Budget

Today I got my first master's degree paycheck. Here is where I admit what a dork I am: I couldn't wait to get home and redo our budget. It gives me a sense of control and security. I know there is a fine line between being a good steward and trusting in money instead of God. I'm not sure which side of that line I stand on.

Chore Choosing

Should I clean all the box fans and put them away for the season or should I scrub the green junk that's growing on the back porch because of all the rain?  Oh the fun that awaits me when I get home.

Fat Pants

These pants used to fit.  They do not fit very well today.  I fear I have a muffin top.  These pants make me feel fat. 

Nest

We put extra blankets on the bed last night.  It became a nest of blankets.  It was so cozy and warm.  I wish I were still in my nest.

Skipping Out

It was all boys at trivia so I left. It's for the better since I still have this skullcrusher. I'm going to read and go to bed!

I Take It Back

My head hurts behind my eyes.  I didn't mean what I said earlier.  I don't want to be sick.

Proud

I am proud of my husband.  He made 2 more perfect scores on his Hebrew quizzes. 

Sore Throat

My throat hurts.  Is it bad that I kind-of want to get sick enough to stay home so I can lay in bed all day?

Happy Birthday, Megs!

We're having a little birthday fiesta for my friend and neighbor this evening. Veggie quesadillas!

Extra Thankful

I am extra thankful today for 2 people that almost became my friends by accident.  One was assigned as my college roommate and the other married my husband's brother.  I know that God planned these friendships and I have been so blessed by these 2 amazing women.  Sorry for being overly sentimental, I just can't help myself.  Oh, and if you're not these 2 ladies, it doesn't mean I'm not thankful for you.  You might get your own post soon too.

Sunny!!!

This weather is gorgeous!!!

Sabbath

I love Sundays! Today I'll be going to church, baking cookies, reading, watching/playing Ultimate Frisbee, and maybe watching a movie.

No Zoo

We were going to go to the zooo this afternoon, but between the thread of rain and the fact that the zoo closes at 3:00 today (WHY?!), we're at home relaxing, doing chores, and watching TV.

Cross Country

Todd's home cross country race is this morning and Mom and Dad are coming down to see it. Should be fun!

Third Thought

The 3rd thought I had this morning is, "If I get ready really fast, I can read for a few minutes." This book I started yesterday, The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams, SO ADDICTIVE!

Second Thought

My second thought this morning was, "Last day of ITBS!"  I am so thankful that is over. 

Dinosaur Day

The first thought I had this morning was, "It's Dinosaur Day!"  Walking with the Dinosaur, Arena Spectacular!!!

Bad Blogger

I have not blogged all day. I've been busy. ITBS, then catching up on work I didn't get to do yesterday, then to the grocery store. Now I'm paying bills and I need to get sewing, but what I really want to do is read this new books I got. Yes, it's a teen book from my own library, but so far, it's really good!

Bread

Warning- I'm going to brag.

I baked some amazing bread today. Thanks, Lindsay P. for the awesome recipe!

Equation

4 hours of ITBS - Lunch + dentist appointment = one stupid day

On the bright side, it didn't rain!

MORE ITBS?!?

I've been recruited to do make-up tests.  I just spent 2 hours proctoring and now I have to do 2 more.  I hate today.

RAISE!

I got proof of my raise today!

Simon Says

During breaks in ITBS testing, we play Simon Says.  I am a master at being Simon.  If Simon Says was an Olympic sport, I'd be brining home the gold.

Dread

I am dreading school. I don't want to talk about why I left school sobbing yesterday. Prayers for peace, wisdom, and strength would be greatly appreciated.

3rd Grade Stories

In the midst of my crying the doorbell rings. It's our Little Neighbor (who I'm sure I've mentioned before). We sit at the kitchen table and he tells me about his day. He makes up a story about breaking his knuckle in the hall and totally brightens my day.

Lots of Crying

It's what I've been doing since my meeting with the principal. I don't have anything nice to say, so I won't say anything at all.

ITBS

Spent the morning as an ITBS proctor.  Standing around being bored makes me hungry.

Mission Year

We went to visit our new neighbors, the Mission Year couples, this afternoon. It's so nice to have some other young believers in the neighborhood!

Baking Day

If I'm going to turn the oven on, I'm going to make it count. I've baked a crumble cake to take to our new neighbors, apple crisp (for breakfast of course!), and chicken for dinner. Yum!

