Cat person
I now know, how people become obsessed with their pets. I remember growing up, it was rumored this one weird, crazy lady had hundreds of cats. I have no idea if it is true or not. I was a teenager, hearing it from other teenagers. Anyway, the point is. I really like this cat.
He came to us in the late fall, tiny and skinny. He even won Jared over, who had declared NO MORE PETS. It was a time, when we were at our lowest emotionally. Well, I was at least. Money was tight, so tight it was pretty much non existent. There were problems with the house is Riley. Problems beyond the fact it wasn't selling. Work was hard to find. No solution in the future. But, we had our family. The kids were happy. And we had this new kitten. If we hadn't relocated, we wouldn't of gotten this wonderful kitten. Oh, the family is great too!
I'd bring him inside, and just pet him for hours. If I came home grumpy from work (I know, shocking I would be grumpy), Jared would bring me Harry. I spent hours, sitting outside on the deck, petting him. When I take care of the dogs in the morning and evening, or burn the trash, I carry Harry around. He greets me first thing in the morning. He greets me when I come home from work. He keeps Dagny company all day long. He's even made friends with the other stray cats, of whom we are NOT feeding or keeping. He tolerates Ladybug.
He calms me instantly. He purrs nicely in my ear. He cuddles under my chin when I pick him up.
I really like this cat.
Print This Post
Sick Day
My littlest boy got sick yesterday, and had to leave school early. My wonderful co-workers helped fill in the gap I left, and made it no problem to leave. It was the first time at this job, that I have asked for help from so many people, and was just so thrilled, that no one hesitated, and help was provided. I do a lot of mental comparing my last job to my current job. I made wonderful friends at the last job and was a tough one to live up to. It just really pleased me, to receive the help, without hesitation, so I could bring Jonas home.
Jonas and I watched some 1970's game shows, always a good way to spend a sick day. He's a kid that is typically FULL of energy. He doesn't stop moving. So, laying on this sofa is hard for him. He tends to get up, and start jumping up and down with excitment during different moments in the tv shows. He's trying hard to lay still. He's home again today, due to school policies, but is doing much better. He should be up and ready to play tomorrow, when his cousin comes over.
I took this photo of him, but realized I had some dirty socks on the floor. Rather than going and picking them up, and taking a new photo, I just photoshopped them out. I've never enjoyed cleaning house more!
Print This Post
Thanksgiving feast number two
So, today's feast was at work. The students' parents made it, the kids dressed like little pilgrams, and I got a GREAT meal. I stuffed myself. That doesn't happen at work. The parents out did themselves.
Only two meals left! I just *LOVE* this time of year! (no sarcasm! Really.. I'm loving it)
Print This Post
Bikes
I got the boys' bikes out of storage, and brought them to the house, where they can spend hours riding around fields of green. Jonas never got around to learning how to ride his bike, so he's working hard. Confidence is all he lacks at this point.
I had an interview this morning. I think it went quite nicely. I even discovered the McDonald's in Smithville has FREE wifi. Spotty, but free. I've spent the last hour trying to email 10 documents to the realtor... with different levels of success.
Print This Post
One more day
One more day of high speed internet. Then I go to the land of dial up. I can handle it though. I have been looking around myself, trying to decide what I can live without for two months, and what I cannot. As a pack rat, this is tricky for me. I did manage to pull myself away from this lovely fast internet and pack up all of my papers out of the living room. All that is left there, is furniture, Jared's stuff (which he's in charge of), and video games. Video games get their own box, it's waiting in the laundry room. The kids don't know that we're taking it with us. They'll be happy. It will be an easy "babysitter" for when they're getting a bit to wound up.
Next is the dining room. That's mostly piano music. One box. I'm slowly working my way through the house.
We are waiting anxiously for a phone call. Jared had a job interview last Thursday that went *great*. He thought they might call yesterday, they didn't. Hopefully they'll call today. If he gets this job, it will take a lot of pressure off.
I put in several applications last Friday. Many things I was over qualified for. I left my master's off of one application. I can understand why people don't want over qualified. Maybe one of those people will call me.
Print This Post
Wanted: My Balloon
This Wednesday was para appreciation day. It did not fail to amuse any of the paras, that this was on April Fool's Day. The teachers and principal treated us to a one hour lunch at the local pizza place. Very nice of them. Then, today, at the Friday morning assembly we were told to attend, and we were each given a balloon with a sonic gift card attached to it. My balloon said "You Rock." Indeed I do.
The balloon made it to the minivan great. I stopped to get the mail, opened the door, and the balloon wooshed right out, and blew away. I chased it for a long ways, but never caught it. My balloon and gift card are gone.
Here is how I felt.
I know I still rock though.
Print This Post
Much better…
I went to work today, filled with decongestant and cough medicine. So, most of the day I was in a fog, but still did my job, quite well. Now, that I'm home, the medicine has worn off, and I'm not doing too bad! A bit of energy left, no coughs. Life is getting grand. I plan on continuing to ignore the mess around me, as to not overdo it, and make myself get worse again. But, all in all, I think I'm doing a-okay again!
And my students missed me. Always good to feel appreciated. 
Print This Post
Fineto
I did it. I posted every day for the month of November. Some of the posts were not very meaningful, but they were still posts.
Today was going to be a bit more meaningful, the end of a month, the end of Thanksgiving, the approach of Christmas (but not until after Jared's birthday, of course). But, instead, I'm going to tell you, how excited I am. I have been looking for New York Cheesecake Hershey's kisses for a year. They are heavenly. I even bought a bag to take to work, to share with the lovely ladies there. Heavenly.
Print This Post
Republican state
The day before the election, the social studies class I work in had a mock election. By far, the majority of the kids voted for McCain. Most, when stating their reasons, stated, it was because their parents were voting for McCain. Very age appropriate, I understand. But, then we started talking about the issues. They got a nice article from a kids magazine that put the election in simplified terms. It had candidate A and candidate B. They read through their positions on some of the more popular issues, debated them, and then voted again, for A or B. After most of the students went to B, they were told, that B was Obama. The reactions on many of their faces was priceless. It was pointed out to them, that they should look at the issues, not who the person was.
Today, this same age group was up in arms. The classroom was buzzing with negativity. I heard multiple teachers explain, that the majority voted for Obama. That he not only won the electoral college, but also the popular vote. That they need to give him a chance.
Race was discussed. Some of the students just finished reading Through My Eyes. This same group of students that agree that it was terrible what one six year old had to endure 40 years ago, were told to think of this situation in the same light. What will we think 40 years from now, when we look back?
Print This Post
Food planning committee
While at work on Thursday, one of Alex's classmates came up to me, and explained that she, Alex and some other kids were on the food planning committee for their class' fall party, and could I please make Surprise Cookies for the party. I told her absolutely I could, then asked, why didn't Alex ask me. She shrugged, told me she had no idea, then agreed with me, that Alex should be in BIG trouble for not asking himself.
Yesterday, while grocery shopping, I told Alex about this conversation. He smiled shyly, and asked "So you'll make them?" Although, he's changed his mind, and now wants Ooey Gooey Butter Bars*. I told him, that I should probably stick with the Surprise Cookies, since his friend requested them first, and she even remembered to ask.
*I got this recipe from Jamie, not Paula Deen. But, Jamie doesn't feature it on her blog, so you'll have to get the recipe from Paula Deen instead.
Print This Post