Another busy day here.....hard for me to keep up with the posts......

Oh, Mouse.....that hand!!!!! At this point I would swim with the darned thing.....make sure it was clean before you go in, and as long as it does not appear infected, swim away!! Let us know what the Dr says, though.

Robyn- well, how were the inlaws?????? Mine serves "dinner" at 3 pm also.....too early for dinner, too late for lunch........and then you need a snack at 8pm (when she can sucker you in to stay for more food!). Aw, I hope your day went well.......and DON'T get me started on inlaws!!!!! (I can rant and rave for hours)

Kerry- Did you find a rug???? Sounds like you had a nice day.....I would love to be able to walk to church (we live 3 miles from it). Good for you getting all that walking in Saturday too!!! (WTG sticking to your guns......hang in there!)

Summer- glad the BBQ went well......My yard needs help!!!!!!!Want to come redesign mine???? BTW- around here the going rate for weeding is $30/hour......Ds and 2 buddies (one of whom's mom really set up the business, she is a master gardener who will more than likely be a guest on a Martha Stewart Living production) were paid a total of $30/hour to weed or mulch. Sounds like a good trip to BJ's. We belong to Sam's and you can save a bundle if you shop wisely.

Queenie- ok so we have totally scared you off now from teaching, right????? (even though I am not a teacher!) But I agree with Summer- and have heard this too from some teachers thru the years...everyone has a specific age that they relate too better than others....guess that is the tough part, figureing out which it is. And yes, this gets a little silly once we are in the trenches.......January is the pits for me, as the days seem so short......so is my temper.......the kids can't get outside......colds abound......but I totally agree with Summer,(I think?) that the light on a childs face when something clicks is worth all the abuse!!!! Ok, I do not teach a subject......but I talk to my kids all the time- safety issues and the like....and when they can actually answer their own questions - or I hear one of them say "don't do that, Mrs. S (me) says it is unsafe.....or something like that.....or the kid who cried for days getting on the bus gives you a hug.....or even bigger than that a student confides in you about some big personal issue (got one HS student I have been praying for all summer, gosh I hope he is ok!)......well, then it is all worthwhile. If you can touch one life- make one kids life better/easier........these kids do have it hard these days...there is your payback.

Got Dd a car- a silver (actually champagne metallic, they call it silver) Altima with 33,000 miles on it in beautiful shape! (wish I had this car). Even Dh had to approve of the choice......hehehe.
Off to play Scrabble with Dd and Dh. Enjoy what is left of your weekend.
Ginny

And I though I was going to be short............I am such a blabberpuss.

Evening Ladies,
Sounds like everyone has a had a great day! My day was great. This evening I took the kiddos and my mil to her church for evening services. It was a trip trying to keep two twin 6 year old boys entertained during church to pay attention. We no sooner got out of the church and one of the twin's said that we need to get dad to come to church with us. It is fun to listen about God. Daddy needs to find the Holy Spirit again. My mil and I were just floored that a 6 year old would come to that realization. We got home and he said that to his dad and his dad really couldn't say much after that one. Time will tell if he will listen and follow through with Justin's request.
Mouse I would try to go swimming anyway. You have been so good in waiting and so looking forward to getting in the pool again. I am like you too a big worrywart. I hope that guy doesn't cause any problems with you about the cars.
Ginny congrats on finding a car. Sounds like you did a great job on all your research. Glad to hear that your dh approves. So any other major purchases between now and the end of August. Or can you relax for a few weeks before having to pack up your dd for college.
Robyn hope your dinner at the inlaws was okay. I know what you mean about getting together with the inlaws. I get along great with my mother in law, it is just some of my dh's siblings and spouses that I have problems with at times.
Summer glad to hear that your BBQ last night was a huge success. It was great to hear the happiness in your post. You deserved to have a little time of relaxation and great company. Sounds like everyone enjoyed your scrapbook from DW.
Queenie I hope you come back to visit us. We are a very supportive group. You can be having a bad day and come to this fourm and be cheered up.
Well I have had a long day. So I think I am going to try to go to sleep for a little while.
Talk to you all later. Have a great Monday!
Kerry

Good morning!