Checks

I go to our lock box to get a new book of checks- only to find out that these checks have my mother-in-law's name on them, not mine. These checks are old. I just ordered some more, but I have 3 things I need to write checks in the next few days and only 1 check. Not good. Being an adult is hard.

Sour Gummy Worms

I really love Kroger's sour gummy worms. I might eat the whole bag.

Rain, Rain

I'm ready for a sunny day. I have things I'd like to do outside.

Venison Burgers

Nate and Chuck made venison burgers for dinner. Now we're watching The Office.

Phone Calls

I made a lot of parent phone calls trying to get kids to read and pay their library fines.

Maria

I just got fussed at in a meeting for not signing my name professionally enough.  After I left, they sang "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria."  Not sure if this makes me mad or happy.

Too Late

I wanted to stay up until Nate got home last night, which was WAY past my bedtime.  Now I'm very tired.  Hoping for a nap this afternoon.

Milwaukee!

Just got back from a great meeting at DASH to prepare for the Neighborhood Leadership conference. It was wonderful to have some time to talk with some of our neighbors.

Flu Shot

Just went to get my flu shot. You should get one, too.

Walking with the Dinosaurs!

I won tickets to Walking with the Dinosaurs from GPB!

Spelling Bee!

Nothing will make your morning crazier (and more fun!) than hosting the spelling bee. 

10% :(

Just found out my library budget has been cut by 10%.  They put it in the newspaper 2 weeks before they were planning on telling me.

Goody Bags

I fixed my sewing machine (at least for now) and finished my sewing project. 20 drawstring goody bags, done!

Mean Librarian, Nice Librarian

I'm trying every trick in my book (begging, threatening to call parents, searching for that perfect book that will hook them) anything to get those middle school boys to READ!

Sewing Machine

Just as I am embarking on a sewing project, my sewing machine keeps getting clogged up. It seems like there's something wrong with the way the bobbin is moving but I can't tell. Too bad the tinker shop down the street closed. Who's going to fix my sewing machine?

No Chores for Me

I was going to scrub the back porch. I was going to trim the bushes in the yard. But it's raining, so I'll just watch a movie instead.

Hole In My Head

Headaches like these make me want to drill a hole in my head- just a little one, just to relieve pressure.

Disappointing

I know I've disappointed you because I have nothing to say.  Today has been a totally ordinary day.

Cool

After relating the story of why I no longer have a 3rd ear piercing (anyone remember tomato ear?) to a coworker, I had this amazing revelation: my body rejects cool. You heard me right. Tattoos, piercings, I am apparently allergic to all things cool.

Symphony

Just got back from seeing some wonderful students from my school perform in the youth symphony. So cool to live in such an arts-rich city.

School Visitor

Todd came to visit me at school today.  What a nice surprise!

Kate!

I got to pick the music for the morning news.  So I picked "Kate" by Ben Folds Five.  What a great way to start my morning!

Blinky Light

I just bought blinky lights for my bike so I won't get hit by cars. I wish it wasn't dark out when I got to school.

Air Bed and Breakfast

I want to travel and I want to stay with people I find on this site. How much longer until summer vacation?

Cherry Coke

Nate and I took walk to the gas station with the express purpose of purchasing a Coke. Alas- no caffeine free, so I bought a Cherry Coke and drank the whole thing. I haven't had a that much caffeine in 7 years. It was wonderful. Guess I'll know tomorrow if it was worth it. Fingers crossed for no headache.

Itchy

My tattoo itches. A lot.

Productive and Relaxing

Did some laundry, watched the new episode of Glee, read Harry Potter, drank IBC root beer and ate SunChips, and cleaned the bathtub- all in my PJs. Yay for Saturdays!

PJs

Even though I'm up at 8AM, I plan on staying in my pajamas until noon.

Quiche

I made my first quiche today- totally from scratch, even the crust. It was beautiful and delicious.

September is...

Library Card Sign-Up Month!  I just made a bulletin board about it.  If you live in the state of Geogria, you should check out these websites!

Georgia Pines - online catalog that allows you access to library books from all over the state!

Georgia Download Destination- download audiobooks for free!

Forgetful

I left the house at 7 AM.  Nate noticed that I had left the front door open at 9:30 AM.  I can't believe how forgetful I have become.

Neighbors

A nice chat with Noelle and Chuck reminded me just what an amazing blessing it is to have good friends live so close.

