It was such a great night at work tonight. The kids were so great. They were so excited to be there, which is nice. Marcus, Skyler, Alexander and Haleigh are finally back from their grandma's, so it was nice having them at the center again!
My girls both got babysitting jobs for the summer. They are making $200 a week! I didn't make that kind of money when I was 15 and 16. Then again, minimum wage back then was like $3.65 or something crazy like that. Kayla is happy because it was this or working at Dunkin Donuts all summer.
We have staff day tomorrow at work. I like staff day. It is kind of like teacher in-service days. In fact, it is JUST like teacher in-service days. Iona won't be there. Her mother-in-law's sister passed aways suddenly. She was 93 (I think). So she'll be in Portland for the funeral. Carl may or may not be there for staff day. He's taken some sick leave and I hope things are going okay! Staff day looks to be boring without the two of them!
Tanya and her husband are having some trouble finding a house in their price range. I really hope things work out for them!
Okay, I have to get to bed. I have some reading and movie watching to get to. I don't have to be at the ranch until 8:30 AM. Church tomorrow night.
I'll catch y'all later!
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Tuesday
I can't believe it is Tuesday. It feels like Monday. Another beautiful day. What a great weekend weather-wise. Restful and entertainment-wise, too! :) Today is definitely a beach day and someday, when I am teaching English is a high school somewhere, I will have summers off again. Summers off to travel, lay in the sun and play with my kids, although the kids in this dream will probably be my grandkids by that time! :) Maybe not. Maybe I'll have another one or at least adopt.
The girls and I are figuring out what we want to do with our "free time" when Zach is gone this summer. We want to sign up for some kind of karate class. We are also going to go go-karting every Friday night. (I'm only writing the go-karting part because Zach is reading this over my shoulder.) The look on his face was priceless when he read it, too!
Current Mood: great
Current Music: Nothing Compares.......Third Day
The girls and I are figuring out what we want to do with our "free time" when Zach is gone this summer. We want to sign up for some kind of karate class. We are also going to go go-karting every Friday night. (I'm only writing the go-karting part because Zach is reading this over my shoulder.) The look on his face was priceless when he read it, too!
Current Mood: great
Current Music: Nothing Compares.......Third Day
Monday, May 29, 2006
Weekend Wrap-up
A great weekend. My only regret being unable to get to Massachusetts to visit my grandfather's grave. He was a WWII veteren of the Air Force. I miss him so much. I cried at least once every day for the first year after his death. After two years, I was okay unless I talked about him. Now, after 8 years, I can talk and laugh about him without crying. I can't believe it has been 8 years. 8 years since I've heard the "you were the most beautiful baby" story. I heard this story almost everyday of my young life because I saw him almost everyday of my young life. The last time I saw him at the hospital, he told me the story about the first time he saw me. I was one of those lucky little girls who had two wonderful grandfathers, one who is still alive. But this grandfather in particular, Grandpop, picked me as his favorite grandchild. It is wonderful being someone's favorite.
We're having taco salad for supper tonight. We not terribly hungry. We ate a lot at Desaraye's party. After, we spent the afternoon and early evening in the pool. I missed Tanya's call! We were in the pool and I didn't have the phone outside. I called her back, though, so I hope she got my message!
Tomorrow is supposed to be gorgeous again, too, so I will get a little more sun before working tomorrow night. Wednesday, we have a staff day. That will be fun. I like staff days.
Zach wanted to play with his 4-year old cousin Tajin today at the house and in the pool, so I said, "Okay, but you're watching him." They played all afternoon and then Zach came down to ask when he could take him home. I told him that whenever he was ready to bring him home, to do so. He comes downstairs a few minutes later. "Oh great," says Zach (in the way only Zach can say it), "he says he never wants to go home!" "Well," I say, "say hi to your new brother!" Zach finally talked him into taking a walk and he walked him home.
We're having taco salad for supper tonight. We not terribly hungry. We ate a lot at Desaraye's party. After, we spent the afternoon and early evening in the pool. I missed Tanya's call! We were in the pool and I didn't have the phone outside. I called her back, though, so I hope she got my message!
Tomorrow is supposed to be gorgeous again, too, so I will get a little more sun before working tomorrow night. Wednesday, we have a staff day. That will be fun. I like staff days.
Zach wanted to play with his 4-year old cousin Tajin today at the house and in the pool, so I said, "Okay, but you're watching him." They played all afternoon and then Zach came down to ask when he could take him home. I told him that whenever he was ready to bring him home, to do so. He comes downstairs a few minutes later. "Oh great," says Zach (in the way only Zach can say it), "he says he never wants to go home!" "Well," I say, "say hi to your new brother!" Zach finally talked him into taking a walk and he walked him home.
Memorial Day 2006
I am so glad I have another day off. Kayla and I got way too much sun yesterday. We spent the day in the pool. Zach was at Dakota's for a bit and then he came home to go swimming, too. It has been a nice busy weekend, but not straight out busy. We had time to relax, too. I am going to a party at Desaraye's at noon today.
Bruce Willis is on The View today. He is a cutie. He's on a lifetime speedo ban! :) One of my absolute favorite movies is "The Story of Us" with him and Michelle Pfiefer.
After the party, I am going to finish straightening up and light some candles and read, read, read! I bought a bunch of new books to add to the list of many that I have yet to read.
Current Mood: Happy
Current Music: Renegade..........Styx
Bruce Willis is on The View today. He is a cutie. He's on a lifetime speedo ban! :) One of my absolute favorite movies is "The Story of Us" with him and Michelle Pfiefer.
After the party, I am going to finish straightening up and light some candles and read, read, read! I bought a bunch of new books to add to the list of many that I have yet to read.
Current Mood: Happy
Current Music: Renegade..........Styx
Sunday, May 28, 2006
For Eric
No need to apologize, Eric. Your battle with God is just that, YOURS. I just know you. I hold highly intelligent people in great esteem, as I considered myself one of them, and I pride myself on having very smart friends. It is probably most hard for science-minded people to just believe. But I also know and believe your stories about your life after death experiences you've had with your grandmother. Why did she have to die? Why did your bird have to die? Why is your grandfather dying? Well, everyone dies. That is a given. But your soul doesn't have to. I also knew Jane and is tragic for her child to have lost its mother, but I also know a mother's daily prayer is "Please God, do not let me outlive my children." I know a young couple at church, who 2 weeks ago, put their two-month old daughter down to sleep and she never woke up. You just never know. Not in any bible of any religion will you find a phrase close to "Life is easy." People are going to go through hard times regardless if God is in their life or not. So the choice is to go through the pain and hard times alone or go through them with Someone who does love you above anyone else.
I fought with Jim and fought with Jim on buying into this stuff. He loved me enough to put his pride aside and risk me making fun of him, like I did, to try and save me. I know these beliefs are not popular and I know your thoughts on the subject, but I love you enough to try. You battle with anxiety, with your manic episodes, with your other fears...why do you think that is?
And there are bad people who do indeed hide behind Christianity, but why blame the whole for just a few? I follow one person and one person only. Jesus was the most poor man that ever walked this earth. Our entire calendar is based on his very existence. Not one man has been more talked about since his birth 2000 years ago. None of that was good enough for me to believe. I needed proof that he was the son of God. I needed proof that there even is a God. My proof is me. I knew it would take a god to change me. It took an act of God to turn my life around. It took an act of God to even get me to blog about Him.
When I was first entertaining the thought of getting saved, I remember I asked Jim about what people would think. He said something that still strikes a chord with me when I think about it. He said, "I thought you were one of those few people that didn't care what people think. I guess I was wrong."
Anyway, as always, I enjoy our philosophical talks. Heaven is the ulitmate bomb shelter and I want you there.
I fought with Jim and fought with Jim on buying into this stuff. He loved me enough to put his pride aside and risk me making fun of him, like I did, to try and save me. I know these beliefs are not popular and I know your thoughts on the subject, but I love you enough to try. You battle with anxiety, with your manic episodes, with your other fears...why do you think that is?
And there are bad people who do indeed hide behind Christianity, but why blame the whole for just a few? I follow one person and one person only. Jesus was the most poor man that ever walked this earth. Our entire calendar is based on his very existence. Not one man has been more talked about since his birth 2000 years ago. None of that was good enough for me to believe. I needed proof that he was the son of God. I needed proof that there even is a God. My proof is me. I knew it would take a god to change me. It took an act of God to turn my life around. It took an act of God to even get me to blog about Him.
When I was first entertaining the thought of getting saved, I remember I asked Jim about what people would think. He said something that still strikes a chord with me when I think about it. He said, "I thought you were one of those few people that didn't care what people think. I guess I was wrong."
Anyway, as always, I enjoy our philosophical talks. Heaven is the ulitmate bomb shelter and I want you there.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Concert Update
The concert was fantastic, although much too short.
I couldn't get any pictures of my cute guy. WHY??? Because he decided to sit directly in back of me again. I couldn't turn around and take his picture without being rather obvious what I was doing. When he walked into the church, I could feel a hush go over the crowd and all the girls were sitting in anticipation over who he would decide to sit near...I looked up and there he was in front of me, then going around me to sit behind us. Ken looked at him and looked at me and then I looked at Jim and it was a very weird moment.
I can't believe I am too chicken to talk to him! I even talked to everyone tonight and I couldn't talk to him. I don't want him to think I don't like him. Hopefully God will fix this situation at church tomorrow.
The kids and I had supper at the Texas Roadhouse after the show and then we bought $20 worth of books at Goodwill.
Now, I am going to watch the rest of my movies and read before bed.
Current Mood: happy
Current music: Wish You Were Here........Paul Clark
I couldn't get any pictures of my cute guy. WHY??? Because he decided to sit directly in back of me again. I couldn't turn around and take his picture without being rather obvious what I was doing. When he walked into the church, I could feel a hush go over the crowd and all the girls were sitting in anticipation over who he would decide to sit near...I looked up and there he was in front of me, then going around me to sit behind us. Ken looked at him and looked at me and then I looked at Jim and it was a very weird moment.
I can't believe I am too chicken to talk to him! I even talked to everyone tonight and I couldn't talk to him. I don't want him to think I don't like him. Hopefully God will fix this situation at church tomorrow.
The kids and I had supper at the Texas Roadhouse after the show and then we bought $20 worth of books at Goodwill.
Now, I am going to watch the rest of my movies and read before bed.
Current Mood: happy
Current music: Wish You Were Here........Paul Clark
Texas Roadhouse
After the concert. Supper at Texas Roadhouse. Kayla and Zach love this restaurant. I look stoned!
GodSword Band
This is our church. The guy in the green shirt and khakis is Ken...the lead singer of GodSword and our senior pastor.
May 27, 2006
My house smells like fresh cut lilacs! The kids cut a whole bunch down and put some in vases all over the house. They smell so good. Lilacs on one of my most favorite flowers. Sweet Peas are good, peonies and daisys. Gardenias and orchids are pretty, too.
Concert day has arrived! I am so excited. I have my camera ready.
Talk about sleeping in! The kids and I did not wake up until 10 AM!! I can't remember the last time I slept in like that. I was asleep by 10 PM last night, but I guess I needed it. My morning routine has been a bit rushed, but that is okay.
It is 80 degrees already. HUMID! I am not complaining. You will never hear me complain about things being too hot, but I have to say, I don't like that feeling when you are out of the shower and you still feel damp. The good thing about the heavy air is that the smell of the flowers hangs around longer.
I rented some movies last night. Southern Belles. That was a cute movie. The Perfect Man...another cute one. Dick...because it is one of my favorites and I don't own it and Kayla's never seen it.....and Surrender Dorothy. I plan on watching that one tonight. It was a chick flick night and Kayla and I had fun watching movies that Zach would not be interested in!
A very cute guy moved in next door! He looks like an Americanized middle Easterner. Long camo skateboard shorts, flip flops, longish curly hair...great tan, fantastic smile. He was on his cell phone in our driveway this morning when I got up to go get my latte. He smiled and waved. I'll find out all about him when I go over to pay my rent.
