Sunday, June 3, 2012
Long time a comin'
Rather appalled at how long it has been since I wrote on this blog. Truthfully, it had been a tough year for me at school and many things suffered. My health, my family relationships, and my enthusiasm for my job... But I have made some changes for the better and I think life is on the upswing. So here is what you missed and some of what is to come.
Bob is enjoying his new job with Teledyne. They pay him decently and actually pay his expenses on time. Usually he is home every weekend and most jobs are near enough he can drive to them. He likes not having to miss out on all of the family time during the weekend. I am not certain he is going to survive his little Veronica having a boyfriend and not being so little anymore. I will get concerned when he starts digging the trenches for potential boyfriends that he only is half way joking about. So far ground is undisturbed.
Goldie made a major change in my life and retired at the end of this school year. At 48, with only 26 years in, I am too young and I really planned to wait another year, but things were not going well on others' end at school and it was causing me to be the kind of teacher I did not want to be. I just won't be the teacher who doesn't feel good about coming to school. Still love my students though. And I think I am going to get a part-time job at the library that will put me at about the same place financially and give me time to write. At the library I would handle programs like story time and such and I am excited. I also am working on being healthier.
Bob and I are in the process of getting our house ready to sell. We plan to have a house built by one of my former students in Warrensburg. The lot is picked out, the plan is ready, and now we just need someone to purchase this house.
Rachel is working for Dan in textbooks again and is super busy. She also has completely organized our attic and held a super garage sale. She has insanely planted about twenty-five tomato plants this summer. She doesn't even like tomatoes!
Drew is finishing out his time in the Army. His unit deployed to Afghanistan, but his health prevented him from going too. I am grateful for him not going, but I sure would like for him to be well. He is now trying to juggle a long distance relationship with his girlfriend, Meagan, who is here. He seems very happy with her.
Michael surprised us and is now at boot camp in Georgia in the Army. We are hopeful all goes well and that this is a good move for him.
Ryan is still in CT and has been working as a janitor in casinos. He is waiting on a background check and then is going to apply at the really large casino Foxwoods.
Veronica just finished fifth grade and turned eleven. She has grown and changed so much. Gone is our little round faced girl and in her place is a much more savvy young lady. She even has had a boyfriend! And she is a reader! That excites Grandma much more than the boyfriend thing.
Cash is Five now! He graduated from Pre-school and is ready for Kindergarten. He is just so funny and full of life. When he gets started on one his talking rants, it is hilarious.
Rachel had a HUGE joint birthday party for the kids and they had a great time!
My mom is doing okay. I think she is a little bored. At least now I have more time to do things with her. Bev is busy, but loves her new house and location in Raintree in Lee's Summit area. Bill has been dieting and feels much better. He and Debbie and Mom have been visiting older relatives and going to cemetaries together.
All in all we are good and moving forward!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Long time no write.
Wow, I am embarrassed by how long it has been. It is writing that is taking me away from this blog and I have made some strides in this area.
I finished my Mirror Images book and am working on another, Monsters Within. After I get done with this one, I plan to edit both and go from there.
Bob has been working steadily with his job at Teledyne. He seems more secure about it and they do keep him busy. Bob did get a job close enough to Drew to go visit one weekend.
I have been doing my 26th year of teaching and it has been a hard one. So much work added on and so many changes without clear instruction made me really question if I want to do this or not. And if I want to do this at Holden. I really almost went home the third day of school at 8:15 and later I did go home one day because of the stress. However, I did some pro-active things and it is better. I still dread going to work, but not at much. The irony is that I really do enjoy the students and that is the part people say to me, "I don't know how you can work with those kids." Gladly.
Our kids are kind of all over the place.
Rachel went to Vegas to "celebrate" a birthday that ends in zero. She is working at Strate's Drive-In. And mothering her children.
Drew is still stationed in Colorado, but his health issues from the malaria he had last October still trouble him. I guess the good news is he will probably not deploy because of them. And the bad news is that he has them. He did get to go Elk hunting with his Dad and Uncle Bobby in Colorado this fall and he enjoyed it even without getting an elk. He also go to come home for a brief Thanksgiving visit.
