. Nothing tastes quite so good as a meal made from homegrown goodies!
(In case you are new or have trouble with your short term memory:
HIJ#1 = Building the cat run from scratch
STATUS = done, but temporarily out of use due to Bonsai's newfound ability to climb the wire and wander the garage roof.
NEXT STEP = Bonsai proof it!
HIJ#2 = Putting up gutters
STATUS = garage is done, house yet to be started because we had to return the borrowed second ladder.
NEXT STEP = buy second ladder and get the house done)
Yesterday, we went to Lizzie Ann's Garden Center in Anza (supporting our small town business!) and purchased the following:
1 large President Lincoln lilac - I have always enjoyed the fragrance of lilacs. This one is big enough that we can divide it into 4 separate plants. They will be planted between the house and the driveway that curves around in front.
2 Fuji apple trees - This is Mikey's favorite flavor of apple. We will plant them on the hill and hopefully we will have apples for snacks and pies and dipping in caramel and so on.
1 Stella cherry tree - Got this one on a whim. I am a big fan of fresh cherries but I have never grown a cherry tree. I was warned that the birds would eat most of them if I didn't net the tree, but I think I am okay with that. I will have birds in the yard AND I will avoid feeling too guilty about my complete lack of canning ability!
3 unknown type of raspberry bushes - We joked about getting enough to put around the whole property. That would stop those dogs from digging under our fence! We will probably put them near the kitchen garden in the middle of the front yard. I can't wait until we have enough for raspberry pancakes!
1 Pakistan Fruiting Mulberry - Another spur of the moment purchase. Now all we need is a monkey and a weasle. They say that mulberry fruits are tasty and good for all kinds of treats. I wouldn't mind learning to make mulberry fruit leather. My grandpa used to make fruit leather that was just de-LISH!
1 Sweet Pomegranate - Pomigranites are a great favorite out here in SoCal. Kids bring them to school for morning snack and come back to class with fuchsia fingers. Despite the horrendous mess (I was wiping up pomegranate juice for weeks after the last one), they are quite enjoyable with their sweet/tart taste and their satisfying crunch.
1 All-in-One Almond - Mikey lobbied for this one and I am glad he did, even though harvesting nuts involves more work then harvesting fruit. All that shelling! :) I am looking forward to having toasted almonds to add to my homemade spinach and pomegranate salad (doesn't that sound yummy?).
1 Bartlett Pear - Pears are the most perfect fruit and Bartletts are the most perfect pear. I have this great baked pear recipe that I will have to try out after we are getting fruit from this tree. Ooh! And I can garnish it with toasted almonds!
There you have it. We are going to have fruit and nuts coming out our ears in a few years. They said we might even get some fruit this year, but I am not going to get me hopes up too far. Today we are going to go out and plant things. Then we will have to figure out how to get our driplines in place before the summer heat comes.
I am quite excited to be growing our own food. Between the trees and the garden, we'll be doing pretty well. Nothing tastes quite so good as a meal made from homegrown goodies!
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Conspiracy
I know this post won't contain any big surprises for those of you who have dealth with medical insurance companies on any kind of regular basis...but I don't...so it's news to me.
I have discovered the conspiracy that keeps our medical system going. It's like this. I go to the doctor for a routine exam, something that will hopefully prevent me from having problems in the future AND which is covered by my insurance. I pay my ever rising co-pay like a good girl and go on my merry way, happy that the test results were all as expected, glad that it is over until the next year.
Not so.
First, I get the notice from the lab saying that I am past due on my account. Hmm. I call the insurance company to verify that the tests were, in fact, covered. Yep. So, I call the lab to tell them so. They haven't received payment. I call the insurance company back and tell them this (because it is apparently MY job to make these calls and handle the billing/payment for these companies), to which they reply that they have not received a bill from said lab. Okay. I can see the problem and an easy solution. I call the lab, AGAIN, and inform them that the bill wasn't received. They agree to send another bill to the insurance company. I get to hang up feeling as though I have accomplished something and go on with my day.
