8 days and counting

Only 8 days left until my trip back to MI. Now if I could just get packed! I'm excited, but so not ready for the 10 hour drive with just Finn and I. I had some stuff packed, but Finni decided he didn't like what I packed and unpacked EVERYTHING!!! I do mean everything too. I have now learned to keep the bags zipped close and the toiletries off the floor. First he was laying in the suitcase all cute, then he took it all out. Crazy dog.

I hope i get to see everyone at least once. I can't wait for the Tiger's Game!!! See you all soon!

Sorry

So guess I can't say certain things here. I just wanted a place to vent about things and not get in trouble for them. I wanted to keep every one updated on my life out here and for you to know that I have not forgotten you. Please realize that even though I miss and love you all, I'm happy here. I love the life I have, my guy, and my friends. I'm still working on getting settled. Sometimes I say things that may give others the wrong impression. Please talk to me to clarify. These are just moment thoughts and feelings that come and go. If you really want to know what's up with me, call or talk to me. Send me an e-mail for personal matters. This is simply a space for me to run on and on about nothing really and not to have to fear judgment. We all need that now and again. Somethings come out here that may change right after I write them. That's how I am. I know I need to work on me and maybe that should be my focus. Who knows, but I'll figure it out, someday. :)

Almost 9

It's hard to believe that my best friend Lisa's daughter, is going to be 9 this September. After spending time on the phone with Lisa this afternoon and hearing all about the wonderful and eventful things that go on in her family. I cannot help but think back over these past 10 years that I have known her and her family. I remember showing up the first time to her first apartment in July with Jen, Beej, Maria, and myself to find her very pregnant and trying to haul in groceries. I still have pictures of Camryn and Anthony in my house, although they are outdated. I remember Camryn telling me, in all seriousness, that if you run with a knife (her's was plastic at the time) you will fall on it and DIE!!! She was 3 at the time. My next favorite memory was right after Anthony was born. Joseph and I went over to their house and decorated it for Lisa and Anthony's homecoming. It was a sight to behold with streamers and balloons, there were even cute little messages on them. I think Camryn enjoyed it the most. I remember all the afternoon swimming in the pool with the kids, secretly hoping to turn them into the next Olympians, evenings on the deck relaxing and drinking, neck rubs for Lisa because Christian just can't seem to get it right, holidays with the kids and their family, and just daily activities with them.

When Lisa told me how grown up Camryn is getting it made me realize how much I am missing. Not only from their lives, but from Lauren's family and Kristy's (well not kids per say but Casper). It's hard to think of Camryn as a tween. Before I know it she'll be a teenager, then I'll being cracking up at how Christian will be reacting to all this.

I want you all to know that I love you all and miss you. I'll see you in not quite two weeks. Hope to get some QT with everyone!

Tasks

Since I had the ENTIRE day off with no work, none, nada I decided to get my to do list done. It looked like this:
1. Laundry
2. Dishes
3. Balance checkbook (YUCK!)
4. Drop off clothes and stuff to Good will
5. Pick up Jim's paycheck
6. Deposit check
7. Rent check to Dave
8. Finn to dog park
9. Straighten living room
10. Grad school journal and discussions
11. Return to Sam's Club
12. Tuition bills for the B of E
13. Clean walls
14. Vacuum (double YUCK!)
15. Bake a cake (YUMMY!)

As of 4:30p.m. all I have left to do is the cake! Go me! I rock!!! Gotta love productive days!!! Now I the rest the weekend COMPLETELY OFF!!! YEAH!!!!!!!

School Support

My cousin-in-law, Mr. Mike Lee, sent me this notice about a Sport Aid function to help out our school and all those athletes. Please check out Sports Aid 2008 and maybe even head out to check it out. It sucks that our old school had to go to pay to play. I'm waiting for that to hit here. I'm sure it's not too far off in the future, especially with the way the economy is going. I'd love to go, but will be on my family camping trip. Again, check it out if you're around. It is for a good cause after all.

Maids

Some I never thought that keeping a house clean was that big or hard of a deal. It seems that simply cleaning up after my roommate, her dog, and myself was not. Picking up after Jim and Finn is. Maybe since when I lived in North Beach I only taught school and did not have two other jobs and grad school. I really need a maid!

It's amazing that even though I am off for the summer I am still never home. I leave Monday-Saturday mornings at 6 a.m. (earlier than when I go to school mind you) and return weekdays around 4 p.m. and Saturdays by 10 a.m. This does not include my workout time. Don't get me wrong... I love my Big V! Then I need to work on grad school stuff (not my best idea). Anyone want to come and clean and do my work for me?

This week will hopefully be my last week working on curriculum, I pray. I spent 5 hours in the office working on it and have to go in tomorrow for another 5 or more. I am happy I got involved because I am making some great friends and contacts along the way. I can see myself moving up in the education field. It just is a lot harder than I ever thought to create a curriculum from scratch.

I am looking forward to having Friday to Sunday COMPLETELY off!!! I plan on doing nothing but hanging out at the pool or taking the boys to the beach to swim. Now if I could just figure out how to get paid the big bucks doing this I'd be set!