Michael called and said he has decided to join the Army and goes to basic in March. Bob is struggling some with that. That, I understand well.
Ryan is looking for some seasonal work.
They are both in CT.
The grandchildren are joy that keeps growing. Veronica is in fifth grade and full of attitude. She seems much happier at school this year. She is actually getting figure and I am not thrilled. She is only in fifth grade! We just had a tea for her friends and they had a great time playing with their American Girl dolls and being Cat Warriors...it's a book series.
Cash is blaring through his second year of pre-school and is showing he is quite bright. He also is showing some spirit. Maybe a little too much sometimes for the teachers. He is a sweet boy who doesn't want to upset people though.
Mom is still down the street and I see her a lot. She keeps feeding us and helps Veronica with her homework. She and Veronica are in an afterschool bookclub together. And she has been busy helping my brother Bill and sister-in-law Debbie because of some of their health issues. Bev, my sister, has been keeping her busy too with some things for the new house she bought in Raintree. It will be much closer for Bev to get to Harrisonville since she spends a lot of time there.
We have had some good times. We went to the Renaissance Festival and the Holden Fair.
And we have been busy too. Hope we have and everyone else has a good holiday season.
I finished my Mirror Images book and am working on another, Monsters Within. After I get done with this one, I plan to edit both and go from there.
Bob has been working steadily with his job at Teledyne. He seems more secure about it and they do keep him busy. Bob did get a job close enough to Drew to go visit one weekend.
I have been doing my 26th year of teaching and it has been a hard one. So much work added on and so many changes without clear instruction made me really question if I want to do this or not. And if I want to do this at Holden. I really almost went home the third day of school at 8:15 and later I did go home one day because of the stress. However, I did some pro-active things and it is better. I still dread going to work, but not at much. The irony is that I really do enjoy the students and that is the part people say to me, "I don't know how you can work with those kids." Gladly.
Our kids are kind of all over the place.
Rachel went to Vegas to "celebrate" a birthday that ends in zero. She is working at Strate's Drive-In. And mothering her children.
Drew is still stationed in Colorado, but his health issues from the malaria he had last October still trouble him. I guess the good news is he will probably not deploy because of them. And the bad news is that he has them. He did get to go Elk hunting with his Dad and Uncle Bobby in Colorado this fall and he enjoyed it even without getting an elk. He also go to come home for a brief Thanksgiving visit.
Michael called and said he has decided to join the Army and goes to basic in March. Bob is struggling some with that. That, I understand well.
Ryan is looking for some seasonal work.
They are both in CT.
The grandchildren are joy that keeps growing. Veronica is in fifth grade and full of attitude. She seems much happier at school this year. She is actually getting figure and I am not thrilled. She is only in fifth grade! We just had a tea for her friends and they had a great time playing with their American Girl dolls and being Cat Warriors...it's a book series.
Cash is blaring through his second year of pre-school and is showing he is quite bright. He also is showing some spirit. Maybe a little too much sometimes for the teachers. He is a sweet boy who doesn't want to upset people though.
Mom is still down the street and I see her a lot. She keeps feeding us and helps Veronica with her homework. She and Veronica are in an afterschool bookclub together. And she has been busy helping my brother Bill and sister-in-law Debbie because of some of their health issues. Bev, my sister, has been keeping her busy too with some things for the new house she bought in Raintree. It will be much closer for Bev to get to Harrisonville since she spends a lot of time there.
We have had some good times. We went to the Renaissance Festival and the Holden Fair.
And we have been busy too. Hope we have and everyone else has a good holiday season.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
July Ends 2011
Another month is nearly passed. And it is HOT in ole' Missouri. 106 has been the actual temperature some days. Heat index? BURN!
We made to and from our vacation to CO and had a good time. Everyone kind of did their own activities so we gambled, hiked, hunted fossils, toured museums (whore house was the most interesting), rode trains, shopped, took old time pictures, ate-a lot, fed the donkeys, had tea, played in the park, soaked in the hot tub, saw deer and a fox, played board games, played the piano, and enjoyed staying together in the Dusty Rose Cottage. Renting a house is the way to go, if you have a lot of people.