(I know. This is where all of you who are experienced in this sort of thing get a good laugh. You're welcome. They say laughter is the best medicine. I hope so because actual medicine is too damn expensive and frustrating to deal with.)
Two months later, I open a letter from the lab. It says basically the same things, only this time there is more red highlighting. They are helping me out by making the important words like "$60.00" and "past due" easier to spot. I go through the same rigamorole that I did the last time. Multiple phone calls later we have once again determined that my tests were covered by the insurance, that the bill wasn't received and so it wasn't paid. I am again told that the lab would send out the bill. This time I hang up warily only after writing down names and confirmation numbers and all kinds of important information. (See, I am a quick learner!)
Repeat this procedure every other month until this week. This time the letter has the words "FINAL NOTICE" in a big red box. It contains threatening language about collection agencies and adversely affected credit. I am left with two choices - continue to fight this losing battle or just pay the damn bill. I pay $90 a month (I know, that isn't much compared to some, but it is a lot for us) to these insurance company incompetents. I paid my co-pay when I went to the doctor. For the last year I have spend valuable time dealing with these two companies that refuse to talk to each other. And I am STILL going to end up paying for something for which I shouldn't be responsible. The clinic gets their money. The insurance company gets theirs. And I get screwed.
Dammit.
I have discovered the conspiracy that keeps our medical system going. It's like this. I go to the doctor for a routine exam, something that will hopefully prevent me from having problems in the future AND which is covered by my insurance. I pay my ever rising co-pay like a good girl and go on my merry way, happy that the test results were all as expected, glad that it is over until the next year.
Not so.
First, I get the notice from the lab saying that I am past due on my account. Hmm. I call the insurance company to verify that the tests were, in fact, covered. Yep. So, I call the lab to tell them so. They haven't received payment. I call the insurance company back and tell them this (because it is apparently MY job to make these calls and handle the billing/payment for these companies), to which they reply that they have not received a bill from said lab. Okay. I can see the problem and an easy solution. I call the lab, AGAIN, and inform them that the bill wasn't received. They agree to send another bill to the insurance company. I get to hang up feeling as though I have accomplished something and go on with my day.
(I know. This is where all of you who are experienced in this sort of thing get a good laugh. You're welcome. They say laughter is the best medicine. I hope so because actual medicine is too damn expensive and frustrating to deal with.)
Two months later, I open a letter from the lab. It says basically the same things, only this time there is more red highlighting. They are helping me out by making the important words like "$60.00" and "past due" easier to spot. I go through the same rigamorole that I did the last time. Multiple phone calls later we have once again determined that my tests were covered by the insurance, that the bill wasn't received and so it wasn't paid. I am again told that the lab would send out the bill. This time I hang up warily only after writing down names and confirmation numbers and all kinds of important information. (See, I am a quick learner!)
Repeat this procedure every other month until this week. This time the letter has the words "FINAL NOTICE" in a big red box. It contains threatening language about collection agencies and adversely affected credit. I am left with two choices - continue to fight this losing battle or just pay the damn bill. I pay $90 a month (I know, that isn't much compared to some, but it is a lot for us) to these insurance company incompetents. I paid my co-pay when I went to the doctor. For the last year I have spend valuable time dealing with these two companies that refuse to talk to each other. And I am STILL going to end up paying for something for which I shouldn't be responsible. The clinic gets their money. The insurance company gets theirs. And I get screwed.
Dammit.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Blah dee blah
I don't really have anything to say, but this just popped into my head...
The radio station I listen to plays quite a bit of 80's and 90's music, mixing Prince with Nirvana with Elton John with the Dresden Dolls with all kinds of things. Consequently, I am often hearing songs that I haven't heard in a long time. This is fun, except that I am realizing that all my favorite lover's ballads from that era are filled with misogynistic bullcrap. Jesse's Girl. When a Man Loves a Woman. So many songs talking about the cruelties of women or objectifying them. Some of them, I can't even listen to anymore. Others I just enjoy as throwbacks from an era that is thankfully over. Most of the time I try to remember that they were written by people who were either recently heartbroken or recently fallen in love - neither of which are times when you can be trusted to make a lot of sense.