Okay, I have to go tanning. I'll blog with concert pics later! :)
Current Mood: fantastic
Current Music: Everything.......Lifehouse
Concert day has arrived! I am so excited. I have my camera ready.
Talk about sleeping in! The kids and I did not wake up until 10 AM!! I can't remember the last time I slept in like that. I was asleep by 10 PM last night, but I guess I needed it. My morning routine has been a bit rushed, but that is okay.
It is 80 degrees already. HUMID! I am not complaining. You will never hear me complain about things being too hot, but I have to say, I don't like that feeling when you are out of the shower and you still feel damp. The good thing about the heavy air is that the smell of the flowers hangs around longer.
I rented some movies last night. Southern Belles. That was a cute movie. The Perfect Man...another cute one. Dick...because it is one of my favorites and I don't own it and Kayla's never seen it.....and Surrender Dorothy. I plan on watching that one tonight. It was a chick flick night and Kayla and I had fun watching movies that Zach would not be interested in!
A very cute guy moved in next door! He looks like an Americanized middle Easterner. Long camo skateboard shorts, flip flops, longish curly hair...great tan, fantastic smile. He was on his cell phone in our driveway this morning when I got up to go get my latte. He smiled and waved. I'll find out all about him when I go over to pay my rent.
Okay, I have to go tanning. I'll blog with concert pics later! :)
Current Mood: fantastic
Current Music: Everything.......Lifehouse
Friday, May 26, 2006
Friday!
A beautiful day! It is clouding over now. Looks like we'll have a thunder shower. I'm babysitting Lexi and Cody tonight. Not exactly what I had planned on doing, but Hayley volunteered. Actually she is the one babysitting, just in my house. Zach is go-carting with his friend Dakota.
Tanya is going to call this weekend! That is cool.
The concert is tomorrow afternoon. Sunday is supposed to be gorgeous! I can't wait.
Okay, I have to go tanning, go to Movie Gallery and rent some movies, pick up some groceries and call it a night. I am exhausted.
Current Mood: Excellent
Current Music: I'm watching Friends.
Tanya is going to call this weekend! That is cool.
The concert is tomorrow afternoon. Sunday is supposed to be gorgeous! I can't wait.
Okay, I have to go tanning, go to Movie Gallery and rent some movies, pick up some groceries and call it a night. I am exhausted.
Current Mood: Excellent
Current Music: I'm watching Friends.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Happy Thursday
Another beautiful day. Sunday is supposed to be gorgeous. Another week almost over. Tomorrow is Friday. I am so ready for the weekend! The kids and I are going shopping tomorrow. We're going to Border's and probably the mall. Just hanging out together. We only have 3 weeks left with Zach, so we're going to make the most of it. He leaves 3 weeks from tomorrow.
It will be so good to sleep in on Saturday. I desperately need an extra hour or two. Maybe even just a few minutes of being able to just lay there, without having to get up and rush the kids around getting ready.
The Godsword concert is on Saturday. I can hardly contain myself! I am so excited! I'll try to sneak some pictures of the two guys at church that I think are cute just for you Tanya! :) I got quite a few women laughing at the retreat. Obviously, our church does not promote premarital sex and this is one of many areas I struggle with, although, after Brian, I really am not interested in sleeping with anyone now, ever again, but I digress. Anyway, I was like, "I get this, but there are some things I need to know BEFORE I sign my name...like I am opposed to back hair and tight white underwear...it is kind of difficult to find those things out without sleeping with them." The ladies decided that I will bring a questionaire along with me on dates! Like, "#1. Body-waxing...Friend or Foe? #2. Boxers or Briefs...if Boxers are checked, move on to next question. If briefs are checked, this is the end of the test, unless, briefs are checked because your large parts need the extra support, then immediately sign your name at the bottom, with most recent pay stub and a copy of your tax return!" The funny thing is, Brian was incredibly hairy. And wore tight white underwear.
I am pretty sure the kids have a four-day weekend. I don't know if the City is giving us Monday AND Tuesday or just Monday off.
Current Mood: great
Current Music: So Far So Good.......Bryan Adams
It will be so good to sleep in on Saturday. I desperately need an extra hour or two. Maybe even just a few minutes of being able to just lay there, without having to get up and rush the kids around getting ready.
The Godsword concert is on Saturday. I can hardly contain myself! I am so excited! I'll try to sneak some pictures of the two guys at church that I think are cute just for you Tanya! :) I got quite a few women laughing at the retreat. Obviously, our church does not promote premarital sex and this is one of many areas I struggle with, although, after Brian, I really am not interested in sleeping with anyone now, ever again, but I digress. Anyway, I was like, "I get this, but there are some things I need to know BEFORE I sign my name...like I am opposed to back hair and tight white underwear...it is kind of difficult to find those things out without sleeping with them." The ladies decided that I will bring a questionaire along with me on dates! Like, "#1. Body-waxing...Friend or Foe? #2. Boxers or Briefs...if Boxers are checked, move on to next question. If briefs are checked, this is the end of the test, unless, briefs are checked because your large parts need the extra support, then immediately sign your name at the bottom, with most recent pay stub and a copy of your tax return!" The funny thing is, Brian was incredibly hairy. And wore tight white underwear.
I am pretty sure the kids have a four-day weekend. I don't know if the City is giving us Monday AND Tuesday or just Monday off.
Current Mood: great
Current Music: So Far So Good.......Bryan Adams
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Ficus Potty
I'm not sure what kind of Christians the hotel was expecting at this women's retreat, but I know I personally don't like peeing on a ficus. Now, a Nerium Oleander, maybe!
View From Our Balcony
The very beautiful Bar Harbor, Maine. In the distance is the road to the ferry. This was last Saturday.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
The Reason I May Never Date Again
Or how to NOT score with me....a recent chatting session with an ex-boyfriend......he is presently stationed in Afghanistan.
armyman2013: hey sexy
jennluvsgable: hey
armyman2013: how was your weekend at the retreat?
jennluvsgable: great
armyman2013: been thinkin about you
jennluvsgable: really
armyman2013: yes
jennluvsgable: about what?
armyman2013: wanting to be with you
armyman2013: how sexy i think you are
armyman2013: your eyes .... how good you look
jennluvsgable: thanks
armyman2013: hoping to see some pic soon
jennluvsgable: i'll try
armyman2013: that would be great
armyman2013: cant believe i am here for a year
jennluvsgable: it is a long time
armyman2013: yes
armyman2013: and no sex
armyman2013: this sucks
jennluvsgable: i guess
armyman2013: very lonely
jennluvsgable: sex seems to have a funny way of making you feel lonlier
armyman2013: yea
jennluvsgable: do you ever get the feeling like you might be doing thngs wrong?
armyman2013: in what way....
jennluvsgable: just relationships in general
armyman2013: yes
jennluvsgable: i've been thinking alot about it lately
armyman2013: really
jennluvsgable: yeah
jennluvsgable: it is almost like the same thing just repeats itself
armyman2013: yup
jennluvsgable: same story, just different players
armyman2013: sorry
jennluvsgable: about?
armyman2013: you have had problems
armyman2013: with relationships
jennluvsgable: no, that is just it...i don't stay long enough usually to have problems. you lasted what, 2 months?
jennluvsgable: i stay with it as long as it is fun
jennluvsgable: i never get too close
armyman2013: o
armyman2013: passion but not close
jennluvsgable: and i hate being alone
jennluvsgable: so i never am
armyman2013: yes
jennluvsgable: not lately...i'm talking about my life before
armyman2013: yes
jennluvsgable: like when brian and i broke up the first time and then i started seeing you
jennluvsgable: that was way too fast to start seeing anyone
jennluvsgable: i was pissed off at him and wanted to get over him as quick as possible
armyman2013: yes
jennluvsgable: brian and i have been on and off for the last 3 years, but i certainly don't wait around for him when we're "off"
armyman2013: yes
jennluvsgable: you sound like my therapist
armyman2013: dont want to do that
jennluvsgable: no, you don't
jennluvsgable: you and i barely even knew each other
armyman2013: i know..... but physically you totally turn me on
armyman2013: did right from the start
There has got to be more to my relationships than this. It has occured to me that I've never stopped dating the retarded football player that has taken too many hits to the head! Except Brian. He was the one who loved my bitchy, opinionated mouthiness above all else. I will never forget the look on his face the night I met him, after he guessed that my career was that of hairdresser. I was like, "I don't think so. I am a teacher. Nice try." Then he wanted the other girls to guess what he drove for a vehicle. They didn't guess it and in his Tim the Tool Man voice, he said, "I drive a GMC 2500 4 wheel drive club cab"...my response? "Of course, you do. You did say you were from Presque Isle. Isn't that what all the county boys drive?" I was soooo unimpressed. I miss plowing in the truck and I miss arguing politics with him. I miss his abrasive, completely faulty uber-Republican view that druggie Rush Limbaugh is king of kings. I just miss him.
armyman2013: hey sexy
jennluvsgable: hey
armyman2013: how was your weekend at the retreat?
jennluvsgable: great
armyman2013: been thinkin about you
jennluvsgable: really
armyman2013: yes
jennluvsgable: about what?
armyman2013: wanting to be with you
armyman2013: how sexy i think you are
armyman2013: your eyes .... how good you look
jennluvsgable: thanks
armyman2013: hoping to see some pic soon
jennluvsgable: i'll try
armyman2013: that would be great
armyman2013: cant believe i am here for a year
jennluvsgable: it is a long time
armyman2013: yes
armyman2013: and no sex
armyman2013: this sucks
jennluvsgable: i guess
armyman2013: very lonely
jennluvsgable: sex seems to have a funny way of making you feel lonlier
armyman2013: yea
jennluvsgable: do you ever get the feeling like you might be doing thngs wrong?
armyman2013: in what way....
jennluvsgable: just relationships in general
armyman2013: yes
jennluvsgable: i've been thinking alot about it lately
armyman2013: really
jennluvsgable: yeah
jennluvsgable: it is almost like the same thing just repeats itself
armyman2013: yup
jennluvsgable: same story, just different players
armyman2013: sorry
jennluvsgable: about?
armyman2013: you have had problems
armyman2013: with relationships
jennluvsgable: no, that is just it...i don't stay long enough usually to have problems. you lasted what, 2 months?
jennluvsgable: i stay with it as long as it is fun
jennluvsgable: i never get too close
armyman2013: o
armyman2013: passion but not close
jennluvsgable: and i hate being alone
jennluvsgable: so i never am
armyman2013: yes
jennluvsgable: not lately...i'm talking about my life before
armyman2013: yes
jennluvsgable: like when brian and i broke up the first time and then i started seeing you
jennluvsgable: that was way too fast to start seeing anyone
jennluvsgable: i was pissed off at him and wanted to get over him as quick as possible
armyman2013: yes
jennluvsgable: brian and i have been on and off for the last 3 years, but i certainly don't wait around for him when we're "off"
armyman2013: yes
jennluvsgable: you sound like my therapist
armyman2013: dont want to do that
jennluvsgable: no, you don't
jennluvsgable: you and i barely even knew each other
armyman2013: i know..... but physically you totally turn me on
armyman2013: did right from the start
There has got to be more to my relationships than this. It has occured to me that I've never stopped dating the retarded football player that has taken too many hits to the head! Except Brian. He was the one who loved my bitchy, opinionated mouthiness above all else. I will never forget the look on his face the night I met him, after he guessed that my career was that of hairdresser. I was like, "I don't think so. I am a teacher. Nice try." Then he wanted the other girls to guess what he drove for a vehicle. They didn't guess it and in his Tim the Tool Man voice, he said, "I drive a GMC 2500 4 wheel drive club cab"...my response? "Of course, you do. You did say you were from Presque Isle. Isn't that what all the county boys drive?" I was soooo unimpressed. I miss plowing in the truck and I miss arguing politics with him. I miss his abrasive, completely faulty uber-Republican view that druggie Rush Limbaugh is king of kings. I just miss him.