Professional

A little icon on the bottom right of my work computer entitled "Remote Management" has made me a little nervous about emailing posts from work. Don't think I'll be doing it anymore.

New Books!

2 big boxes of brand new books are here!  I will be adding labels all day, but it'll be worth it to put these great new books in some kids' hands!

Chupper

Church + Supper. That's what we used to call it. I'm looking forward to our first chupper after summer break.

Quote of the Day

"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them."

- Mark Twain

Evaluation

The principal just let me know she'll be evaluating me this week.  I've never been nervous about an evaluation before, but I am about this one. 

Orientation/Registration

Today and tomorrow are Nate's orientation/registration days. I took a sick day and drove him up. They let him register and skip pretty much everything else. His fever came down and now he's sleeping. Hopefully he'll feel up to going by himself tomorrow.

Nate is SICK

Nate's sick. He could have been sick any time in the last 3 months with no consequences. But not today. Today is his registration day for seminary. And he has the flu. Not sure what we're going to do.

Labor Day To Do List

I can think of nothing else to say, so here is my to do list:
Bake bread without exploding a glass pan
Repot a plant
Go to the grocery store
Mop the kitchen floor
Make a peanut butter pie
Put away clean laundry
Read Catching Fire (the sequel to Hunger Games)

Bisa!

Going to meet up with Bisa for dinner in Atlanta!

Roasting Marshmallows

We're having a bonfire and roasting marshmallows!

Manual Labor Day Weekend

I'm helping (or trying to help) Mom and Dad get ready to lay hardwood floor in the kitchen.

Mom and Dad!

Sugar Hill, here I come! Going to spend the weekend with my parents while Nate goes to Dragon Con with my brother.

Brochure

I'm creating a brochure for my school.  I really want it to convey what this school is all about.  It's a big, important job and I'm glad for the opportunity to do it!

Explosion

At 4:30 yesterday, there was an explosion in my kitchen.  I exploded a 9x13 glass pan while attempting to bake bread.  There was glass all over the kitchen floor and there's still glass in the oven.  Thankfully, I was not hurt, only supremely embarrassed (because I should have known better) and frustrated (because I now have to clean up a huge mess).  So, for future reference, do not pour water (no matter how hot) into a 450 degree glass baking pan.  It will explode.

Landscaping Committee

I volunteered Nate for the landscaping committee at church.  A few days ago, he weeded in the rain and today he dug 30 holes.  I feel like a really bad wife.

New Neighbors

Tonight we get to meet our new neighbors!  3 couples (all around our age) just moved into our neighborhood.  They will be living together, working for various nonprofits in LaGrange, and volunteering in the community for the next year as part of Mission Year.  I know I don't just speak for myself when I say that I am really looking forward to dinner this evening.  Yay for the possibility of new friends!

Too Many Subs

Too many substitute teachers makes the middle school a scary place.

Stuffy

My nose is stuffy. I'm going to bed early and hoping I'll be all better in the morning.

Puppies Behind Bars

I heard this story twice now and it fills me with hope. 

Billy the Bunny

I was in the office sending a fax.  2 upset 7th graders stormed in and relate the injustice that has just been done to Billy the Bunny, the science class pet.  The substitute teacher had put the bunny (in its cage) outside in the bushes for reasons yet unknown.  To calm the students and yet not upset the sub (who is the parent who runs the book fair for me), I take Billy to the library where he is now kicking his mulch all over my floor. 

Labor Day

I am so thankful I have next Monday off.  I need a break.

DFCS

Last night, Nate and I went to a DFCS training on mental health.  This afternoon, we're have a home re-evaluation.  I can hardly believe it's been a year.  Hopefully we'll see more kids in the year to come. 

Signature

It's taken me 2 weeks, but I have all 6 of my purchase orders ready to go. Now all I need is the courage to ask the principal to sign them.

Mockingbirds

Yesterday we had a fire drill.  The alarm had stopped and we were about to file back inside when we heard the sound of the alarm again... beep, beep, beep, pause, beep, beep, beep... it was a mockingbird across the street!  Same pitch, same length, everything.  Amazing.

Maraton Dreams

The last few nights, I've had these long, weird dreams.  They go on all night, have a huge cast of characters (if you're reading this, you're probably in them), and they make no sense at all. I wouldn't mind so much except they make me feel really confused and tired when I wake up.