The radio station I listen to plays quite a bit of 80's and 90's music, mixing Prince with Nirvana with Elton John with the Dresden Dolls with all kinds of things. Consequently, I am often hearing songs that I haven't heard in a long time. This is fun, except that I am realizing that all my favorite lover's ballads from that era are filled with misogynistic bullcrap. Jesse's Girl. When a Man Loves a Woman. So many songs talking about the cruelties of women or objectifying them. Some of them, I can't even listen to anymore. Others I just enjoy as throwbacks from an era that is thankfully over. Most of the time I try to remember that they were written by people who were either recently heartbroken or recently fallen in love - neither of which are times when you can be trusted to make a lot of sense.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Happy Monday
I settled in behind my front door before the sun settled down behind the mountain this afternoon. Awesome.
My team and I spend 1/2 the day planning and dealing with the little stuff that needed to be dealt with. While I was out of the classroom, my kids were cooperative with the sub. Awesome.
Someone asked me if I have been loosing weight. I haven't, but I have been fitting into my clothing better, so something good is happening. Awesome.
I got to talk to several members of my family last night and a dear friend (off teaching at a new school now) this afternoon. Awesome.
It's been a good day. Have a nice night.
My team and I spend 1/2 the day planning and dealing with the little stuff that needed to be dealt with. While I was out of the classroom, my kids were cooperative with the sub. Awesome.
Someone asked me if I have been loosing weight. I haven't, but I have been fitting into my clothing better, so something good is happening. Awesome.
I got to talk to several members of my family last night and a dear friend (off teaching at a new school now) this afternoon. Awesome.
It's been a good day. Have a nice night.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Whining - but in a fun way.
My inky-flinky-double stinky (yes - I just made that up...like it?) knee is acting up again. Only this time it isn't a dull ache under the lowest edge of my kneecap. This time it is an ice-pick right in the middle of my kneecap. Fun. Thankfully, it doesn't hurt all the time, only when I do something silly like trying to pick something up off the floor or walk across the room. Stupid knee. Stupid, floopid, inky-flinky-double stinky, razz-a-flazzen knee.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Rate of Maturity
Fifth grade is an age of vast differences in maturity levels. I see this every day in a variety of interesting ways, but none has struck me quite as profoundly as hearing the responses to a writing prompt the other day. I presented them with the following quote:
"It takes sunshine and rain to make a rainbow."
and asked them to fill 1/2 of a page with their thoughts, feelings, etc. The responses encompassed a Grand Canyon of interpretations, everything from (I am paraphrasing here)
"I don't know what it means." (meaning "I don't give a rat's behind what it means, I just want to get home to my video games")
to
"It means that to get a rainbow you have to have sunshine and rain drops." (this was the most common response)
to
"In your life you will have good days (the sunshine) and bad days (the rain) and they will blend together to the golden days of your retirement (the rainbow)." (I'm not exaggerating here - someone in my class actually wrote these words)
Some of these kids could take over the class if I were to fail to show up. And others have trouble keeping their own shoes tied. Fifth grade is a hard grade to teach, but from what I have seen this year, it's even harder to live.
"It takes sunshine and rain to make a rainbow."