Tuesday Night
I have a meeting in the morning tomorrow. I sat outside in the sun for a little while today and I mowed the backyard today. I only did one load of laundry, though.
Cassidy and Courtney (two of the kids at the learning center ages 5 and 6) moved on the 20th. Of course, I left on the 18th, so I was upset today that I didn't get to say goodbye. Well, their mom had some stuff to finish up today, so the girls came to the learning center for hugs and kisses. They didn't want to leave before saying goodbye either. They aren't going far. Just another part of Bangor, so they will be able to visit. They are still friends with the families that live near the center.
It was a good night at the center. The kids were glad I was back and I made Pasta Alfredo for supper, along with some garlic bread.
Dawn is feeling better, so she and her little girl Alayna should be at the center tomorrow. Laynie is such a sweet little girl.
I visited Grandma this morning for a couple of hours. I went to get my coffee and then decided to go over there to check on her. I'm glad I did. I'm picking her up Sunday morning and bringing her to our church. She is excited. I didn't like the church she was going to and really felt like they were just after her money. I was surprised how quickly she changed her mind when I asked if she wanted me to pick her up Sunday. Usually she gives me the "no, I like my church" routine even when I argue that it seems way to cultish for my taste. I think our last conversation about it ended with me saying, "don't blame me when they pass out the purple Kool-Aid!"
Cassidy and Courtney (two of the kids at the learning center ages 5 and 6) moved on the 20th. Of course, I left on the 18th, so I was upset today that I didn't get to say goodbye. Well, their mom had some stuff to finish up today, so the girls came to the learning center for hugs and kisses. They didn't want to leave before saying goodbye either. They aren't going far. Just another part of Bangor, so they will be able to visit. They are still friends with the families that live near the center.
It was a good night at the center. The kids were glad I was back and I made Pasta Alfredo for supper, along with some garlic bread.
Dawn is feeling better, so she and her little girl Alayna should be at the center tomorrow. Laynie is such a sweet little girl.
I visited Grandma this morning for a couple of hours. I went to get my coffee and then decided to go over there to check on her. I'm glad I did. I'm picking her up Sunday morning and bringing her to our church. She is excited. I didn't like the church she was going to and really felt like they were just after her money. I was surprised how quickly she changed her mind when I asked if she wanted me to pick her up Sunday. Usually she gives me the "no, I like my church" routine even when I argue that it seems way to cultish for my taste. I think our last conversation about it ended with me saying, "don't blame me when they pass out the purple Kool-Aid!"
Yesterday's Screw-Up
I wrote yesterday's date at 5/23/06, all day and even started today off writing 5/24, not realizing that yesterday was the 22nd. Today is the 23rd. I'm back on track now.
Congratulations to Iona for her big BIG winnings at the slots and Happy Birthday. I'll bring her card and present in sometime this week, as I forgot her birthday was this weekend. Claire threw me off because she gave Iona her birthday card on May 9th.
I work at the learning center tonight. It will be nice to get back into my routine. After about two minutes with the kids, I'll feel like I haven't been gone at all.
Zach's field trip today is in Bar Harbor. Hayley's field trip on Friday is in BAR HARBOR! Kayla is too old for field trips anymore. She might have a trip to Spain if she keeps up with her Spanish. She went to Mexico with me. Of course, she was in my belly, so I doubt she remembers much of it! :)
I haven't said this lately. I LOVE my dog. She is still the sweetest girl around. She sleeps so peacefully it always makes me smile because I know she knows she is completely safe. I'm on the couch, blogging on my laptop and she is on the cushion next to me, sleeping. I'll get up in a minute to go get my latte, but first I have to go to bathroom and put on my contacts. When I get back, she'll be waiting at the door with her leash. She knows my routine and doesn't she hate it when I deviate from the plan and she has to spend a few hours in her kennel. I want to point out, she doesn't hate her kennel. She loves it and plays in and out of it all day, chasing the cats into it. What she hates is me walking out that door without her. She literally smiles from the front seat of the car when she is riding.
I am so grateful we haven't had the rain like a lot of New England. The sun even came out in Bar Harbor when it wasn't supposed to. Saturday was nice. Yesterday turned out quite nice. Next week, the weather will be warmer again, according to the forecast.
Well, I have to go get my drink, go to the bank, go tanning and do some laundry. Sierra likes errand days. She gets dog bisquits at the bank, the gas station, and when I go through drive-thrus. Spoiled, spoiled, spoiled!
Current Mood: sleepy
Current Music: Jennifer Knapp cd
Congratulations to Iona for her big BIG winnings at the slots and Happy Birthday. I'll bring her card and present in sometime this week, as I forgot her birthday was this weekend. Claire threw me off because she gave Iona her birthday card on May 9th.
I work at the learning center tonight. It will be nice to get back into my routine. After about two minutes with the kids, I'll feel like I haven't been gone at all.
Zach's field trip today is in Bar Harbor. Hayley's field trip on Friday is in BAR HARBOR! Kayla is too old for field trips anymore. She might have a trip to Spain if she keeps up with her Spanish. She went to Mexico with me. Of course, she was in my belly, so I doubt she remembers much of it! :)
I haven't said this lately. I LOVE my dog. She is still the sweetest girl around. She sleeps so peacefully it always makes me smile because I know she knows she is completely safe. I'm on the couch, blogging on my laptop and she is on the cushion next to me, sleeping. I'll get up in a minute to go get my latte, but first I have to go to bathroom and put on my contacts. When I get back, she'll be waiting at the door with her leash. She knows my routine and doesn't she hate it when I deviate from the plan and she has to spend a few hours in her kennel. I want to point out, she doesn't hate her kennel. She loves it and plays in and out of it all day, chasing the cats into it. What she hates is me walking out that door without her. She literally smiles from the front seat of the car when she is riding.
I am so grateful we haven't had the rain like a lot of New England. The sun even came out in Bar Harbor when it wasn't supposed to. Saturday was nice. Yesterday turned out quite nice. Next week, the weather will be warmer again, according to the forecast.
Well, I have to go get my drink, go to the bank, go tanning and do some laundry. Sierra likes errand days. She gets dog bisquits at the bank, the gas station, and when I go through drive-thrus. Spoiled, spoiled, spoiled!
Current Mood: sleepy
Current Music: Jennifer Knapp cd
Monday, May 22, 2006
May 22, 2006
I'm still feeling off since I've gotten back from my trip. Behind on sleep, I guess. Could be shell shock too! It was an emotionally profound experience and truly life defining. I think I am also off on my cleaning schedule and that has something to do with my discombobulated feelings. I did change my sheets and had a nice fresh bed to sleep in last night!
Zach is leaving June 16th. He is flying to Virginia to spend the summer with his dad. I'm not crazy about him flying alone. I'm not crazy about him being gone for 10 weeks. I'm not crazy about feeding his snake 10 times. Basil eats once a week. That would be one mouse a week.
I'm glad Monday is over. I don't think I will ever be fond of Mondays.
Zach is leaving June 16th. He is flying to Virginia to spend the summer with his dad. I'm not crazy about him flying alone. I'm not crazy about him being gone for 10 weeks. I'm not crazy about feeding his snake 10 times. Basil eats once a week. That would be one mouse a week.
I'm glad Monday is over. I don't think I will ever be fond of Mondays.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Brief Update
I will do a more thorough update tonight or tomorrow. My mind is still very fuzzy and overwhelmed with new thoughts and ideas.
The little mini-vaca was much needed. I haven't spent the night with my cousin Shawna since highschool. We roomed together. She is my father's niece and my mother babysat her everyday. Once we were school-aged, my mom watched her on vacations and in the summer everyday. She is a year younger than me, so there was me, Shawna, my sister and then my brother. In that order. We were the best of friends. So anyway, we used to talk all night long when we were kids and nothing has changed. The first night, I got 3 hours sleep. Friday night, I got 5 hours. Needless to say, when I got home yesterday, I checked my mail, hugged the kids, took out my contacts and we all went in my room to watch some movies. The kids were in the midst of a Buffy marathon and I promptly fell asleep and slept until 8 PM. A lovely 5 hour nap. I ate some cereal and read a little and was back to sleep by 10. I slept until 8 AM this morning. We missed morning church, but we'll go to tonight's evening service.
Anyone out there contemplating a women's retreat should be forewarned...expect little sleep...think summer camp. I don't know why I thought this would be restful. 300 hundred women doing what they do best...TALK! And cry. I think I've cried more in 3 days than I have probably ever. My sinuses and contacts will never be the same.
Rosemary Gallatin was our guest speaker. She is the funniest, sweetest and most strong 65+ year old woman I have ever met. She is very honest with her testimony and it was kind of like I met my future self I hope to be. She is still very beautiful so I can believe she was quite gorgeous when she was younger. Prior to getting saved, her husband was very abusive, she drank, she had two sons, two abortions, several affairs and had a hard time believing in God. Her own father had been sexually abusive. Just a long list of things she had to overcome. When I first met her, I thought to myself, this is the hippest grandmother I have ever met. I have finally met someone who I will be like, when I get old. Not some old stuffy Christian. For instance, after her masectomy, she and her husband were picking up some religious leader from Germany and his wife from the airport and they passed a Hooters. Her husband had a new ministry in Germany, so he's been gone 6-7 months a year. She is no longer the senior pastor's wife because he is no longer the senior pastor at their congregation. She didn't feel like a woman anymore because of her masectomy. She had been struggling with finding a new identity. She immediately started laughing and called her oldest son on her cell phone and said she found her calling...she was going to be a Hooter's girl! He said, "Oh, great idea Mom, and when they don't hire you, you can sue them for discrimination!" She also joked about when she had to go to the prosthetic shop. I will not do her jokes justice, so I won't even try. Just read her testimony in her book. She is a fascinating woman, even if you're not overly religious. She's also had a liver transplant this year. So many things she's had to overcome and she is still laughing! I do remember her telling us about her dining with her 4 oldest and dearest friends last weekend and she ordered her iced-tea and said, "Make it a double, like I used to drink my bourbon!"
The little mini-vaca was much needed. I haven't spent the night with my cousin Shawna since highschool. We roomed together. She is my father's niece and my mother babysat her everyday. Once we were school-aged, my mom watched her on vacations and in the summer everyday. She is a year younger than me, so there was me, Shawna, my sister and then my brother. In that order. We were the best of friends. So anyway, we used to talk all night long when we were kids and nothing has changed. The first night, I got 3 hours sleep. Friday night, I got 5 hours. Needless to say, when I got home yesterday, I checked my mail, hugged the kids, took out my contacts and we all went in my room to watch some movies. The kids were in the midst of a Buffy marathon and I promptly fell asleep and slept until 8 PM. A lovely 5 hour nap. I ate some cereal and read a little and was back to sleep by 10. I slept until 8 AM this morning. We missed morning church, but we'll go to tonight's evening service.
Anyone out there contemplating a women's retreat should be forewarned...expect little sleep...think summer camp. I don't know why I thought this would be restful. 300 hundred women doing what they do best...TALK! And cry. I think I've cried more in 3 days than I have probably ever. My sinuses and contacts will never be the same.
