It is like totally raining outside. July is almost over. I really don't ever like August. Not sure why. A combination of knowing summer is almost over and another winter is approaching and the incredibly hot and muggy air getting me grumpy probably. My anxiety typically is at its high in August. However, I LOVE fall. It is my favorite season. Especially around here. As you may recall, we were still going to the beach in November. I love fall because of the cool night time air for sleeping and because I can wear jeans again! And all my clothes that I haven't been able to wear all summer.
Let's see if there is anything to blog about...I have to go grocery and household shopping today. It is pouring outside. This will at least cancel our outside use water ban, not that I noticed anyone obeying said water ban. Do the police really drive around town to see whose water sprinklers are coming on at 2 AM?
Shark WEEK! Love love love it. I wait all year for it. Now it is almost over.
So this AM, I guess I will drop Zach off, run to the post office, enjoy absolutely NO beach traffic (thank you rain), and try to get my grocery shopping done before it gets busier.
This is officially the most boring post ever, I think.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
July 30, 2008
My birthday was very nice. Mitch and I had another enjoyable dining experience at DiMillo's. He bought me 2 dozen roses. A dock for my iPod that goes in the car. Charges it and also plays my tunes thru the radio. I also got a digital photo key chain. AND he bought me my favorite gift of all...the new FliP video camera! In white and pink of course. That was the tricky part. Around here, he could find just about any color but the pink one, and if they had the store model, it wasn't in stock and they all said it had to be special ordered. Finally, he did find one in stock after 3 or 4 tries. It holds 60 mins of video before you have to download it, but with a "flip" of a switch, the side opens up to reveal a USB that plugs right into your laptop. Downloads movies to iMovie and/or uploads them to youtube if you so wish.
Now I am just waiting for the final gift of my birthday. My new puggle. He will look a little something like this:
Now I am just waiting for the final gift of my birthday. My new puggle. He will look a little something like this:
Friday, July 25, 2008
Still Exhausted
So much for doing much of anything yesterday! Mitch and I took a three hour nap. We ran to Walmart, bought a few things, cooked supper, ate around 9PM and both went back to bed and both of us quickly fell back to sleep. Mitch has an excuse for being exhausted. Me? Same old stuff around here. I have no explanation.
Work should be fun today. We are having our employee recognition "fun day" bbq today.
Work should be fun today. We are having our employee recognition "fun day" bbq today.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
July 24th, 2008
I have today off. I am going to jump in the shower, run or do the quick errands that I have to and then enjoy the day off with Mitch. Not sure what we'll do today. It was predicted to be heavy rain all day and right now, it is hazy/sunny and extremely hot and humid. So humid in fact, the air feels heavy and wet. Ick. Probably a mall day or something, just to stay in some air conditioning.
Sunday night/Monday day, Mitch is taking me to Portland for my birthday. We'll hopefully have a nice dinner at DiMillo's and recreate one of our favorite dates. Monday will be shopping in Freeport I hope and then home again so I can work Tuesday. :(
Sunday night/Monday day, Mitch is taking me to Portland for my birthday. We'll hopefully have a nice dinner at DiMillo's and recreate one of our favorite dates. Monday will be shopping in Freeport I hope and then home again so I can work Tuesday. :(
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Yummy Goodness
Soooo work today was so much better! That was a relief! I don't think I could have taken one more day of how things were like last week. I am exhausted today, though. It is all I can do to stay awake right now. But I have to. Mitch is working late and can't pick up Zach after football practice tonight and Zach needs to be picked up at 7ish PM. It is only 5:35 PM and I am so ready for bed.
I am eating my supper alone. Yummy Boston Market, so that makes up for being alone and I'm drinking a yummy Barq's root beer. Of course, I am not alone when I am with my Sierra doggie.
At the Jamestown Library today they were having a used book sale. I hit pay dirt! AND they accepted checks. I was afraid it would be a cash only deal and since I pay for everything with debit or credit cards I had no cash. Then the librarian said they would take a check and I just happened to be the one carrying the checkbook today!