Seeing Drew was the best part, but I wish he felt better physically.
Bob has been home mostly this summer. Rach has been working. Veronica and Cash staying with their babysitter. Mom hiding in the air conditioning.
Me, writing. And I am currently slamming to get a FULL manuscript ready for perusal by an agent. I don't think anything will come from it, but it is forcing me to get my butt in gear. Sometimes I really like the writing. And sometimes I do not.
School starts in a couple of weeks and I am have not accomplished everything I want.
Now, I am off to bed, so I can spend tomorrow with Cash and Veronica.
We made to and from our vacation to CO and had a good time. Everyone kind of did their own activities so we gambled, hiked, hunted fossils, toured museums (whore house was the most interesting), rode trains, shopped, took old time pictures, ate-a lot, fed the donkeys, had tea, played in the park, soaked in the hot tub, saw deer and a fox, played board games, played the piano, and enjoyed staying together in the Dusty Rose Cottage. Renting a house is the way to go, if you have a lot of people.
Seeing Drew was the best part, but I wish he felt better physically.
Bob has been home mostly this summer. Rach has been working. Veronica and Cash staying with their babysitter. Mom hiding in the air conditioning.
Me, writing. And I am currently slamming to get a FULL manuscript ready for perusal by an agent. I don't think anything will come from it, but it is forcing me to get my butt in gear. Sometimes I really like the writing. And sometimes I do not.
School starts in a couple of weeks and I am have not accomplished everything I want.
Now, I am off to bed, so I can spend tomorrow with Cash and Veronica.
Friday, July 8, 2011
July
Mid month.
Summer rolls on. I have enjoying my time off and my body feels better because of less standing. During the school year, I am always so sore that it surprises me when I don't feel pain. Darn Arthritis!
Bob has been working or observing during his new training period for some time. He has had a little time off recently and he has been enjoying it.
We are going on a family vacation to see Drew. Bob, Goldie, Mom, Rachel, Veronica, Cash, and my sister-in-law Debbie. Hope Drew is ready an invasion!
I have been hitting the writing hard and writing career goals. And I have accomplished some, but not all I hoped.
The kids and I have done some "Fabulous Fridays" and they have been fun.
Rachel and I went to see Motley Crue and Poison. We are rockers at heart!
We had a nice 4th of July with dinner at Mom's.
Bob has been preparing a paleontologist fossil kit for Veronica. She will be so excited. And he is too. They are ready to go fossil hunting now!
We are enjoying the new kitten, Hercules. He moves much more than Xena.
Mike and Ryan called this morning. EARLY. They are doing okay. But I think I am ready to go back to sleep. Good night/morning.
Summer rolls on. I have enjoying my time off and my body feels better because of less standing. During the school year, I am always so sore that it surprises me when I don't feel pain. Darn Arthritis!
Bob has been working or observing during his new training period for some time. He has had a little time off recently and he has been enjoying it.
We are going on a family vacation to see Drew. Bob, Goldie, Mom, Rachel, Veronica, Cash, and my sister-in-law Debbie. Hope Drew is ready an invasion!
I have been hitting the writing hard and writing career goals. And I have accomplished some, but not all I hoped.
The kids and I have done some "Fabulous Fridays" and they have been fun.
Rachel and I went to see Motley Crue and Poison. We are rockers at heart!
We had a nice 4th of July with dinner at Mom's.
Bob has been preparing a paleontologist fossil kit for Veronica. She will be so excited. And he is too. They are ready to go fossil hunting now!
We are enjoying the new kitten, Hercules. He moves much more than Xena.
Mike and Ryan called this morning. EARLY. They are doing okay. But I think I am ready to go back to sleep. Good night/morning.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
June 18, 2011
Happy almost Father's Day to Bob and other fathers!
Wow, school vacation is in full swing for me. I am feeling rested and not so sore. I have been writing some, but need to write more.
Bob is working very steadily at his new job at Teledyne Industries. So far, mostly training, but is getting closer to working completely on his own. Has been driving around a lot. Had to dodge some Missouri River flooding yesterday.