Rosemary Gallatin was our guest speaker. She is the funniest, sweetest and most strong 65+ year old woman I have ever met. She is very honest with her testimony and it was kind of like I met my future self I hope to be. She is still very beautiful so I can believe she was quite gorgeous when she was younger. Prior to getting saved, her husband was very abusive, she drank, she had two sons, two abortions, several affairs and had a hard time believing in God. Her own father had been sexually abusive. Just a long list of things she had to overcome. When I first met her, I thought to myself, this is the hippest grandmother I have ever met. I have finally met someone who I will be like, when I get old. Not some old stuffy Christian. For instance, after her masectomy, she and her husband were picking up some religious leader from Germany and his wife from the airport and they passed a Hooters. Her husband had a new ministry in Germany, so he's been gone 6-7 months a year. She is no longer the senior pastor's wife because he is no longer the senior pastor at their congregation. She didn't feel like a woman anymore because of her masectomy. She had been struggling with finding a new identity. She immediately started laughing and called her oldest son on her cell phone and said she found her calling...she was going to be a Hooter's girl! He said, "Oh, great idea Mom, and when they don't hire you, you can sue them for discrimination!" She also joked about when she had to go to the prosthetic shop. I will not do her jokes justice, so I won't even try. Just read her testimony in her book. She is a fascinating woman, even if you're not overly religious. She's also had a liver transplant this year. So many things she's had to overcome and she is still laughing! I do remember her telling us about her dining with her 4 oldest and dearest friends last weekend and she ordered her iced-tea and said, "Make it a double, like I used to drink my bourbon!"
Thursday, May 18, 2006
May 18, 2006
The weather turned out kind of nice yesterday! The sun was unexpected. I don't know how much of the state got to enjoy it. From the sound of things, southern Maine is getting nailed with rain. We've had a few showers, but nothing major yet. We did have a brief thundershower Tuesday night. That was cool. I like my rain with thunder and lightening.
I've been sneezing all morning. I am trying to get my stuff packed up. We're leaving today at 3:30. I won't be home until about 1 PM Saturday.
Church was fun last night. Wednesday nights are a little more intimate because most of the church only goes to one or two services on Sundays. I try to get on Wednesdays. It hasn't always worked out in the past, either because of a night class, or closing at the preschool, or other work. But the last few weeks, we've managed to make it.
Much to Ken's (our pastor) chagrin, I am going to see The Da Vinci Code Saturday night. Why? One, because I've already read the book and I'm excited to see it on the screen. Two, I love Tom Hanks and Ron Howard. If any two people can treat the book and subject with respect, I think it would be these two individuals. Three....because I enjoy FICTION! This is all the book was. A work of fiction. A work based loosely on facts, albeit geniusly interwoven. I don't feel that the book has diminished my faith in Christ. If anything, it prompted me to do my own research on the subject. Knowledge isn't always a bad thing. I question anyone who wants blind followers. In the Bible, it instructs to search for the answers and to test your faith and that He would always remain faithful, even though we might not think so at the time. I liken it to when my kids were little and wanted to do something that would put them in danger. As their loving parent, I said no, which led them to their telling me I was mean, unloving or just unfair. My reply? Tough. I love you and I know what is best for you. God doesn't even go that far. He lets us do the dangerous thing.
Last night, we studied Revelations:9...Kayla had forgotten her Bible and so I offered to let her look on with me...she looked at me and said, "I read chapter 9 last night." "Oh, excuse me, my precious one!" It was cute, though. How many 16 year old girls read the Bible before bed? And you know what? I let her read what she wants!
Other cute things...my niece Lexi turned 5 recently. When asked how old she is, she says, "Cinco de Mayo!" "No, Lexi, just cinco!" Also cute was a conversation between Zach, Joel and our faithful volunteer at the learning center, Amol, who is from India. Zach has been confused I guess, thinking Amol was Indian, as in native American...They were playing with the globe and Amol showed the boys were India was located. Zach says, "You mean, you're not from Nevada?" I don't know where he got the idea that Amol was from Nevada. Joel then says, "I've never even left Bangor." Zach says, "Not even to go to Veazie?" like Veazie is THE place to go in the state of Maine.
Funny kids. Okay, I've procrastinated long enough. Time to get back to packing and laundry.
I've been sneezing all morning. I am trying to get my stuff packed up. We're leaving today at 3:30. I won't be home until about 1 PM Saturday.
Church was fun last night. Wednesday nights are a little more intimate because most of the church only goes to one or two services on Sundays. I try to get on Wednesdays. It hasn't always worked out in the past, either because of a night class, or closing at the preschool, or other work. But the last few weeks, we've managed to make it.
Much to Ken's (our pastor) chagrin, I am going to see The Da Vinci Code Saturday night. Why? One, because I've already read the book and I'm excited to see it on the screen. Two, I love Tom Hanks and Ron Howard. If any two people can treat the book and subject with respect, I think it would be these two individuals. Three....because I enjoy FICTION! This is all the book was. A work of fiction. A work based loosely on facts, albeit geniusly interwoven. I don't feel that the book has diminished my faith in Christ. If anything, it prompted me to do my own research on the subject. Knowledge isn't always a bad thing. I question anyone who wants blind followers. In the Bible, it instructs to search for the answers and to test your faith and that He would always remain faithful, even though we might not think so at the time. I liken it to when my kids were little and wanted to do something that would put them in danger. As their loving parent, I said no, which led them to their telling me I was mean, unloving or just unfair. My reply? Tough. I love you and I know what is best for you. God doesn't even go that far. He lets us do the dangerous thing.
Last night, we studied Revelations:9...Kayla had forgotten her Bible and so I offered to let her look on with me...she looked at me and said, "I read chapter 9 last night." "Oh, excuse me, my precious one!" It was cute, though. How many 16 year old girls read the Bible before bed? And you know what? I let her read what she wants!
Other cute things...my niece Lexi turned 5 recently. When asked how old she is, she says, "Cinco de Mayo!" "No, Lexi, just cinco!" Also cute was a conversation between Zach, Joel and our faithful volunteer at the learning center, Amol, who is from India. Zach has been confused I guess, thinking Amol was Indian, as in native American...They were playing with the globe and Amol showed the boys were India was located. Zach says, "You mean, you're not from Nevada?" I don't know where he got the idea that Amol was from Nevada. Joel then says, "I've never even left Bangor." Zach says, "Not even to go to Veazie?" like Veazie is THE place to go in the state of Maine.
Funny kids. Okay, I've procrastinated long enough. Time to get back to packing and laundry.
Monday, May 15, 2006
May 15, 2006
I'm watching the 2 hour season finale of Grey's Anatomy tonight at 9 PM.
I got my reports written and emailed to our project coordinator today. I have to go grocery shopping tonight. Kayla and I will do it after our tanning appointment. The kids have a band concert tomorrow night.
Nothing else exciting to blog about. Church was very fun last night. Altar boy sat directly behind me on the bleachers last night! Things are starting to move quickly! :)
I got my reports written and emailed to our project coordinator today. I have to go grocery shopping tonight. Kayla and I will do it after our tanning appointment. The kids have a band concert tomorrow night.
Nothing else exciting to blog about. Church was very fun last night. Altar boy sat directly behind me on the bleachers last night! Things are starting to move quickly! :)
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Happy Mommy's Day!
I am in a fantastic mood today! I think the beautiful sunny weather might have something to do with it. It is about 73 with a very nice breeze. I think Eric is right, I am like a plant. I need sun and lots of it. I also need rain, but not more than 2 or more days consecutively.
The kids and I went to Nicky's restaurant last night for supper. We had breakfast! Only a handful of places serve breakfast all day. Today we went to church and all of the moms got carnations. That was very sweet! After, the kids and I went to my parent's house. We visited for about a half hour and then I wanted to get back for my latte and for some gardening and tanning! I planted all of my herbs and my tomato plants. Gardening in hard work! It was fun, though and a good way to enjoy the sun! Then I jumped in the pool and cooled down. I picked up Hayley's friend Devon for a little while. I dropped Zach and Dakota off at the baseball field so they could play with Zach's new baseball equipment. I picked them up and we got some Slush Puppies. Now the boys are at Dakota's for awhile. Shannon is here now. She burned me a cd for Mother's Day. She and the kids made me a very sweet one last year. This one is Sarah Kelley and Third Day! I'm listening to it now! :)
At 5, we're dropping Devon off and we're heading back to church. Shannon is coming with us, so we should have a good time.
Chicken Little is SUCH a cute movie! I need to buy it! 4 days till the women's retreat! I am getting so excited! Nothing like an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna and weight room to perk me up! And to think I had all of that at AJ's. He had an indoor pool, a hot tub, a sauna, a tanning bed and a home gym in his HOUSE! I don't miss him as much as I miss all of the stuff that came with him! As I recall though, it got old pretty fast. I am a social kind of person and like going to the beach and watching people and being watched and I am one of those people that loves working out at a busy gym. I don't mind my solitary runs, but I like the social aspect of the gym. AJ was the opposite. He had very low self-esteem and wouldn't even work out in front of ME! I would have to stay upstairs if he was working out. I do know he used to work out to Christina Aguilera! Until I bought him the Shakira cd. I'm still not convinced straight men listen to Christina or Shakira! They may watch their videos, but work out to their music???
Oh well, I need to go get beautiful for church. I'm sitting here in my bikini.
The kids and I went to Nicky's restaurant last night for supper. We had breakfast! Only a handful of places serve breakfast all day. Today we went to church and all of the moms got carnations. That was very sweet! After, the kids and I went to my parent's house. We visited for about a half hour and then I wanted to get back for my latte and for some gardening and tanning! I planted all of my herbs and my tomato plants. Gardening in hard work! It was fun, though and a good way to enjoy the sun! Then I jumped in the pool and cooled down. I picked up Hayley's friend Devon for a little while. I dropped Zach and Dakota off at the baseball field so they could play with Zach's new baseball equipment. I picked them up and we got some Slush Puppies. Now the boys are at Dakota's for awhile. Shannon is here now. She burned me a cd for Mother's Day. She and the kids made me a very sweet one last year. This one is Sarah Kelley and Third Day! I'm listening to it now! :)
At 5, we're dropping Devon off and we're heading back to church. Shannon is coming with us, so we should have a good time.
Chicken Little is SUCH a cute movie! I need to buy it! 4 days till the women's retreat! I am getting so excited! Nothing like an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna and weight room to perk me up! And to think I had all of that at AJ's. He had an indoor pool, a hot tub, a sauna, a tanning bed and a home gym in his HOUSE! I don't miss him as much as I miss all of the stuff that came with him! As I recall though, it got old pretty fast. I am a social kind of person and like going to the beach and watching people and being watched and I am one of those people that loves working out at a busy gym. I don't mind my solitary runs, but I like the social aspect of the gym. AJ was the opposite. He had very low self-esteem and wouldn't even work out in front of ME! I would have to stay upstairs if he was working out. I do know he used to work out to Christina Aguilera! Until I bought him the Shakira cd. I'm still not convinced straight men listen to Christina or Shakira! They may watch their videos, but work out to their music???
Oh well, I need to go get beautiful for church. I'm sitting here in my bikini.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Saturday
Life is slowly resuming normalcy. The girls and I got a lot of cleaning done. All the stuff that has been bugging me for the last week because I was so busy last weekend. I got the lawn mowed. I got my windows clean. Floors washed. I DUSTED!!! I haven't dusted in forever. I hate dusting. I got my drapes and furniture Febreezed. Laundry is done. Dishes are done. Bathroom clean. The one thing I will probably tackle later is my fridge. I haven't taken out the drawers or shelves in a few months, so it definitely needs to be done soon.
I was right about the graduation traffic cluster. My graduation was bright and sunny and I remember I wore shorts underneath my gown. I had a kick ass party after my family party. Gerry & Elaine, Rachel & K-Dogg and the guy I was seeing at the time, Sean, threw me a very fun party. The three A's were there, Allison, Amy and Andrea. It was just super fun.
Lexi (my niece) and the boys (Zach & Cody) went swimming this afternoon while I got some yardwork done.
I must get back to work.
I was right about the graduation traffic cluster. My graduation was bright and sunny and I remember I wore shorts underneath my gown. I had a kick ass party after my family party. Gerry & Elaine, Rachel & K-Dogg and the guy I was seeing at the time, Sean, threw me a very fun party. The three A's were there, Allison, Amy and Andrea. It was just super fun.
Lexi (my niece) and the boys (Zach & Cody) went swimming this afternoon while I got some yardwork done.
I must get back to work.