The jeep has a flat today. A nail sticking out. I was taking the suburban anyway because that is what I drive on Tuesdays so really no big deal. Mitch said he'll change the tire when he gets home from work tonight. Thank goodness for floodlights!
I am eating my supper alone. Yummy Boston Market, so that makes up for being alone and I'm drinking a yummy Barq's root beer. Of course, I am not alone when I am with my Sierra doggie.
At the Jamestown Library today they were having a used book sale. I hit pay dirt! AND they accepted checks. I was afraid it would be a cash only deal and since I pay for everything with debit or credit cards I had no cash. Then the librarian said they would take a check and I just happened to be the one carrying the checkbook today!
The jeep has a flat today. A nail sticking out. I was taking the suburban anyway because that is what I drive on Tuesdays so really no big deal. Mitch said he'll change the tire when he gets home from work tonight. Thank goodness for floodlights!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Dog Dayz
She is doing so well not getting on my new couch and loveseat. Of course it is much cooler on the wood floors in front of the fan!
My Precious
I am mostly just riled up because of the reader's online comments to an article last week in the BDN. So much ignorance. Too angry to do the breed much good by posting my own comments.
Sierra Sleeping
All this researching and searching today for a new puppy has made me love my baby even more (like that was possible!) SOOOO many irresponsible and ignorant backyard breeders out there. Rescues and shelters aren't a whole lot better. The Bangor Humane Society where I got my Sierra is above and beyond what a "shelter" should be...and even there I paid almost $300 for her, BUT she came spayed by their in-house vet.
AND YOU ignorant gang member breeders trying to claim lineage. If you're so smart, maybe you can try to work on your English! As an English teacher, I reserve the right to say so! This breed has enough of a burden to carry without you promoting dog fighting.
What is ironic is that Sierra would fight to the death for me, yet I am the one that occasionally needs the muzzle!
AND YOU ignorant gang member breeders trying to claim lineage. If you're so smart, maybe you can try to work on your English! As an English teacher, I reserve the right to say so! This breed has enough of a burden to carry without you promoting dog fighting.
What is ironic is that Sierra would fight to the death for me, yet I am the one that occasionally needs the muzzle!
Craziness
Today is just a plain old crappy day. Trying to come up with lesson plans for the next few weeks and not having any luck. The challenge is coming up with an idea that will hold the attention of a variety of levels of attentiveness, while including adjustments for a variety of levels of ability. The program is for people with developmental disabilities and because this day program is still relatively new, we're dealing with a lot of behaviors (staff included), scheduling conflicts, communication breakdowns, all the whilst lesson planning and performing job duties AND having to keep a positive attitude while doing so. I'm struggling with the positive attitude part. Routines are as important to me as they are to the individuals we support and for the last month we haven't really had a routine. My schedule has changed almost weekly. Mostly minor adjustments but enough to throw me for a loop. Normally, I love a challenge, even in the midst of routinelessness, but we also moved in the last month, so there is a lack of routine when I get home, too. My girls are in Maine and will be there until the first weekend of August. Zach has been busy with his friends ALL the time. Don't even get me started on Mitch's pain in the a** schedule lately.
I desperately need a vacation BUT I have been hesitant to take one with the day program just barely underway. I am certainly not the only one feeling the strain at work and more than likely, my strain is less than what it is for some of the staff, some of whom have worked for over 20 years. We have open shifts, not enough bodies to cover most of them (the open ones), in house cat fighting, and some staff are just being down right nasty.
Allison's birthday is tomorrow, so Happy Birthday to her.
I have also been looking at getting another dog. A boy puppy for Sierra. I have narrowed the search down to:
1. another pitbull (since Sierra loves boy dogs this should be no trouble)
2. a teacup Yorkie (they are sooooo darn adorable) and b/c the house is smaller, this would make some sense
3. a Golden Retriever (I owned one when the girls were little and am only hesitant because goldens in my experience seem to have an extended chewing phase)
I also love American Bull dogs but they are pricey, as are the Yorkies. I have also considered another shelter dog, but my main purpose of getting another dog is so the dogs ages are staggered. A lot of them are already Sierra's age. I'm not crazy about the puppy housebreaking phase but Sierra is a very well trained, well behaved dog and my hope is that she will help with this by modeling good behavior. And if I want a baby, I want the dog training part to be done with because of the lack of adequate training time after a baby. Ideally, I would want the puppy to reach a year or so old before the baby process. But really, when has my life ever gone according to as planned??? Ummm, never.