Tradition

Check out our super cool old camper online. The Avion has been part of our family camping trip since I was a toddler. Those that have been to my parents' house, in Leonard, will have seen it next to the barn. Just thought you'd like to take a look at the long history it has. I'm impressed that my dad did something like that online!

Summertime!

So I have been official out of school fro two days now. Yet everyday I have been at the pool for at least 8-12 hours. Not that I mind, but I thought the reason I took smaller paychecks during the school year was to avoid working and still get paid in the summer. I guess double dipping won't be too bad. Especially since Jim is taking two weeks off of work to go camping, good thing I'm getting paid extra!! I'm really excited that he's coming for the whole time. I really want to take him up to MQT to see NMU and all the other great stuff I did up there. I know two days won't be enough, but it's better than nothing, plus I want my beach time!!! I can't wait to head back to MI for a few weeks to see everyone! I miss you all so much! I look forward to spending some time with the ladies...cocktail hour!

The boys

You really have to love a group of guys that have been friends for longer than any of them can remember. These guys and their wives or girlfriends hang out all the time. I cannot remember a time where we did anything that didn't involve at least half of the. They a such a great group. A little scary and intimidating at first to an outsider, but very quickly you become part of their family. They are there for you at the drop of a hat. They let your dog out when you have to work late, take you out on their boats, help you move, water your flowers when you're gone for the weekend, pick you up from the bar when you're to drunk to drive and have no money for a cab ride home, give you jobs, and make you feel like family. I think it is so amazing how any of them would be there for the other no questions asked. Every single on of these guys and girls have made my life here in Maryland so much better. I love them all dearly and cannot imagine what my life would be without them. I just want them all to know how much they all mean to me

Trust me there are more than those pictured above. Missing are Eddie, Josh, Matt, Robbie (both of them), all the girls, KP, Brenden, and several more that I can't recall.

Stop this...

Please take a look at the link below. I'm disgusted that people allow this to go on. Dogs have feelings and just want to be loved as much as they love you. In a way they are like children because they rely on us for so much. People who do this need to be put through everything that they put these dogs though. I am just so disgusted. Please look at this if you can stomach it. I cried.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWPtGs39mYw

Police

So yesterday after swim practice I was driving home only to be pulled over. Yes, I was speeding. Yes, I was driving the little red sports car. I know better, but hunger makes you crazy. I noticed him as I was changing lanes, slowing down, and descending a hill. Of course, off went the lights and I pulled over to the side of the road.

He approached..."Do you know why I pulled you over?"
Me..."I was speeding."
Cop..."How fast to do think you were going?
Me..."well when I looked down it was like 80 (mind you this is a 55) and was like OMG I need to slow down. Then I saw your lights"
Cop..."License and registration please."
Me..."OK" Some small talk about work, my driving record (gulp!), and he left.
Cop..."Did you see me and then slow down or slow down and then see me?"
Me..."Slowed down and then saw your lights." (like I would say I saw him first!)
Cop..."Well I'll just give you a warning because you stated the same thing both times I asked. Slow down and be nice to your students."
Me..."Thank you and I'll try!!!"

Thank you Jesus for hearing my prayers! I so could not afford another ticket. I'm so watching my speed better...for the moment. I'm not going to lie, I know I'll speed again. It's like a drug in that car!

What a guy

So since I found out my job has been reduced, Jim has looked for a new job for me. He found one in Annapolis that is just down the road, like less than 5 minutes. The only problem is it's a private school and Pre k-8 school. Not really something I want to do. It was great for him to look out for me. I'm still hoping to hear from AAC for something there, but my two heads of departments in PG have been looking for me as well. They're awesome.

Finn update...Jim and Finn went back to the vet on Friday. The doctor said we need to push him a little harder because he should be walking on his leg a little more. He has to go swimming at least 3 days a week and for about 15 minutes. He can also go through his range of motion. He didn't whine once for the vet, but when we do it he wiggles and cries. What a brat! Such a drama pup, just like his momma according to Jim. At least we got some more pain meds for him and those seem to help a little more as well.

Jim update...he took his Firefighters test on Saturday. There were like 1600 people there to take the test. Let's keep our fingers crossed that he passes on moves on to the 2nd and 3rd rounds. If all goes well he'll start training in December. After that he's really a firefighter. Please wish him the best of luck in this long process. He's currently working at Adam's Ribs in Edgewater cooking, catering, and whatever else they need him to do. He's till doing mortgages, but on a part time bases since the market is so bad right now.

As for me...I'm just counting down the days until I don't have to drive all the way to GPHS five days a week. The 100 plus miles a day is getting tiring. I'm working out 5-7 days a week. I took a spinning class on Saturday with Megs and Patty. I'm still hurting from that!!! I enjoy the different classes and hopefully will start to see the benefits soon! Other than that I'm working at school and coaching as well as trying to stay on top of my grad school class.

Reduced

I'm being reduced. My job will no longer exist next year. I'm not being laid off, but I will be assigned a new school. Thank goodness for tenure!!! It just sucks because I have no idea where I will be at next year. I could end up driving more and teaching in the REALLY bad parts. Hopefully all will turn out for the best. Well off to a cook out. I'm just tired of it all.