May 13, 2006
I am so drained. I am very much looking forward to the women's retreat next Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I need a little time away! I didn't do much last night. Kayla and I went tanning, while Hayley, Zach and Sierra waited for us. After, we got some gas, got some food, and got some movies. We rented Crash (excellent!!!!!!), Fun with Dick and Jane (I fell asleep), Chicken Little (haven't watched it yet), Wolf Creek (I saw this in the theaters, too...still disturbing, Hostel was better, though), and finally King Kong, which I haven't bothered to watch yet. We got home to relax and my niece and nephew showed up with their parents, wanting to spend the night. They'll be going home this afternoon. I really wasn't in the mood for extra company, but it was Zachie's birthday and he looked excited to have the company.
He has made $65 in birthday money. He got a ball python, a baseball glove and ball and today, we're going to pick up his hit away thing and hopefully just stay home. I was so busy last weekend, that I just need a day or two off to do NOTHING. Tomorrow, we'll go to church and out to eat for Mother's Day and Zach's birthday.
I know my mood will improve after I consume my latte, so time to get my day started. Orono will be crazy, though...UMaine graduation is today...traffic getting to and from Ampersand's will likely be disgusting. I may have to get two lattes.
Current Mood: okay
Current Music: Aladdin video game theme music
He has made $65 in birthday money. He got a ball python, a baseball glove and ball and today, we're going to pick up his hit away thing and hopefully just stay home. I was so busy last weekend, that I just need a day or two off to do NOTHING. Tomorrow, we'll go to church and out to eat for Mother's Day and Zach's birthday.
I know my mood will improve after I consume my latte, so time to get my day started. Orono will be crazy, though...UMaine graduation is today...traffic getting to and from Ampersand's will likely be disgusting. I may have to get two lattes.
Current Mood: okay
Current Music: Aladdin video game theme music
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Another Thought
While doing more research, I found a neat site about childcare centers. It noted that the centers can increase its earning potential by 30% by offering after hours babysitting services. Friday or Saturday nights, as well as whole weekends. Even nights for parents that work late hours at a hospital or job like that. No major curriculum would be needed because the kids are sleeping. The only exception would be the full weekend. I definitely know many parents that would love the opportunity to get away for the weekend and would take advantage of giving their child a little vacation, too. Because there would probably be fewer children at a time, this would allow for field trips, etc, and I think with the right pay incentive, most workers would be willing to cover a weekend shift or even split the shift. Or simply hire someone who only wants to work nights and weekends.
Another Post
I also spent some time online last night researching investments. It is getting to the point where I have a considerable amount of money in my savings account. Yes, some will be taken out shortly for a new car, but that will be replaced within the year. My hope is to have about $20,000 in the bank a year from August, so I will have a down payment for a house and money to start my own side business. I started thinking that after buying a car, I won't really need the money in my account for at least a year, so maybe I should consider investing in a 12-month CD, which currently has a higher interest rate than my savings account. However, after doing some research, I figured out that if I invested say $12,000 in a 12-month CD with an interest rate of 3.5%, then I am only making an additional $420 when it matures. I'd save more if I quit drinking my lattes! Then again, and extra $420 is an extra $420. Soon after, I started looking at the stock market. I've always heard it takes money to make money and I understand that, so I'm definitely interested in making the most of my situation. I guess now would be the time to get planning on my retirement and IRA and what-have-you. My knowledge is limited about money-market options. I think that can be used more like a checking account, in which you can use some of your money, whereas a CD is untouchable for the length of the term you've chosen, but like I stated before, I don't plan on touching it. I plan on keeping it in my savings until I am ready for a down payment, closing costs and lawyer fees.
I think this weekend, I am going to buy "Investing for Dummies" at Border's.
I think this weekend, I am going to buy "Investing for Dummies" at Border's.
That Was Easy
I was looking online for quotes for daycare liability insurance...for what I would want (I want to be licensed for 20-25 kids) it could be anywhere from $500-$1000 per year, depending on the state and the site I am operating in and on. If it were in my home, or on my property, my homeowner's insurance would cover most and then an additional endorsement would be about $170 more per year. I was expecting some outrageous price in the several thousands. I am willing to pay $1000 a year for a combined commerical liability policy.
I also was looking at dog liability insurance for when I move and buy my own home. I can buy a separate policy for her and my home owner's would cover the rest, or I can just get a homeowners policy that insures her breed. Again, I was expecting this to be atronomical. Sierra is definitely worth an extra hundred or two a year. My 12 year old son does more damage than the dog.
I also was looking at dog liability insurance for when I move and buy my own home. I can buy a separate policy for her and my home owner's would cover the rest, or I can just get a homeowners policy that insures her breed. Again, I was expecting this to be atronomical. Sierra is definitely worth an extra hundred or two a year. My 12 year old son does more damage than the dog.
May 11, 2006
I'm slowly getting laundry caught up. It never ceases to amaze me with 3 kids how quick your laundry can fall behind.
The kids were super excited for school this morning! Not really. But they all got on the bus. Normally I drive them but I am dragging this morning. Thankfully the school year is almost over. We need a break. Zach will be gone for the summer in a little over a month. His birthday is tomorrow. He loves his new snake. He keeps hugging me saying, "Thanks, Mom, I never thought I'd get to be a boy who owns a snake!"
I leave next Thursday afternoon for the woman's retreat. We're staying at the Atlantic Oakes Resort & Conference Center in Bar Harbor, about 45 minutes away. The kids will be on their own Thursday night. They'll have to get themselves up and on the bus for Friday. I warned them that they had all better make it to school Friday. They will because they know their school will call me or their dad if they don't. They can either go to their dad's after school Friday for the night, or stay here, which I'd prefer, so Sierra doesn't have to be alone. It is nice that they are at the ages they are at. At 16 and 15, Kayla and Hayley are old enough and responsible enough to keep an eye on their 12 year old brother for a night or two. Their dad lives 2 minutes away. My parents are a phone call away. Desaraye and David live down the road. We have very close neighbors that will keep an eye on things, too. Both girls are CPR and first-aid certified. They are excellent babysitters and have excellent references from the families they work for. PLUS, they know I will kill them if anything happens to their little brother. :) As long as Hayley can talk on the phone all night and I leave money for pizza and movies, and Zach has his snake and video games, they should be quite content to chill until I get back around noon on Saturday.
A lot of big events happened right after Zach was born 12 years ago. The end of May, Jackie Kennedy Onassis died. In June, 12 years ago, Nicole Brown Simpson was murdered. I remember wondering to myself, about a year after that happened, if we would ever turn our tv's on again and not see or hear about OJ. Several months later, that mother drowned her little boys in her car. I remember being consumed watching that play out on tv. The youngest son looked like Zach and they were close in age. I was beside myself, worried for the parents and hoping the kids would be found. Mike came into work one night and looked at me and said, "She did it." I was like, "What?", not sure what he was talking about it. "She did it. She killed the boys." They would be 15 and 12 now, I think.
I am feeling lazy today. It is day number two of rain. Tomorrow night, after work, Kayla and I will go tanning and then we'll have a birthday dinner for Zach. We'll either go out to eat, or make something special. All three of them are fans of having breakfast for supper, so we might just stay in and have bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes and toast. Then again, we might go out to eat because we'll have to go shopping for birthday presents. The snake was the big gift. He aslo wants that Derek Jeter hit-away ball pitcher, a new baseball glove, and some other stuff I can't seem to remember right now.
The pets in this house now include a snake, three oscars, two of our cats, plus a visiting cat we're sitting for my cousin, and our dog. Throw in three kids and a mom and we have a full house!
The kids were super excited for school this morning! Not really. But they all got on the bus. Normally I drive them but I am dragging this morning. Thankfully the school year is almost over. We need a break. Zach will be gone for the summer in a little over a month. His birthday is tomorrow. He loves his new snake. He keeps hugging me saying, "Thanks, Mom, I never thought I'd get to be a boy who owns a snake!"
I leave next Thursday afternoon for the woman's retreat. We're staying at the Atlantic Oakes Resort & Conference Center in Bar Harbor, about 45 minutes away. The kids will be on their own Thursday night. They'll have to get themselves up and on the bus for Friday. I warned them that they had all better make it to school Friday. They will because they know their school will call me or their dad if they don't. They can either go to their dad's after school Friday for the night, or stay here, which I'd prefer, so Sierra doesn't have to be alone. It is nice that they are at the ages they are at. At 16 and 15, Kayla and Hayley are old enough and responsible enough to keep an eye on their 12 year old brother for a night or two. Their dad lives 2 minutes away. My parents are a phone call away. Desaraye and David live down the road. We have very close neighbors that will keep an eye on things, too. Both girls are CPR and first-aid certified. They are excellent babysitters and have excellent references from the families they work for. PLUS, they know I will kill them if anything happens to their little brother. :) As long as Hayley can talk on the phone all night and I leave money for pizza and movies, and Zach has his snake and video games, they should be quite content to chill until I get back around noon on Saturday.
A lot of big events happened right after Zach was born 12 years ago. The end of May, Jackie Kennedy Onassis died. In June, 12 years ago, Nicole Brown Simpson was murdered. I remember wondering to myself, about a year after that happened, if we would ever turn our tv's on again and not see or hear about OJ. Several months later, that mother drowned her little boys in her car. I remember being consumed watching that play out on tv. The youngest son looked like Zach and they were close in age. I was beside myself, worried for the parents and hoping the kids would be found. Mike came into work one night and looked at me and said, "She did it." I was like, "What?", not sure what he was talking about it. "She did it. She killed the boys." They would be 15 and 12 now, I think.
I am feeling lazy today. It is day number two of rain. Tomorrow night, after work, Kayla and I will go tanning and then we'll have a birthday dinner for Zach. We'll either go out to eat, or make something special. All three of them are fans of having breakfast for supper, so we might just stay in and have bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes and toast. Then again, we might go out to eat because we'll have to go shopping for birthday presents. The snake was the big gift. He aslo wants that Derek Jeter hit-away ball pitcher, a new baseball glove, and some other stuff I can't seem to remember right now.
The pets in this house now include a snake, three oscars, two of our cats, plus a visiting cat we're sitting for my cousin, and our dog. Throw in three kids and a mom and we have a full house!
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Midnight Toker
Midnight Toker:
(n.) One who rocks the bong in the dark.
REMEMBER!!!
Knowledge is power!
Current Mood: still good
Current Music: Rock the Casbah............The Clash
(n.) One who rocks the bong in the dark.
REMEMBER!!!
Knowledge is power!
Current Mood: still good
Current Music: Rock the Casbah............The Clash
Conversations from the Car
Me: What the heck is Sierra flipping out, barking and growling at?
Zach: Probably that cat crossing the street.
Me: That cat or that old man walking with the cane?
Zach: What's the difference? They're both furry!
My boy is special indeed!
Zach: Probably that cat crossing the street.
Me: That cat or that old man walking with the cane?
Zach: What's the difference? They're both furry!
My boy is special indeed!
May 10, 2006
I didn't blog yesterday! Time just slipped away from me. I worked 8-12 in the office and then 2-8 at the center. By the time I took Danny and Ashley home and got home myself, I only had energy to check some email and reply to a few and I was off the bed.
I had a major allergy attack last night. It lasted about an hour. Sneezing, severe runny nose, itchy throat, cough, hives. It ended as fast as it started. Very weird, but I handled it well. I had my inhaler if it had gotten to that point, which it did not. It is raining today and tomorrow, so that should help get some of the allergens out of the air.
I have a phone conference tomorrow at 11:30. Technology really sucks sometimes. I was under the impression that participation in the USM bladdy-bladdy-blah (I can't remember the title) study was optional. I was wrong. They want to use my data (not just mine, but all who are in charge of youth programming) for their study. I guess Chip pimped us out to them and said we'd all participate. I was wondering what was up with the "Thank you for agreeing to participate" email. I thought it was just a mass forward and ignored it. So Chip has rescheduled a phone conference with those of us who ignored their first attempts. I resent people using my work to raise money for themselves!