My wheels have been turning about a 1000 miles per minute. Really we have everything we need. The vicious cycle of getting everything is there is always something else. One more thing to make me really happy. A new flat tv. A new dog. A new car. A new baby.
What I really want and really need is a mediation day to NOT think about any of this stuff. Not think about work. Not think about stuff I want. Not think about schedules. Just me and God.
I desperately need a vacation BUT I have been hesitant to take one with the day program just barely underway. I am certainly not the only one feeling the strain at work and more than likely, my strain is less than what it is for some of the staff, some of whom have worked for over 20 years. We have open shifts, not enough bodies to cover most of them (the open ones), in house cat fighting, and some staff are just being down right nasty.
Allison's birthday is tomorrow, so Happy Birthday to her.
I have also been looking at getting another dog. A boy puppy for Sierra. I have narrowed the search down to:
1. another pitbull (since Sierra loves boy dogs this should be no trouble)
2. a teacup Yorkie (they are sooooo darn adorable) and b/c the house is smaller, this would make some sense
3. a Golden Retriever (I owned one when the girls were little and am only hesitant because goldens in my experience seem to have an extended chewing phase)
I also love American Bull dogs but they are pricey, as are the Yorkies. I have also considered another shelter dog, but my main purpose of getting another dog is so the dogs ages are staggered. A lot of them are already Sierra's age. I'm not crazy about the puppy housebreaking phase but Sierra is a very well trained, well behaved dog and my hope is that she will help with this by modeling good behavior. And if I want a baby, I want the dog training part to be done with because of the lack of adequate training time after a baby. Ideally, I would want the puppy to reach a year or so old before the baby process. But really, when has my life ever gone according to as planned??? Ummm, never.
My wheels have been turning about a 1000 miles per minute. Really we have everything we need. The vicious cycle of getting everything is there is always something else. One more thing to make me really happy. A new flat tv. A new dog. A new car. A new baby.
What I really want and really need is a mediation day to NOT think about any of this stuff. Not think about work. Not think about stuff I want. Not think about schedules. Just me and God.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
I'm Feeling...Hot Hot Hot
Actually for the first time in days...weeks...I feel comfortable. The humidity is still there, but the temp has dropped a little. Zach and I are watching King Kong. We were going to go to the drive in, but time got away from us today. We are just now finishing supper. He and his friend Josh played video games/computer games, rode bikes and skateboarded for most of the afternoon. Earlier in the morning, Zach and I went shopping. I bought comforters for the girls room. Some more golf skirts. Two movies for Zach. Some new shorts. A cute little brown sundress on clearance. We went with the intention of buying school supplies. Walmart was having a good sale and last year we waited until the last minute and I ended up paying 5x's as much...but I forgot my original plan.
I seriously have to get my bedroom unpacked. It has been so stinking hot and work has been kinda stressful so I have not wanted to do it. Maybe tomorrow.
I seriously have to get my bedroom unpacked. It has been so stinking hot and work has been kinda stressful so I have not wanted to do it. Maybe tomorrow.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
July 18, 2008
Sierra is doing fairly well staying off the new couch and loveseat. I still let her sleep in the recliner and she has been using her dog bed more and being a good sport about it. I am sure when we're not in residence, she is on the couch, but I was smart enough to get the furniture in a shade as close to her color as possible. Cardis Furniture calls it "Cocoa"...to me it is more "coffee-light on the cream." Another reason we (I) decided on this color is because coffee sloshes will blend in well too!