and asked them to fill 1/2 of a page with their thoughts, feelings, etc. The responses encompassed a Grand Canyon of interpretations, everything from (I am paraphrasing here)
"I don't know what it means." (meaning "I don't give a rat's behind what it means, I just want to get home to my video games")
to
"It means that to get a rainbow you have to have sunshine and rain drops." (this was the most common response)
to
"In your life you will have good days (the sunshine) and bad days (the rain) and they will blend together to the golden days of your retirement (the rainbow)." (I'm not exaggerating here - someone in my class actually wrote these words)
Some of these kids could take over the class if I were to fail to show up. And others have trouble keeping their own shoes tied. Fifth grade is a hard grade to teach, but from what I have seen this year, it's even harder to live.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Good Stuff
The following is nothing more than a list of things I really like. Just for fun. Well, to be honest, just to avoid doing my grading (see #12)
1 Lay's Potato Chips
2 M&Ms
3 kitty snuggles
4 Buffy the Vampire Slayer
5 fictional courtroom dramas
6 the sun
7 my bloglist
8 vulgar, inappropriate music
9 witty bumperstickers
10 laughter
11 sharing knowledge
12 procrastination
13 knitting
14 Converse sneakers
15 fresh baked French bread
16 labels
17 Scope mouthwash
18 Chapstick
19 my down comforter
20 8 hours of sleep
21 sappy lyrics
22 hip-hugger cords
23 bargain shopping at Kohl's
24 Siggy's dinner salad with extra bleu cheese
25 kickboxing
26 being able to come up with 25 things I really like within 5 minutes
Okay. I'm off to to my grading...or finish my courtroom drama...or watch Buffy! :) Have a great night.
1 Lay's Potato Chips
2 M&Ms
3 kitty snuggles
4 Buffy the Vampire Slayer
5 fictional courtroom dramas
6 the sun
7 my bloglist
8 vulgar, inappropriate music
9 witty bumperstickers
10 laughter
11 sharing knowledge
12 procrastination
13 knitting
14 Converse sneakers
15 fresh baked French bread
16 labels
17 Scope mouthwash
18 Chapstick
19 my down comforter
20 8 hours of sleep
21 sappy lyrics
22 hip-hugger cords
23 bargain shopping at Kohl's
24 Siggy's dinner salad with extra bleu cheese
25 kickboxing
26 being able to come up with 25 things I really like within 5 minutes
Okay. I'm off to to my grading...or finish my courtroom drama...or watch Buffy! :) Have a great night.
All Hail the Orb of Heat
For the first day in months, I got home before the sun finished going behind the mountain. It was light out as I stepped into my house. I am so grateful to be on this side of the Solstice! :)
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Old Pics
We had a loverly little Solstice tree this year.
In daylight it looked like this:
And at night, it looked like this:
In daylight it looked like this:
And at night, it looked like this:
Second Job
Since I may or may not have a teaching position next year it is time for me to start thinking outside the box. At the moment, my only other marketable talent is knitting. Not that I will ever be able to make a living at it, but it might make working for Burger King* a little more bearable, no? You have seen my scarves. Now you get to see the hats! Yep, I have been branching out.
First, here is a scarf/hat set that I made for my brother and his girl. They are both going to Moorhead State and he's on the football team. At one point, I jokingly said I would make him a scarf with his school colors. Well, I suspect he is a little too manly to wear a fringed scarf, but maybe his girlfriend would be interested and then he can wear the hat and they can be a matched set. Isn't that just sickeningly sweet? You haven't heard the best part - if I can find out what his jersey number is, I am going to stitch it onto the scarf. Then she can wear it to the football games and cheer him on! Aaaawwwwww!!
I had so much fun making the hat for the set that I made a couple more. I am going to add a tassle or something fun to the top of each of them, but otherwise they are finished. I'm particularly enjoying putting together the colors and seeing what happens. I may make another rainbow one with white instead of black for the alternating stripes.
So here's the deal. I am going to set up an official page, but you are getting the advanced sale! If you are interested in either of these hats (or one like it with colors/stripes of your choice!) let me know. The hats are nice and toasty and mostly one size fits all. The scarves can either be winter warm or dressy cool depending on the yarn used. They make great gifts!
Current pricing is: $15 for the hats, $25 for a scarf.
Discounts available if you buy the yarn and send it to me (this also ensures that your idea of rust and mine are the same!)
If all else fails, I can always start selling cats**. Who wouldn't want an adorable little furball like this?
Or this?
* I'm kidding. I am not going to have to work for Burger King. I hope.