Kerry- isn't it funny how children can see things so very clearly..........I know our oldest Dd was one of the reasons that we got Dh back into church... Give that 6 year old a big hug...........and his brother too! Let Justin's admonition and a bit of divine intervention do their work.......and be watch and wait...... Sounds as though you had a great Sunday.

As for me, Dd has soccer camp this week (I will miss her......the 8 yr old). Then I have to go for an echocardiogram. This is (hopefully!) a recheck on my heart murmmer- which I have had for years.....has never amounted to anything.....and the Dr just wants to see that there is no change. And of course I have SO much time for this kind of stuff during the school year- so I am going this am. Then tonite I have to take Ds to his pitching coach... gosh today is going to be busy. I did get my WW tape in this am (4 AP's!) - the only way I was going to get a work out in.
BTW- yes the car is really about the end of the big purchases for Dd- short of some more dorm room items (refrigerator being the biggest). And she can put her own computer together!!!!!!!!
Gotta go make breakfast for the troops.....hope everyone has a great day.
Ginny

I remember going off to college in 1991. No car, but freshman weren't allowed to have them. It made life challenging because when I started at Hood College there was no way to get from Frederick, MD to Lancaster. I could go from Hood to DC and then to Philadelphia by train, but not directly to Lancaster. My mom had to come down and pick me up most of the time. And then I left Hood... spent a year working at the community college for free tuition because I left too late to get financial aid or scholarships at my chosen University... CW Post. Took 15 credits almost free, which was fantastic.
Went to Post, learned how to take the bus up there to the grocery store, and the LIRR into the City so I could go home. One time, I got to fly back because US Air has a student fare thingy, so I could fly really cheaply from Lancaster to La Guardia and take the subway to the LIRR. And then my junior year I started doing student teaching observations and such, so we finally got a car. This was 1994-95, and my mom and a good friend of our family picked out a 1984 Town and Country station wagon! I was mortified! But boy, was I POPULAR with my friends that year; I don't drink, and I had a car that could fit everybody! I was even more popular with my suitemates: one of them used a wheelchair and we always used my car so she could come with us; and then whenever we had fire drills on cold nights, we'd huddle in my car.
The car survived until just after graduation, when I bought my first Saturn. I haven't owned anything but a Saturn since then.
But it was funny. We didn't have ANY money to buy anything I needed for my dorm room... well, very little... I see what they sell now for dorm rooms and how they recommend decorating and I'm just floored.
I just heard from the doctor's office: they think it might be infected so they want to see me. But, my primary care doctor is on vacation, so I'm going to see the nurse practioner. : We'll see how that goes.

Mouse,
MY husband has had wonderful experiences with nurse practioners.....I think the level of care for something like you have is actually better. Not that MD's are bad,just they can get caught up in all the paperwork.......the NP's give you a more personal touch.
Good luck- let us know how you make out.

Survived the echo- stupid me I had a ton of coffee this am.....hope it does not mess up the results.
Guess I'd better go get something done.....see ya later!
Ginny

(of course you know come September I will be lucky to get here once a day.....)

Oh, and BTW, Mouse.....I agree with this decorate the dorm thing....think you have to pay for books......essentials.....and I must admit Dd is being great about this- she is not asking for tons of $ for anything, and she worked hard for her scholarships....all Mom and Dad have to pay for is room and board, which is why she is getting a car. We are not loaded......not by a long shot!

Let's try this one more time. I typed out a post and then went to send it. It came back saying the page was not found. So I turned off the computer for a little while.
My morning was okay. The dh and I had words this morning. Once again I slept in and he started about me eating late. I don't think eating breakfast at 9:15 in the morning is late. But of course, I was the one who had to fix waffles for the kids and try to clean up the kitchen from last night's dinner too. So I ate my two pieces of toast and drank a glass of milk. He was still running his chops and said that he wouldn't go to the concert with me tomorrow night. I called his bluff and said good I don't want to go with you after all. He does this stuff to try and get out of going to things after he has promised me that we would go. I use to get mad at him and then sit around and pout. I don't do that anymore. I just speak my mind and go with life.
I swept all the floors and did a load of laundry. So I think my housework for the day is done. I just might finally be able to go to Curves to work out.
Sounds like you had a busy morning there Ginny. Glad that your test went fine. When will you hear about your results? Show me a teacher or bus driver who is loaded with a lot of money. I don't know why people think that people in the education world makes tons of money. Most of my in-law's think that I am rich and have all kinds of money to spend on stuff. Little do they realize how much we have to forgo in order to live comfortably.
Mouse I hope your hand gets better soon. Things have to start looking up for you soon. Sounds like you have been hitting brick walls every time you turn around to do something huh. I am sending you some (((hugs))). I hope they make you feel better and things start going in your favor soon.
Robyn and Summer I hope you are enjoying the last few weeks before school starts.
Well I best get my big butt moving out the door if I want to go to Cuvres today. Can you all tell my workout buddy was unable to go with me today? That is why I am having such a late start to my day.
Take care,
Kerry