I have the whole dang day off! It is certainly a beach day, but there is a good chance I will just enjoy the sun from my backyard. Zach got one of those slip and slides that has a skimmer board a few months ago. You ride down the slide on the board doing tricks. Well, it doubles as a sun tanning mat for me. It holds just enough water to keep you cool in the sun, but not enough to submerge your skin from the sun. Plus I feel more comfortable tanning, let's just say, less dressed, in the backyard than at the beach. Of course, this will be the day the neighbors decide to be neighborly and bring over brownies or something!
I have the whole dang day off! It is certainly a beach day, but there is a good chance I will just enjoy the sun from my backyard. Zach got one of those slip and slides that has a skimmer board a few months ago. You ride down the slide on the board doing tricks. Well, it doubles as a sun tanning mat for me. It holds just enough water to keep you cool in the sun, but not enough to submerge your skin from the sun. Plus I feel more comfortable tanning, let's just say, less dressed, in the backyard than at the beach. Of course, this will be the day the neighbors decide to be neighborly and bring over brownies or something!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Finally!!
I am back online! Took longer than expected but we had a lot of stuff to do around here getting settled into our new home, and also with work for the both of us, and before we knew it, like two weeks flew right by!
I hate not being online. It feels like I am disconnected from everyone and everything. I am going to be a new auntie! My sister is pregnant (again) with my future nephew! Gracie will now be a big sister! I can't believe she will be three this winter!
My girls are enjoying a few weeks in Maine visiting family and friends. They will be excited to know that cable and internet will be here waiting for them. They are having way too much fun for me to succumb to my loneliness and go and pick them up early. Hayley turned 17 yesterday. Kayla will be 19 in February. Time to stretch the umbilical cord a little, I guess. Cut it? NEVER!!!
Zach's Aunt Christy is pregnant too, but with a girl, due about the same time. Her baby shower was this weekend and unfortnately, I could not attend. It is an 8-hour drive just one way. Jen was kind enough to send pics of the shower. One of the happiest times of my life was when Christy and Mike's mother, and me and Mike were waiting for Zachary to make his appearance.
Speaking of Zachie, he is spending just about every day at the beach with his friends, or riding his bike around town. There are a ton of things to do around here in the summer, festivals, surf competitions, concerts, etc., and he is having the time of his life. To be 14 again, with nothing but summer on your hands! He does have football practice every Tuesday and Thursday night. I can't believe he is playing high school football! I can't believe he is in high school! He was such an adorable baby and little boy, but I have to say, he is turning into a very handsome boy-man. His voice is deepening and he shaves his little mustache...the peach fuzz on the corners seems to be a bit darker than the rest of it and it makes his lip look dirty, so I make him shave it. But he still has a few minutes every day to cuddle. I know he does this for my benefit.
I hate not being online. It feels like I am disconnected from everyone and everything. I am going to be a new auntie! My sister is pregnant (again) with my future nephew! Gracie will now be a big sister! I can't believe she will be three this winter!
My girls are enjoying a few weeks in Maine visiting family and friends. They will be excited to know that cable and internet will be here waiting for them. They are having way too much fun for me to succumb to my loneliness and go and pick them up early. Hayley turned 17 yesterday. Kayla will be 19 in February. Time to stretch the umbilical cord a little, I guess. Cut it? NEVER!!!
Zach's Aunt Christy is pregnant too, but with a girl, due about the same time. Her baby shower was this weekend and unfortnately, I could not attend. It is an 8-hour drive just one way. Jen was kind enough to send pics of the shower. One of the happiest times of my life was when Christy and Mike's mother, and me and Mike were waiting for Zachary to make his appearance.
Speaking of Zachie, he is spending just about every day at the beach with his friends, or riding his bike around town. There are a ton of things to do around here in the summer, festivals, surf competitions, concerts, etc., and he is having the time of his life. To be 14 again, with nothing but summer on your hands! He does have football practice every Tuesday and Thursday night. I can't believe he is playing high school football! I can't believe he is in high school! He was such an adorable baby and little boy, but I have to say, he is turning into a very handsome boy-man. His voice is deepening and he shaves his little mustache...the peach fuzz on the corners seems to be a bit darker than the rest of it and it makes his lip look dirty, so I make him shave it. But he still has a few minutes every day to cuddle. I know he does this for my benefit.
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