Zach's 12th birthday is in 2 days. I bought him a 3 1/2 foot ball python. It eats one mouse a week every Tuesday. He watched this process last night with keen fascination.
I have the morning off and I work 2-5 tonight. Church is 6-8. Then home so Kayla can watch Lost.
I have not had my latte yet. I'm dragging ass this morning. Zach is home today too because of his allergies. His asthma is more severe than mine, so I like to keep a closer eye on it. He hasn't had any significant trouble in a couple of years. By significant, I mean hospitalizations. We had a rough go of it for a few years, when he was younger. At least one major hospitalization a year for most of his early years, once for 2 weeks when he was 9 months old. Glad those days seem to have passed us by.
Okay, I have to get moving. I have to clean today. It is driving me crazy.
Current Mood: good
Current Music: Joker.............Steve Miller Band.......what the hell is a midnight toker?
I had a major allergy attack last night. It lasted about an hour. Sneezing, severe runny nose, itchy throat, cough, hives. It ended as fast as it started. Very weird, but I handled it well. I had my inhaler if it had gotten to that point, which it did not. It is raining today and tomorrow, so that should help get some of the allergens out of the air.
I have a phone conference tomorrow at 11:30. Technology really sucks sometimes. I was under the impression that participation in the USM bladdy-bladdy-blah (I can't remember the title) study was optional. I was wrong. They want to use my data (not just mine, but all who are in charge of youth programming) for their study. I guess Chip pimped us out to them and said we'd all participate. I was wondering what was up with the "Thank you for agreeing to participate" email. I thought it was just a mass forward and ignored it. So Chip has rescheduled a phone conference with those of us who ignored their first attempts. I resent people using my work to raise money for themselves!
Zach's 12th birthday is in 2 days. I bought him a 3 1/2 foot ball python. It eats one mouse a week every Tuesday. He watched this process last night with keen fascination.
I have the morning off and I work 2-5 tonight. Church is 6-8. Then home so Kayla can watch Lost.
I have not had my latte yet. I'm dragging ass this morning. Zach is home today too because of his allergies. His asthma is more severe than mine, so I like to keep a closer eye on it. He hasn't had any significant trouble in a couple of years. By significant, I mean hospitalizations. We had a rough go of it for a few years, when he was younger. At least one major hospitalization a year for most of his early years, once for 2 weeks when he was 9 months old. Glad those days seem to have passed us by.
Okay, I have to get moving. I have to clean today. It is driving me crazy.
Current Mood: good
Current Music: Joker.............Steve Miller Band.......what the hell is a midnight toker?
Monday, May 08, 2006
May 8, 2006
A fun day at work today. Chaos reigns supreme. Larry came back to tell me he "fixed" the garage handle again. :) Carl thinks he has a crush on me...Larry, not Carl...Larry is very cute. I like him. He looks like AJ, though. Not a bad thing, because AJ was very good looking. This is an improvement for me. I haven't even been remotely interested in anyone since Brian. Brian is still my first choice but this is getting old. Jennifer is getting old, too. And horny! There is also this gorgeous man at church. Big BIG muscles. Nice face. We spotted each other across the room two Sundays ago and he sits in the front row in the center...I sit on the side, on the bleachers. I think he is my pastor's stepson, who just got back from Iraq. Well, last night at church, it was the children's Spring Concert, (our church has it's own school, K-12) anyway, the bleachers were taken because all of the students were at the service waiting for their grade to be called up to perform, so I sat on the left side, next to the middle, with my family. Travis walked by me, stood in front of me, fellowshipped within a foot of me until it was time for the concert. I played cool and talked to my cousins, but kept him in eyesight, and he kept me in eyesight and we just kept eyesighting each other while pretending to listen to our friends. Very mature! :)
Ah well, at least my blogs will be interesting again if I resume dating! :)
I am working tomorrow morning because we're kind of shorthanded all around.
I have a tanning appointment at 6:20, then home for supper and a quick shower, beddie-bye.
Current Mood: very good
Current Music: I Can Still Feel You...............Collin Raye
Ah well, at least my blogs will be interesting again if I resume dating! :)
I am working tomorrow morning because we're kind of shorthanded all around.
I have a tanning appointment at 6:20, then home for supper and a quick shower, beddie-bye.
Current Mood: very good
Current Music: I Can Still Feel You...............Collin Raye
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Plans Change, But Not Really
I got a phone call this morning from my sister-in-law...you're coming to Lexi's b-day party, right?
CRAP! I forgot all about it! Zach and I went birthday shopping for her and then headed to the Bowling Alley for her party. It was fun. She loved all the stuff we bought her. I bought her a cute pink and white peasant skirt and a matching tank top from Target. I bought her Dora dominoes, a box of hundreds of stickers, a flubber kind of ball thingy, and gigantic purple sunglasses!
I had to run few errands this morning and ended up at the dollar store, and as I was checking out, Jim walked in. It is funny how you don't see someone in a few months and then boom, they are all over the place! I saw Joyce (his wife) this afternoon and tomorrow, of course, I'll see both at church.
I finished up my mad shopping spree this afternoon. I went to Old Navy and bought two new shirts, some new flip flops (liplops, as Lexi calls them) and a new tank top.
At Lexi's party, my other brother was there with his demon ex! They've been apart for almost a year. I got wind of a possible reconciliation around Easter, but I figured Mandy would fail at this endeavor miserably! She was tolerable today or maybe it is me that has changed, I don't know, but we actually had a nice time together. Their daughter (my niece Gaby) is absolutely adorable! She is such a flirt and is just so funny. My sister wasn't able to come up this weekend, so no Gracie, my newest adorable niece!
I have sneezed about 20 times today. I'm usually a two a day kind of sneezer. Definitely my allergies! Damn you, tree pollen!!! I took some meds and was pretty lethargic by the time we had dinner with Eric and Erin, so sorry guys! It was great hanging out though and the live Super Mario game was hilarious! Very well done!
The boys are swimming in the pool right now and I am going to take some more medicine and cozy up in bed with my new movies and my dog. It is just 7 PM, but I am beat and my stomach is startng to roll again. What is up with me and chronic diarrhea? I am turning into Eric! Aw well, it is a good thing I am calling it a night, lest some sharting incident occurs.
Church tomorrow. I told Claire I would meet her at work tomorrow after church. She was like, "I'm working on Sunday, you should stop in after church." Sure thing. I have to pick up my tomato plants anyway.
Current Mood: good, tired and sneezy...on my way to Nyquil land.
Current Music: Sharp Dressed Man..............ZZ Top
CRAP! I forgot all about it! Zach and I went birthday shopping for her and then headed to the Bowling Alley for her party. It was fun. She loved all the stuff we bought her. I bought her a cute pink and white peasant skirt and a matching tank top from Target. I bought her Dora dominoes, a box of hundreds of stickers, a flubber kind of ball thingy, and gigantic purple sunglasses!
I had to run few errands this morning and ended up at the dollar store, and as I was checking out, Jim walked in. It is funny how you don't see someone in a few months and then boom, they are all over the place! I saw Joyce (his wife) this afternoon and tomorrow, of course, I'll see both at church.
I finished up my mad shopping spree this afternoon. I went to Old Navy and bought two new shirts, some new flip flops (liplops, as Lexi calls them) and a new tank top.
At Lexi's party, my other brother was there with his demon ex! They've been apart for almost a year. I got wind of a possible reconciliation around Easter, but I figured Mandy would fail at this endeavor miserably! She was tolerable today or maybe it is me that has changed, I don't know, but we actually had a nice time together. Their daughter (my niece Gaby) is absolutely adorable! She is such a flirt and is just so funny. My sister wasn't able to come up this weekend, so no Gracie, my newest adorable niece!
I have sneezed about 20 times today. I'm usually a two a day kind of sneezer. Definitely my allergies! Damn you, tree pollen!!! I took some meds and was pretty lethargic by the time we had dinner with Eric and Erin, so sorry guys! It was great hanging out though and the live Super Mario game was hilarious! Very well done!
The boys are swimming in the pool right now and I am going to take some more medicine and cozy up in bed with my new movies and my dog. It is just 7 PM, but I am beat and my stomach is startng to roll again. What is up with me and chronic diarrhea? I am turning into Eric! Aw well, it is a good thing I am calling it a night, lest some sharting incident occurs.
Church tomorrow. I told Claire I would meet her at work tomorrow after church. She was like, "I'm working on Sunday, you should stop in after church." Sure thing. I have to pick up my tomato plants anyway.
Current Mood: good, tired and sneezy...on my way to Nyquil land.
Current Music: Sharp Dressed Man..............ZZ Top
Gas, Bloating and Flatulence
This post won't really be about gas, bloating and flatulence. I just wanted to try and change my adsense.
The girls and I got back from shopping last night around 10:15 PM. It was so NICE to go shopping. Girlie shopping. Just buying whatever clothes and stuff I wanted or the girls wanted, without a whiny 11 year-old wanting money for the arcade or toy store, or to go home. Not that we weren't missing our whiny 11 year-old! Apparently, our whiny 11 year-old was missing us too, because when we got home, he was sitting on the couch crying, with every light on in the house. He was supposed to have been spending the night at Dakota's down the street. He said he walked home around 8 because he wasn't "feeling well". I asked why he was crying and he said, "Because I didn't know where you were!"
I treated the 3 girls to supper at Uno's. Sarah had never eaten there and she isn't a meat-eater, and Uno's has more of a menu selection compared to our steak houses. It was good. After, we ran over to the mall and I gave Sarah and Hayley some money and we parted ways. Kayla and I bought some new capris at Filene's and I bought the CUTEST pair of capri sweats that say PINK on the butt from Victoria's Secret. Did I mention how absolutely adorable they are? Then I bought a new shirt and bought Kayla some new jammies. We all met up in the food court and left for Walmart. I bought a 4 DVD movie set of some of Stephen King's movies. Misery, The Dark Half, Carrie, and Needful Things. I also rented Hoodwinked, Ring Around the Rosie, Urban Legend--Bloody Mary, Simple Life Season 3.
Today, I am chilling around the house with the kids, until about 3. I have to
drop the girls off then to go babysit. Zach and I will go shopping after that, since he missed out on all of the fun last night.
He asked, "So can I get something if it is under $10?"
"Well, I was thinking closer to $20," I said.
"Really??? Cool! So technically I am getting a $20 bill, right?"
"I guess you could say that."
"Mom, can we go to the dollar store?"
Zach and I are then going to swing by Eric and Erin's and see if they are still up for joining us for dinner at Bugaboo. Right now, I am going to get my latte and go tanning.
Current Mood: good
Current Music: All She Wants To Do Is Dance...........Don Henley
The girls and I got back from shopping last night around 10:15 PM. It was so NICE to go shopping. Girlie shopping. Just buying whatever clothes and stuff I wanted or the girls wanted, without a whiny 11 year-old wanting money for the arcade or toy store, or to go home. Not that we weren't missing our whiny 11 year-old! Apparently, our whiny 11 year-old was missing us too, because when we got home, he was sitting on the couch crying, with every light on in the house. He was supposed to have been spending the night at Dakota's down the street. He said he walked home around 8 because he wasn't "feeling well". I asked why he was crying and he said, "Because I didn't know where you were!"
I treated the 3 girls to supper at Uno's. Sarah had never eaten there and she isn't a meat-eater, and Uno's has more of a menu selection compared to our steak houses. It was good. After, we ran over to the mall and I gave Sarah and Hayley some money and we parted ways. Kayla and I bought some new capris at Filene's and I bought the CUTEST pair of capri sweats that say PINK on the butt from Victoria's Secret. Did I mention how absolutely adorable they are? Then I bought a new shirt and bought Kayla some new jammies. We all met up in the food court and left for Walmart. I bought a 4 DVD movie set of some of Stephen King's movies. Misery, The Dark Half, Carrie, and Needful Things. I also rented Hoodwinked, Ring Around the Rosie, Urban Legend--Bloody Mary, Simple Life Season 3.