** Again with the kidding. I am not going to have to sell the cats. I hope! :)
First, here is a scarf/hat set that I made for my brother and his girl. They are both going to Moorhead State and he's on the football team. At one point, I jokingly said I would make him a scarf with his school colors. Well, I suspect he is a little too manly to wear a fringed scarf, but maybe his girlfriend would be interested and then he can wear the hat and they can be a matched set. Isn't that just sickeningly sweet? You haven't heard the best part - if I can find out what his jersey number is, I am going to stitch it onto the scarf. Then she can wear it to the football games and cheer him on! Aaaawwwwww!!
I had so much fun making the hat for the set that I made a couple more. I am going to add a tassle or something fun to the top of each of them, but otherwise they are finished. I'm particularly enjoying putting together the colors and seeing what happens. I may make another rainbow one with white instead of black for the alternating stripes.
So here's the deal. I am going to set up an official page, but you are getting the advanced sale! If you are interested in either of these hats (or one like it with colors/stripes of your choice!) let me know. The hats are nice and toasty and mostly one size fits all. The scarves can either be winter warm or dressy cool depending on the yarn used. They make great gifts!
Current pricing is: $15 for the hats, $25 for a scarf.
Discounts available if you buy the yarn and send it to me (this also ensures that your idea of rust and mine are the same!)
If all else fails, I can always start selling cats**. Who wouldn't want an adorable little furball like this?
Or this?
* I'm kidding. I am not going to have to work for Burger King. I hope.
** Again with the kidding. I am not going to have to sell the cats. I hope! :)
Taking Control
I am grateful that this weekend is a long one (Thanks, Mr. King!) because the extra day is helping me to take back some control in a life that is feeling decidedly tailspin-ish. Yesterday I was able to get a large amount of grading done. Today I will be doing more of the same, but I have also completed some work (granted a miniscule amount) on my masters program. Tomorrow, I will do even more grading and get this house whipped into some sort of order. What the heck. I might even try to work on my masters homework some more.
There is truly nothing that helps those feelings of helplessness and lack of control like taking some control over things. Wish me luck!
There is truly nothing that helps those feelings of helplessness and lack of control like taking some control over things. Wish me luck!
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Frustrations
OR
Ways In Which Other People Are Controlling My Life
1. I went to register the new car the other day. Later than the 21 days required because we were waiting for some documentation. The guy told us he would issue another bill of sale for the day we got the required paperwork, but somehow that didn't happen. Anyway. I rush away from school so that I can stand around at the DMV waiting for my number to be called (apparently our DMV office only offers appointments in the middle of the freakin' weekday - something I can't accomplish) only to be told that the paperwork he provided did not actually do what it was supposed to do. So I wrote a check for $1,600 and got nothing in return. Well, nothing except the job of attempting to track this guy down and get the papers that we actually need. As of this moment, he hasn't returned our phone call or replied to our email. Bastard. Oh! And I get to make another exciting trip to the DMV. Whoo hoo! And, of course, since the vehicle isn't registered, I can't drive it. :(
2. In our district we are working under an expired contract while our district officials and union reps try to hash out the details of the new contract. The district is being decidedly pig-headed about the amount of money they have available. No. That isn't true. I am sure they really have the amount they say they do, but that is mostly because they spend the money that comes in as fast as they can to avoid having to give it to us. If I were a parent in this district I would be concerned about the corner cutting and worse that happens in the name of "economy". Many of the teachers in our district responded to the crapstounding offer we received on Thursday morning by having a sick-out on Friday. Two of our highschools had to send their students home at 10:30 because none of the teachers showed up. Somehow they managed to keep them long enough to get it to count towards a half day, though. Thousands of students being crammed into the gym and "monitored" by the few subs who didn't know better than to take the jobs all for the sake of a half-day's worth of attendance money. I shudder at the thought of what might have happened. So the district is currently holding my raise hostage, the union is (rightly, I think) holding out for a better offer that may or may not come, possibly resulting in more work-to-rule or worse, and I am stuck in the middle just hoping that no matter what happens I can manage to eek through the downsizing and keep my job for next year. It's enough to make my head hurt.