Well I made it to the gym. I came home and spray painted some wooden blocks for school. So I guess working out motivated me to do some more stuff around the house. Hope everyone is having a good day!

Okay... if you can't tell from my sig, I am cleared to swim again! I just have to watch that it doesn't get infected anymore (it was a teeny bit, but not enough that they thought I needed more antibiotics... they think its just left over inflammation), and I can put hydorcortisone on it so it doesn't itch. It looks really nasty right now because the scab fell off in the pool, and there's all this dead skin... ICKY! I'm trying to resist the temptation to trim the dead skin off...
So that is my good news. I note that the district that I left to take my present job and that I am considering going back to (lot of the reason is because of the money, as horrid as that sounds... I'm tired of living paycheck to paycheck and working two jobs plus grad school! I want to be able to give my mom money each month to help her out, and get those undergrad loans paid off, buy a house....!!) now had TWO full-time career and transition positions open. TWO. I was there two years and they didn't have ANY... and one of them is at the school that I tried to get my school to go down and observe because they just don't seem to have a clear idea of what they're doing or what they should be doing for these kids. I really like the school's program and how it is set-up... I'm just not sure I should take that step and CALL the school directly. I'd leave a whole lot of people,mostly the students, in the lurch because we start fall session for staff in 2 weeks.
I'm not being egotistical, but I know they won't find somebody with my background to teach the introduction to voc. ed the way I will... and I really think the way I want to do it is going to be one of the best ways for the kids.

Mouse I am so happy that you are cleared to swim again. It did feel good to be in the water again? Just keep praying about your decision and things will work out for the best.
I think I might go for a bike ride tonight. For some reason, I feel so motivated and pumped up to go the extra mile to reach my goal of weighting 200 pounds by the end of this month. I only have 6 pounds to go. I think going to my cousin's wedding on Sept.18th has a lot to do with it. I haven't seen some of my cousins for a long time and they are going to be there. They all remember me as a chubby teenager, so I am hoping to shock some of them.
Well I will check back in with you all later.
Kerry

Mousie, Congrats that you can swim again!!! Now, about that job opportunity...how about some unsolicited advice? I know you are a wonderfully compassionate person, and that school is blessed to have someone as caring as you, but you need to look out for what is best for you. If making more money would make your life better...well then...do whatever is best for YOU!

Ginny, I have VERY SIMILAR experiences with my MIL. We have to eat lunch before going over there, aren't really hungry at 3pm, and then if we weren't smart enough to leave before 7pm, we get lured to stay and eat another meal around 730-8pm. MIL is sooooo manipulative...always has been. Right now she is on the outs with DH, so I have had a MIL free summer!

Kerry, it is wonderful that you are soooo motivated. You can definitely lose those 6 pounds before 9/18. YOU WILL DO IT!!!

Robyn, hey girl...where are you?

Queenie, now don't just take a survey and then skip out on us!

Well, I had acupuncture again. It really works. I am not 100%, but let me tell you, I was in agony the first time I went to the chiropractor. I know it is only a matter of time before I am healed. The cop wasn't there today, so I didn't have to listen to him "cry like a baby."

I did some errands, paid bills (did a balance transfer to a lower interest rate), and finished yet another filthy novel in the backyard while DD swam in the pool.

DH and I are considering eventually moving down south like Florida or Georgia. It is very unaffordable living in Fairfield County. The middle class is disappearing, and my area now consists of the wealthy and poor. With our financial circumstances, remaining here, we may end up being part of the latter. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about which parts of Florida and Georgia are affordable, have good schools, etc. Any information you have could be really helpful for us.