Today, I am chilling around the house with the kids, until about 3. I have to
drop the girls off then to go babysit. Zach and I will go shopping after that, since he missed out on all of the fun last night.
He asked, "So can I get something if it is under $10?"
"Well, I was thinking closer to $20," I said.
"Really??? Cool! So technically I am getting a $20 bill, right?"
"I guess you could say that."
"Mom, can we go to the dollar store?"
Zach and I are then going to swing by Eric and Erin's and see if they are still up for joining us for dinner at Bugaboo. Right now, I am going to get my latte and go tanning.
Current Mood: good
Current Music: All She Wants To Do Is Dance...........Don Henley
Friday, May 05, 2006
Friday
It is beautiful today. Looks like the concert will be postponed until the 27th of May. That is okay, but I was really looking forward to it tomorrow! At least now the girls won't have to miss it.
I had some errands to run on campus today, so after that, I took advantage of the time there and caught up some friends. I talked for some time with Jerry, who worked with my boss Claire, years ago in Portland. He was telling me some of the stuff they used to do for work. I caught up with Lori, Sue and Ceecee. I tried to catch up with David and Dianne, but they were running late in their meeting, so I went over to Jim's office and talked with him for about a half hour. It was a nice talk. Sometimes I just look at him and can't believe we were ever together though, like today.
Tonight, Hayley and her friend Sarah are going to the Y dance and then I will be picking them up around 10. We'll take Sarah home in the morning and then the girls need to babysit. Zach and I were going to the concert but now looks like we'll find an alternate plan until we're supposed to check in at Eric's and see if they still want to join us for dinner at Bugaboo.
Zach and his friend Dakota are in the pool right now. It is almost 80 outside. Very nice weather.
I had some errands to run on campus today, so after that, I took advantage of the time there and caught up some friends. I talked for some time with Jerry, who worked with my boss Claire, years ago in Portland. He was telling me some of the stuff they used to do for work. I caught up with Lori, Sue and Ceecee. I tried to catch up with David and Dianne, but they were running late in their meeting, so I went over to Jim's office and talked with him for about a half hour. It was a nice talk. Sometimes I just look at him and can't believe we were ever together though, like today.
Tonight, Hayley and her friend Sarah are going to the Y dance and then I will be picking them up around 10. We'll take Sarah home in the morning and then the girls need to babysit. Zach and I were going to the concert but now looks like we'll find an alternate plan until we're supposed to check in at Eric's and see if they still want to join us for dinner at Bugaboo.
Zach and his friend Dakota are in the pool right now. It is almost 80 outside. Very nice weather.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
May 4, 2006
Yesterday, while we were heading to church, we had to take an alternate route because they are working on the Joshua Chamberlain bridge...so we're going around, up to State St., so we can take that bridge, when the road is blocked off on the State St. hill...a loaded fuel truck headed to Presque Isle nailed a woman getting off the bus. My student Dan's brother Joey saw the whole thing happen. She was killed instantly (which I think tends to happen when your head comes off). Anyway, we were caught in traffic for a few minutes and I found out this morning the extent of the events that happened. Pretty tragic and proof that you just never know how or where or when your ultimate demise will occur. Reminds me of a bumper sticker or something "Life is short, enjoy it. No one makes it out alive!"
Okay, on to better thoughts. It is beautiful outside. Sunny! Temps will reach the low 70's today! I will be enjoying the sun outside today. Catching up on some reading. I slept very well last night, for the second night in a row! I'm on a roll! I still have the hints of a headache, which means it will progress to a full-blown one by day's end. I started thinking, Duh! Sinuses! I don't know why it takes me so long sometimes to figure out what is causing the pain. I'm gonna betcha that I am in the beginning stages of a sinus infection.
I had an "end of the world" dream last night. Quite bizarre but enjoyable to watch. It was more "bird flu" than World War 3 kind of end of the world dream. Might be because I fell asleep with a headache! My friend Charlie and I were the heroic two in the dream, saving who we could. I remember thinking, Okay, where is Brian? I am saving the world without Brian. So in my dream, I head up to Presque Isle to find him, which turns into my grandparent's old house and yard in Milford, and there is like 5 feet of snow, so I figure it would be just like Brian to be out plowing, while the world is ending. I think it is kind of funny that I can find such lucidity at times, in the realm of my dreamworld. I start walking up the street and I see the plow truck in the distance. He yells a question out the window to me and then I remember I am still mad at him, so I ignore his question and talk to some kids, thinking I'll just show him and make him wait a little. Well, I look up and the dickhead has driven off and left me there! I'm looking all beat up Buffy-like in a tank top after saving the world in Eastern Maine, NOT dressed for snow in Presque Isle, what is he thinking? So I pull out his plow list and find the address of his next customer and meet him there and demand he give me a ride back to warmer weather, so I can continue to help Charlie save the world! Then I woke up!
These really are crazy times we're living in. It is no wonder I have dreams like this. There is a war going on, a bird flu scare going around, and I kid you not, there is a singing, dancing Cowboy at my church! Not a "I'm a Texas roadhouse redneck" kind of cowboy, but a college-aged, cross between cowboy and Indian (he has a cowboy hat and fringed pants, with a gold metal sheriff star), mushroom indulging, lost Village People band member, complete with air guitar! You think I am making this up or at least adding to the story. NAY! NAY! I am going to bring my camera to the concert on Saturday and sneak some pictures of this groupie. And I know it is not Christian-like to make fun of people and I don't think I am making fun of him. I am just stating facts, but it is difficult trying to keep a straight face while dancing cowboy is strumming his air guitar in my direct line of vision. And not only does he play guitar, he travels with drums and saxophone (all invisible to the naked eye) and he sings louder than any of the 500-1000 people that show up to service. He also jumps and twirls all hippie-like (I just remember seeing videos of LSD-tripping hippies twirling at Woodstock) in front of the stage like it is his own private mosh-pit. I'm not sure what it is about me or my luck, that attracts such individuals to my side of the church. I think God is testing me! Seriously. In court, the horse molestor sat next to me. Last year at church, we had a Charlie Manson look alike, that we called the clapper because when the church would clap to music all TOGETHER, it was like he purposely waited until the group clapped, then he'd clap, then we'd clap, and so it would go on. He'd sit near me and screw up my timing. Anyway, so I have the cowboy in front of me, Zach to my left and you know how politically correct 11 year old non-cowboys are..."Mom, look at that freak!" then erupting into peals of laughter. "Can I wear my Darth Vadar costume?" It was one of those life defining moments, much like the mental image of Grandma, that I will never forget until the day I die, of her sitting across from me on the Metro, underneath a sign, with a picture of false teeth, saying "Please check your seat when you leave, people leave the strangest things on the train." I remember sitting across from her, looking at her with her new dimples caused from her new dentures, her finally graying hair ( I have more than her) sticking out wildly from her bun, like she'd just beaten down a mugger with her huge leather purse that she was clutching very securely with two hands, thinking I am going to grow up and look just like this woman. This is my life.
***Disclaimer***
In no way do I think I am better than anyone else. I have several of my own 'costumes' that I enjoy. A French maid or a crotchless catsuit just doesn't seem quite appropriate attire for church! I also feel that people are free to worship our Lord in any way that they see fit, just don't make it difficult for other people around you. You wouldn't wear a very large fruit basket on your head to a movie, now would you? It is all I can do to keep my shi...stuff...together so I too can make it past the pearly gates, so please, please, I beg of you...don't make it harder for me. Thou shall not kill. Okay, got it. Thou shall not commit adultery...okay, got that...Thou shall not succumb to road rage...you're losing me....Thou shall not make fun of cowboy at church...there, I'm a lost soul now...Thank you very much!
Remind me to tell you about the John Candy (in Uncle Buck/Summer Rental) montrosity we had sit in front of us at the circus last weekend, who left his seat in the middle of the row, no less than 7 times, for food and toys. "Excuse me, pardon me, ignore my sweat dripping on you and in your snowcone because the mere effort of standing, not to mention having had to climb almost to the top to find seats."
Okay, on to better thoughts. It is beautiful outside. Sunny! Temps will reach the low 70's today! I will be enjoying the sun outside today. Catching up on some reading. I slept very well last night, for the second night in a row! I'm on a roll! I still have the hints of a headache, which means it will progress to a full-blown one by day's end. I started thinking, Duh! Sinuses! I don't know why it takes me so long sometimes to figure out what is causing the pain. I'm gonna betcha that I am in the beginning stages of a sinus infection.
I had an "end of the world" dream last night. Quite bizarre but enjoyable to watch. It was more "bird flu" than World War 3 kind of end of the world dream. Might be because I fell asleep with a headache! My friend Charlie and I were the heroic two in the dream, saving who we could. I remember thinking, Okay, where is Brian? I am saving the world without Brian. So in my dream, I head up to Presque Isle to find him, which turns into my grandparent's old house and yard in Milford, and there is like 5 feet of snow, so I figure it would be just like Brian to be out plowing, while the world is ending. I think it is kind of funny that I can find such lucidity at times, in the realm of my dreamworld. I start walking up the street and I see the plow truck in the distance. He yells a question out the window to me and then I remember I am still mad at him, so I ignore his question and talk to some kids, thinking I'll just show him and make him wait a little. Well, I look up and the dickhead has driven off and left me there! I'm looking all beat up Buffy-like in a tank top after saving the world in Eastern Maine, NOT dressed for snow in Presque Isle, what is he thinking? So I pull out his plow list and find the address of his next customer and meet him there and demand he give me a ride back to warmer weather, so I can continue to help Charlie save the world! Then I woke up!
These really are crazy times we're living in. It is no wonder I have dreams like this. There is a war going on, a bird flu scare going around, and I kid you not, there is a singing, dancing Cowboy at my church! Not a "I'm a Texas roadhouse redneck" kind of cowboy, but a college-aged, cross between cowboy and Indian (he has a cowboy hat and fringed pants, with a gold metal sheriff star), mushroom indulging, lost Village People band member, complete with air guitar! You think I am making this up or at least adding to the story. NAY! NAY! I am going to bring my camera to the concert on Saturday and sneak some pictures of this groupie. And I know it is not Christian-like to make fun of people and I don't think I am making fun of him. I am just stating facts, but it is difficult trying to keep a straight face while dancing cowboy is strumming his air guitar in my direct line of vision. And not only does he play guitar, he travels with drums and saxophone (all invisible to the naked eye) and he sings louder than any of the 500-1000 people that show up to service. He also jumps and twirls all hippie-like (I just remember seeing videos of LSD-tripping hippies twirling at Woodstock) in front of the stage like it is his own private mosh-pit. I'm not sure what it is about me or my luck, that attracts such individuals to my side of the church. I think God is testing me! Seriously. In court, the horse molestor sat next to me. Last year at church, we had a Charlie Manson look alike, that we called the clapper because when the church would clap to music all TOGETHER, it was like he purposely waited until the group clapped, then he'd clap, then we'd clap, and so it would go on. He'd sit near me and screw up my timing. Anyway, so I have the cowboy in front of me, Zach to my left and you know how politically correct 11 year old non-cowboys are..."Mom, look at that freak!" then erupting into peals of laughter. "Can I wear my Darth Vadar costume?" It was one of those life defining moments, much like the mental image of Grandma, that I will never forget until the day I die, of her sitting across from me on the Metro, underneath a sign, with a picture of false teeth, saying "Please check your seat when you leave, people leave the strangest things on the train." I remember sitting across from her, looking at her with her new dimples caused from her new dentures, her finally graying hair ( I have more than her) sticking out wildly from her bun, like she'd just beaten down a mugger with her huge leather purse that she was clutching very securely with two hands, thinking I am going to grow up and look just like this woman. This is my life.