3. (This one is really my fault, but I am going to whine anyway. Sorry.) We found a nice couple with a bunch of highschool aged kids who are interested in buying the Escort. We were getting it all ready for the final transaction when we looked at the registration and realized that it said "non-transferable". Suddenly, I remembered how I had registered the car without a title when I first came to CA because I was waiting for a duplicate title from WI. I was supposed to go in and fix things when it arrived. Since it didn't prevent me from driving the car (only selling it), I somehow never got around to it and eventually forgot all about it. Argh. Fortunately, the aforementioned couple is quite patient and understanding. I will be making yet another trip to the DMV to remedy this little error and they are going to buy it next weekend.
Ways In Which Other People Are Controlling My Life
1. I went to register the new car the other day. Later than the 21 days required because we were waiting for some documentation. The guy told us he would issue another bill of sale for the day we got the required paperwork, but somehow that didn't happen. Anyway. I rush away from school so that I can stand around at the DMV waiting for my number to be called (apparently our DMV office only offers appointments in the middle of the freakin' weekday - something I can't accomplish) only to be told that the paperwork he provided did not actually do what it was supposed to do. So I wrote a check for $1,600 and got nothing in return. Well, nothing except the job of attempting to track this guy down and get the papers that we actually need. As of this moment, he hasn't returned our phone call or replied to our email. Bastard. Oh! And I get to make another exciting trip to the DMV. Whoo hoo! And, of course, since the vehicle isn't registered, I can't drive it. :(
2. In our district we are working under an expired contract while our district officials and union reps try to hash out the details of the new contract. The district is being decidedly pig-headed about the amount of money they have available. No. That isn't true. I am sure they really have the amount they say they do, but that is mostly because they spend the money that comes in as fast as they can to avoid having to give it to us. If I were a parent in this district I would be concerned about the corner cutting and worse that happens in the name of "economy". Many of the teachers in our district responded to the crapstounding offer we received on Thursday morning by having a sick-out on Friday. Two of our highschools had to send their students home at 10:30 because none of the teachers showed up. Somehow they managed to keep them long enough to get it to count towards a half day, though. Thousands of students being crammed into the gym and "monitored" by the few subs who didn't know better than to take the jobs all for the sake of a half-day's worth of attendance money. I shudder at the thought of what might have happened. So the district is currently holding my raise hostage, the union is (rightly, I think) holding out for a better offer that may or may not come, possibly resulting in more work-to-rule or worse, and I am stuck in the middle just hoping that no matter what happens I can manage to eek through the downsizing and keep my job for next year. It's enough to make my head hurt.
3. (This one is really my fault, but I am going to whine anyway. Sorry.) We found a nice couple with a bunch of highschool aged kids who are interested in buying the Escort. We were getting it all ready for the final transaction when we looked at the registration and realized that it said "non-transferable". Suddenly, I remembered how I had registered the car without a title when I first came to CA because I was waiting for a duplicate title from WI. I was supposed to go in and fix things when it arrived. Since it didn't prevent me from driving the car (only selling it), I somehow never got around to it and eventually forgot all about it. Argh. Fortunately, the aforementioned couple is quite patient and understanding. I will be making yet another trip to the DMV to remedy this little error and they are going to buy it next weekend.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Sexy or Sick?
Last night, I watched Secretary. For those who haven't heard of it, this is a movie about a woman, recently released from a mental hospital where they tried to teach her not to cut on herself when life got rough, and a lawyer who looses all his secretaries after he spanks them. When the masochist in her meets the sadist in him...well, it's like a match made in heaven. Or it would be if they weren't so caught up in feeling guilty and wrong for their feelings. I watched it a saw a very romantic love story with an extra layer of kinky to make it more interesting. Mikey was a little more disturbed by the whole thing.