Tomorrow, DD's friend Erin is coming over (to drive me crazy) to play. She will only be over for four hours verses six hours last time. I need to maintain a nice relationship with this family because, 1. DD is friends with her and 2. Her mother will drive DD to school this year which will allow DH the opportunity to go into work early for overtime. I made a deal with the mom that I would watch Erin on snow days.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

I am thinking, praying, wondering about the decision. I've already introduced myself to the incoming kids, some of them already come looking for me and my TA to say good-bye at the end of the day. Its the KIDS that are keeping me there. Also, the kids I've had for the last 2 years are seniors this year: Already, they are not going to have me for homeroom this year. And that isn't fair to them. I'm not entirely sure they're going to care about me being in the building or not, but I think they might.
Also, it'd be a real chore to find an apartment, pack and move on no money at the end of this year. If I try to do it next summer, I can probably work for that district over the summer, they usually need staff... And I might be able to buy a place instead of just renting again. But, mostly, its the kids.
So... I've done the electronic applications, and posted my resume... and not heard anything. And I think I'll leave it alone. If I'm supposed to go back now, I will... and if not, well, I'd rather be in Pennsylvania and not Virginia.
As for Georgia and Florida: Oh, Summer, don't do it!!!! I know lots of teachers, parents etc in Florida, not as many in Georgia, and other parts of the South. They all, to a one, tell me how bad the schools are there for kids with special needs or any unique learning style.

Well I went for my bike ride. I even was able to go up a few small hills. Can you all tell that I hadn't been on a bike for a few years? I came home in time to hear the dh and ex get in to a little disagreement. The kids are 6 and 8 and she wants to get them a 4 wheeler for Christmas. Mind you we live in the city, so they wouldn't be able to ride it at our house. But still I think they are a little young for that. Plus we would spend all our Christmas money on a present for out at their house and they wouldn't have anything for here. So needless to say my dh didn't get to tell her that she needed to be at our house by 6 tomorrow evening to pick the kids up so we could go to the concert. So I called and left a polite message on her voice mail asking her to please try to pick up the kids by 6 tomorrow evening. Tonight she was 1 1/2 hours late picking up the kids. She didn't seem to mind that she was late either. It makes it hard on us when we have plans to run our errands in the evenings.
Mouse I understand your point. It sounds like you have done a lot of soul searching this past week or so. Stick it out for this year and then try again next year when you have more time to find a job and a place to buy.
Summer sounds like you had a good day. What trash novel did you finish? I have been reading a romace novel for the last week or so. It is a good book but just seem to only be able to read about 10 pages of it a day. I hope to finish it by the time school starts. LOL
Ginny did you hear which route you are getting for next year yet?
Robyn where you busy being MRS. FOREWOMEN today? How much longer do you have to do this?
Well I better go. I have a workshop for school tomorrow to go to. It is from 8:30 until 4. Then I am coming home to go to weigh in at TOPS and then off to my concert. I told my dh that it might be with or with out him. Regardless of what happens with his kids and his ex picking them up I am leaving the house around 6.
Have a great Tuesday! I might try to check in with you all in the morning before I leave the house.
Take care,
Kerry

WHAT a DAY! Called the "magic jury duty number" over the weekend and discovered that I had NO jury duty today! So I called two of my dearest friends... who met me at my (old) school at 9 to destroy and pack my belongings, etc....

We were there until 4:30! We got much done! Stopped at the grocery to get stuff for dinner and saw one of ds's friends....and that reminded me that the BoyScout meeting starts at 6:30. Ds and I had exactly 10 minutes to wolf down the frozen lasagna, salad from a bag and deli garlic bread before we needed to leave. I arrived home after 8:30 tonight after a busy busy day! Sat down and remembered that I needed to call the "magic jury duty number" ..... OY! I was very happy to discover that Citizen of the Year doesn't have jury duty tomorrow! SOOOO, it will be back to tearing up the classroom at the old school!

Kids are in other room messing with their dvd player and tv..... I'd better go before they "fix" it......

I'm heading to bed once I take care of this issue!
Hope everyone has had a great day..... I'll catch up with the posts tomorrow! Promise!

Take care!