***Disclaimer***
In no way do I think I am better than anyone else. I have several of my own 'costumes' that I enjoy. A French maid or a crotchless catsuit just doesn't seem quite appropriate attire for church! I also feel that people are free to worship our Lord in any way that they see fit, just don't make it difficult for other people around you. You wouldn't wear a very large fruit basket on your head to a movie, now would you? It is all I can do to keep my shi...stuff...together so I too can make it past the pearly gates, so please, please, I beg of you...don't make it harder for me. Thou shall not kill. Okay, got it. Thou shall not commit adultery...okay, got that...Thou shall not succumb to road rage...you're losing me....Thou shall not make fun of cowboy at church...there, I'm a lost soul now...Thank you very much!
Remind me to tell you about the John Candy (in Uncle Buck/Summer Rental) montrosity we had sit in front of us at the circus last weekend, who left his seat in the middle of the row, no less than 7 times, for food and toys. "Excuse me, pardon me, ignore my sweat dripping on you and in your snowcone because the mere effort of standing, not to mention having had to climb almost to the top to find seats."
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
May 3, 2006
Church was fun, as usual. We're having a reunion benefit concert there Saturday. Our pastor, Ken, is resurrecting his band Godsword to raise some money for former fellow bandmate Bob, who lost his home and pets Monday in a horrible house fire. The family lost everything but the clothes on their backs. Thankfully, they had already gone to work and school before the fire, so nobody was injured. I can't wait. I have all of the Godsword cd's. The girls will miss it because they have to babysit, but Zach and I will have a ball!
I have a splitting headache right now. It started hurting around 2 and has not let up. I am now going to take some Tylenol and then go night-night.
I have a splitting headache right now. It started hurting around 2 and has not let up. I am now going to take some Tylenol and then go night-night.
Wednesday Already
Wow, I can't believe it is Wednesday again. So much for sleeping in! I did go to bed early last night, around 8:30 and fell asleep almost immediately and slept 10 hours, so I guess that is even better than sleeping in! :)
It will be a busy day today. I have errands to run this morning, pick up the kids this afternoon, head to work for a few hours, and then head to church. We'll be back home a little after 8 tonight.
I got my grocery shopping done last night. Finally. It is the one chore I really do not like. I have to be in the mood to do it.
It is supposed to be beautiful tomorrow and in the 70's. NICE! I found some great cars this week. They were all 2005s, so not too old. Low miles and low priced enough that I could buy outright and not have a car payment. Two are cars just like mine, but new.
I have to go shower and begin my day.
It will be a busy day today. I have errands to run this morning, pick up the kids this afternoon, head to work for a few hours, and then head to church. We'll be back home a little after 8 tonight.
I got my grocery shopping done last night. Finally. It is the one chore I really do not like. I have to be in the mood to do it.
It is supposed to be beautiful tomorrow and in the 70's. NICE! I found some great cars this week. They were all 2005s, so not too old. Low miles and low priced enough that I could buy outright and not have a car payment. Two are cars just like mine, but new.
I have to go shower and begin my day.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Freeport
I'm back from Freeport. It was fun. The 2 hour drive wasn't too bad. It is two hours each way, but Stacey and I had a good time catching up and talking about the day.
I am so tired, though. I have been up since 5:30 AM or so. It will be an early night tonight. We're headed to the grocery store and the kids and I will relax when we get home. I will hopefully get the chance to sleep in a bit before doing errands.
The kids and I are going to church tomorrow night. We don't usually go to the Wednesday evening service because I work Wednesday nights until 5:30, but church is at 6 and is only about 10 minutes from work and Ken (our pastor) has a special guest coming tomorrow night, so we're going to make the effort. Plus it will give me a chance to catch up with Justin and Jim and give Justin his job information.
I missed my dog sooooo much today. There is a black lab/pit bull puppy at the shelter and she is sooo cute and her owners turned her in because they said they didn't know what kind of dog she was. She is just so sweet and loving and it breaks my heart because she doesn't understand why her people don't want her anymore. Anyway, it just made me miss Sierra even more, so I am glad I am home. Once the kids and I move and we know where we're going to be for the next 10 years or so, I will get a second rescue dog. I want to right now, but even as difficult as finding temporary housing with one dog, it would be next to impossible with two dogs. We'd only be in temporary housing until we found the house we want to buy, in the town we want to live in. When the time comes, I'm planning on finding a job, then securing housing close to that, researching the neighboring towns and schools for the best fit for the family and then buy a house in that town. Difficult, but not impossible with one dog. I'd board her nights if I absolutely had to. No price is too high for my baby. I give myself about 6 months max in rental housing before purchasing, unless I am miserable at the new job, then that would mean back at square one. I'm looking at Portland, New York, New Jersey, Mass or Rhode Island. Portland area being first choice for now. That is still a year and a half away, though.
Grocery store bound! Times a wasting!
Current Mood: tired
Current Music: Awake............Godsmack
I am so tired, though. I have been up since 5:30 AM or so. It will be an early night tonight. We're headed to the grocery store and the kids and I will relax when we get home. I will hopefully get the chance to sleep in a bit before doing errands.
The kids and I are going to church tomorrow night. We don't usually go to the Wednesday evening service because I work Wednesday nights until 5:30, but church is at 6 and is only about 10 minutes from work and Ken (our pastor) has a special guest coming tomorrow night, so we're going to make the effort. Plus it will give me a chance to catch up with Justin and Jim and give Justin his job information.
I missed my dog sooooo much today. There is a black lab/pit bull puppy at the shelter and she is sooo cute and her owners turned her in because they said they didn't know what kind of dog she was. She is just so sweet and loving and it breaks my heart because she doesn't understand why her people don't want her anymore. Anyway, it just made me miss Sierra even more, so I am glad I am home. Once the kids and I move and we know where we're going to be for the next 10 years or so, I will get a second rescue dog. I want to right now, but even as difficult as finding temporary housing with one dog, it would be next to impossible with two dogs. We'd only be in temporary housing until we found the house we want to buy, in the town we want to live in. When the time comes, I'm planning on finding a job, then securing housing close to that, researching the neighboring towns and schools for the best fit for the family and then buy a house in that town. Difficult, but not impossible with one dog. I'd board her nights if I absolutely had to. No price is too high for my baby. I give myself about 6 months max in rental housing before purchasing, unless I am miserable at the new job, then that would mean back at square one. I'm looking at Portland, New York, New Jersey, Mass or Rhode Island. Portland area being first choice for now. That is still a year and a half away, though.
Grocery store bound! Times a wasting!
Current Mood: tired
Current Music: Awake............Godsmack
Monday, May 01, 2006
Happy May Day!
Is the first day of May, May Day?
I'm in Freeport all day tomorrow at a conference.
Today was a busy day for me. I took advantage of the fact that the office stayed connected online all day today and caught up on some of my Augusta work. In the midst of all of that, Jim emailed and originally wanted information for his daughter Sara, who is a freshmen on campus this year. Then, that turned into "Can you get Justin (his son) a job at the gym?" Justin is a junior in college and in the middle of transferring back here.
I got the "I'm so glad we're still friends after I seduced you while you were my student and I was your professor and oh, we were so bad!" speech. Actually, truth be told, I probably played a bigger part in the seduction! :) And yes, we're still friends. We go to the same church and I am friends with his new wife. He wasn't married when we were together. He was actually the witness that got me going back to church and for that, he will always hold a dear spot in my heart. It didn't end bad. I happened to meet a man one night (Brian) and I knew I couldn't continue seeing Jim. I still wasn't prepared for Jim to drop the bombshell on me just 3 weeks later, telling he was getting married to someone from church. Lots of agonzing and confusing talks later, we're good. We've concluded he's crazy. Who proposes after 3 weeks? He's happy, though. God works in mysterious ways. I'm okay with it and very happy for them because I know I love Brian and I made the right choice. Plus, it helps that they're both fat now! :) The only part that I find disconcerting is that Jim told me they have a large dry-erase board in their bedroom and it is their prayer list. This is not the disconcerting part. My NAME is at the top of his prayer list, in the bedroom we once had a lot of quality time together. Pray for me all day long, I don't care, just put it in the living room, or put my name at the bottom or just say a silent prayer for me in your head, or at least keep me in the dark about it. I don't think I was supposed to know about it actually. It just slipped out one day when he asked me if I was sleeping with Brian. I told him that line of questioning made me uncomfortable, given our past history. I kind of offhandedly shrugged and said, "Jim, don't worry about it." He said, "Well, I do worry about it. You know how I feel about you...felt about you. Your name is always at the top of my prayer list!" "Prayer list?" I asked. "We have a dry-erase board in our bedroom and your name is at the top of my list." "Ummmm...weird...thanks, though."
Anyway, I will admit I was in love with him at one time. Have you ever met someone and you were so in love with them, but you knew there were too many obstacles to overcome? The big obstacle was our ages...he is 22 year older than me. 22 YEARS. At first, we tried to kid ourselves. He didn't look 22 years older than me. But the bottom line was always that I never felt comfortable introducing him to my mother. Why? Because he is older than BOTH of my parents! It was a very Monica and Richard ( from the show Friends) kind of relationship. Ironically, Richard was played by Tom Selleck, who Eric thinks Jim looks like.
Okay, my Jim digression is over. I just wanted everyone on the same page when I make references to him.
I'm in Freeport all day tomorrow at a conference.
Today was a busy day for me. I took advantage of the fact that the office stayed connected online all day today and caught up on some of my Augusta work. In the midst of all of that, Jim emailed and originally wanted information for his daughter Sara, who is a freshmen on campus this year. Then, that turned into "Can you get Justin (his son) a job at the gym?" Justin is a junior in college and in the middle of transferring back here.
I got the "I'm so glad we're still friends after I seduced you while you were my student and I was your professor and oh, we were so bad!" speech. Actually, truth be told, I probably played a bigger part in the seduction! :) And yes, we're still friends. We go to the same church and I am friends with his new wife. He wasn't married when we were together. He was actually the witness that got me going back to church and for that, he will always hold a dear spot in my heart. It didn't end bad. I happened to meet a man one night (Brian) and I knew I couldn't continue seeing Jim. I still wasn't prepared for Jim to drop the bombshell on me just 3 weeks later, telling he was getting married to someone from church. Lots of agonzing and confusing talks later, we're good. We've concluded he's crazy. Who proposes after 3 weeks? He's happy, though. God works in mysterious ways. I'm okay with it and very happy for them because I know I love Brian and I made the right choice. Plus, it helps that they're both fat now! :) The only part that I find disconcerting is that Jim told me they have a large dry-erase board in their bedroom and it is their prayer list. This is not the disconcerting part. My NAME is at the top of his prayer list, in the bedroom we once had a lot of quality time together. Pray for me all day long, I don't care, just put it in the living room, or put my name at the bottom or just say a silent prayer for me in your head, or at least keep me in the dark about it. I don't think I was supposed to know about it actually. It just slipped out one day when he asked me if I was sleeping with Brian. I told him that line of questioning made me uncomfortable, given our past history. I kind of offhandedly shrugged and said, "Jim, don't worry about it." He said, "Well, I do worry about it. You know how I feel about you...felt about you. Your name is always at the top of my prayer list!" "Prayer list?" I asked. "We have a dry-erase board in our bedroom and your name is at the top of my list." "Ummmm...weird...thanks, though."
Anyway, I will admit I was in love with him at one time. Have you ever met someone and you were so in love with them, but you knew there were too many obstacles to overcome? The big obstacle was our ages...he is 22 year older than me. 22 YEARS. At first, we tried to kid ourselves. He didn't look 22 years older than me. But the bottom line was always that I never felt comfortable introducing him to my mother. Why? Because he is older than BOTH of my parents! It was a very Monica and Richard ( from the show Friends) kind of relationship. Ironically, Richard was played by Tom Selleck, who Eric thinks Jim looks like.
Okay, my Jim digression is over. I just wanted everyone on the same page when I make references to him.
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