I understand where he's coming from...in another situation she would be an abused woman and he would be an abusing man. But they are both getting exactly what they want from the relationship. Not only that, but they are both more capable of living the rest of their lives in a wholesome, mental-healthy kind of way when their partner provides what is needed to keep balanced. At least that is how I saw it. Like I said, others disagreed. I would be interested in hearing what you thought if you have seen it (or see it in the near future).
I understand where he's coming from...in another situation she would be an abused woman and he would be an abusing man. But they are both getting exactly what they want from the relationship. Not only that, but they are both more capable of living the rest of their lives in a wholesome, mental-healthy kind of way when their partner provides what is needed to keep balanced. At least that is how I saw it. Like I said, others disagreed. I would be interested in hearing what you thought if you have seen it (or see it in the near future).
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Organized!
We have completely reorganized and cleaned the office today. Mikey is working on a new "Getting Things Done" system and I am just a neat freak. We went through all the filing and everything. Amazing folks, we are. It looks so nice and new in here. Whoo hoo!
Monday, January 02, 2006
Shoulda
Things I shoulda done today:
*finish cleaning the house
*finish putting up the gutters
*start the backlog of grading
*planned the next few weeks of school
*written thank you notes
Things I actually did today:
*slept in
*worked out
*did laundry (good girl!)
*played Zoo Tycoon
*started knitting a hat
I am slightly disturbed by the fact that I have not done the work I need to do to prepare for tomorrow's return to school. I can only justify it by saying that I work WAY more than my expected hours on the days that I am actually working. I am not going to give up one of my vacation days to do the same. Or something like that. Just call me the High Priestess of the Order of Procrastinators.
*finish cleaning the house
*finish putting up the gutters
*start the backlog of grading
*planned the next few weeks of school
*written thank you notes
Things I actually did today:
*slept in
*worked out
*did laundry (good girl!)
*played Zoo Tycoon
*started knitting a hat
I am slightly disturbed by the fact that I have not done the work I need to do to prepare for tomorrow's return to school. I can only justify it by saying that I work WAY more than my expected hours on the days that I am actually working. I am not going to give up one of my vacation days to do the same. Or something like that. Just call me the High Priestess of the Order of Procrastinators.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
2005 in 24
Idea snagged from The Mayfly Project
Here's my year in 24 words...
2005
anza. home improvements. open space.
teach. fifth grade. mature but fragile. challenging.
healing. aunt. dad. brother. cousin.
growing. family. patience. hope. love. peace.
me.
And my previous years (Have they changed the word number or was I just oblivious the last two years? Don't know, but I only did 20 words for these.)...
2004
Things coming together. Family. Friends. Life.
Accidental balance. Coincidental joy.
Finding Peace within. Fighting Hate without.
Hope. Love. Growth. Bonsai.
2003
Husband. Love. Laughter.
Teach. Overwhelmed. Growth. Capable. Joy.
War. Anger. Sorrow. Vegetarian.
Family. Distance. Tears.
Cats. Housework. Inner Calm. Perfect.
I would be quite interested in hearing your 24 word summation. Put it (or a link) in the comments if you're interested in sharing.
Here's my year in 24 words...
2005
anza. home improvements. open space.
teach. fifth grade. mature but fragile. challenging.
healing. aunt. dad. brother. cousin.
growing. family. patience. hope. love. peace.
me.
And my previous years (Have they changed the word number or was I just oblivious the last two years? Don't know, but I only did 20 words for these.)...
2004
Things coming together. Family. Friends. Life.
Accidental balance. Coincidental joy.
Finding Peace within. Fighting Hate without.
Hope. Love. Growth. Bonsai.
2003
Husband. Love. Laughter.
Teach. Overwhelmed. Growth. Capable. Joy.
War. Anger. Sorrow. Vegetarian.
Family. Distance. Tears.
Cats. Housework. Inner Calm. Perfect.
I would be quite interested in hearing your 24 word summation. Put it (or a link) in the comments if you're interested in sharing.
For Grandma
While talking to my grandma recently, she mentioned that she was looking for the pictures of my house that I posted when we moved in. For some strange reason, the permanent link to that post is being, well, less than permanent. Here's what you need to do to see those pictures...
1. Find the "Archives" in the right sidebar of my blog.
2. Click on the one that says "July 2005".
3. Scroll until you find July 20th and a post entitled "Now That the House has Been Warmed".
Please note that I have since rearranged the living room and dining room areas. New pictures will be posted when (and if) I get around to taking them. Enjoy!
1. Find the "Archives" in the right sidebar of my blog.
2. Click on the one that says "July 2005".
3. Scroll until you find July 20th and a post entitled "Now That the House has Been Warmed".
Please note that I have since rearranged the living room and dining room areas. New pictures will be posted when (and if) I get around to taking them. Enjoy!
A Very Very Very Fine House
When I am working, I leave home at 7 am (or earlier) and return sometime after 5 pm. I spend my time at home grading papers, doing chores, or sleeping. There is very little time left over for anything else, but I am pretty okay with that. I like my job and find it rewarding enough to keep on keeping on, mostly because it provides me with ample vacation time for rejuvination.
When I am on vacation, I like to stay at home. I sometimes go days without setting foot outside. Within these walls are all the things I need - food, comfort, entertainment, and Mikey. If my cupboards are stocked and my bookshelves filled, I am perfectly content.
Of course, the main reason I can be so happy within these 1800 square feet is that my time here is so limited. And so I look forward to my return to school, partly because it means I am that much closer to the next time I can curl up in my chair, crank up the music, and read until my butt is numb!
When I am on vacation, I like to stay at home. I sometimes go days without setting foot outside. Within these walls are all the things I need - food, comfort, entertainment, and Mikey. If my cupboards are stocked and my bookshelves filled, I am perfectly content.
Of course, the main reason I can be so happy within these 1800 square feet is that my time here is so limited. And so I look forward to my return to school, partly because it means I am that much closer to the next time I can curl up in my chair, crank up the music, and read until my butt is numb!
Making Space for the New Year
Is there anyone else out there who feels compelled to clean around the New Year? Every New Year's Day finds me scrubbing floors and dusting shelves and cleaning out corners of my house to which I normally turn a blind eye. There is something about starting the year off neat and tidy that feels right to me.
Speaking of the new year, the other day I was thinking that it would be a good practice to choose something you would like to have more of or improve on in the new year and make sure you are doing that thing as the clock ticks over to 12:01 on January first. I just had the feeling that the powers that be are watching and seeing what you find important at such a powerful time. Of course, I then forgot that I had thought that and found myself driving when 2006 made its big debut. I'm not really crazy about the thought of more driving - although the Jetta does make it more enjoyable.
Finally, New Year's is the time for goals and resolutions. I have yet to formally write them out, but my goals definitely include finishing (or making good progress on) my masters program, making sure that I am working in a job that makes me happy (there is potential for change at my school that will require that I think carefully before making any decisions), and continuing to work on home improvements - including, but not limited to building a garden, planting fruit trees, completing the gutter work, and doing something about the nasty ruts in our driveway.
What about you? What are your plans for 2006?
Speaking of the new year, the other day I was thinking that it would be a good practice to choose something you would like to have more of or improve on in the new year and make sure you are doing that thing as the clock ticks over to 12:01 on January first. I just had the feeling that the powers that be are watching and seeing what you find important at such a powerful time. Of course, I then forgot that I had thought that and found myself driving when 2006 made its big debut. I'm not really crazy about the thought of more driving - although the Jetta does make it more enjoyable.
Finally, New Year's is the time for goals and resolutions. I have yet to formally write them out, but my goals definitely include finishing (or making good progress on) my masters program, making sure that I am working in a job that makes me happy (there is potential for change at my school that will require that I think carefully before making any decisions), and continuing to work on home improvements - including, but not limited to building a garden, planting fruit trees, completing the gutter work, and doing something about the nasty ruts in our driveway.
What about you? What are your plans for 2006?
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