Rach is working at Strate's Drive-In and looking for other jobs. She is looking forward to the upcoming Colorado vacation.
Drew is working at job in Army in CO. He has been taking mountain motorcycle rides and seems to enjoy them. I think he is looking forward to all of us coming to visit.
Mom is bored, but trying to keep busy. She went to Boonville gambling recently.
Veronica and Cash are enjoying their summer. They like their daytime babysitter. They have been swimming and we had a great Fabulous Friday with the Grandmas at Powell Gardens.
We have a new kitten, Hercules. He likes to sleep on my feet when I am writing.
Other than that, things are pretty normal around here. I am off to clean the refrigerator. Good times. Necessary times!
Wow, school vacation is in full swing for me. I am feeling rested and not so sore. I have been writing some, but need to write more.
Bob is working very steadily at his new job at Teledyne Industries. So far, mostly training, but is getting closer to working completely on his own. Has been driving around a lot. Had to dodge some Missouri River flooding yesterday.
Rach is working at Strate's Drive-In and looking for other jobs. She is looking forward to the upcoming Colorado vacation.
Drew is working at job in Army in CO. He has been taking mountain motorcycle rides and seems to enjoy them. I think he is looking forward to all of us coming to visit.
Mom is bored, but trying to keep busy. She went to Boonville gambling recently.
Veronica and Cash are enjoying their summer. They like their daytime babysitter. They have been swimming and we had a great Fabulous Friday with the Grandmas at Powell Gardens.
We have a new kitten, Hercules. He likes to sleep on my feet when I am writing.
Other than that, things are pretty normal around here. I am off to clean the refrigerator. Good times. Necessary times!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
CELEBRATIONS GALORE!
So much to celebrate!
Birthdays for Veronica, Bev, and Cash. Veronica's actual birthday at our favorite Mexican restaurant. Co-birthday party for both kids and friends at laser tag. Lots of tag, pizza, an awesome cake and fun. (Except somebody's grandma got a ticket for speeding on the way. Sorry Cash.) Rachel survived the multiple preteen girls spending the night. Cash's regular birthday was Batman themed. They got great gifts and now they are 10 and 4. And my sister Bev is older too.
Went to graduations for my "ex" niece Lisa and nephew Bryan. Also, Melissa graduated 8th grade. Went to Lisa's graduation party and had a nice time visiting with her family. Then Bob and I went to his nephew Cameron's graduation. So, I saw a graduation with about 12 kids, 100 kids and 700 kids. All were nice.
Everything is moving along here. Bob has been working and is coming home on weekends. It is nice for him to get home on a more regular basis. He did find a really wonderful doll for Veronica. She was just speechless with joy when she saw it.
I am finishing school. Kids are done this week on Tuesday and I am done on Friday. I am finishing my 25th year. Wow, a quarter of a century. It is my longest commitment ever. And I really love it still.
This week we are doing an end of the year dance for our students...okay I am not exactly dancing...but I got to help choreograph. I miss that part from my drama teaching days.
Hope everyone's week is grand!
Birthdays for Veronica, Bev, and Cash. Veronica's actual birthday at our favorite Mexican restaurant. Co-birthday party for both kids and friends at laser tag. Lots of tag, pizza, an awesome cake and fun. (Except somebody's grandma got a ticket for speeding on the way. Sorry Cash.) Rachel survived the multiple preteen girls spending the night. Cash's regular birthday was Batman themed. They got great gifts and now they are 10 and 4. And my sister Bev is older too.
Went to graduations for my "ex" niece Lisa and nephew Bryan. Also, Melissa graduated 8th grade. Went to Lisa's graduation party and had a nice time visiting with her family. Then Bob and I went to his nephew Cameron's graduation. So, I saw a graduation with about 12 kids, 100 kids and 700 kids. All were nice.
Everything is moving along here. Bob has been working and is coming home on weekends. It is nice for him to get home on a more regular basis. He did find a really wonderful doll for Veronica. She was just speechless with joy when she saw it.
I am finishing school. Kids are done this week on Tuesday and I am done on Friday. I am finishing my 25th year. Wow, a quarter of a century. It is my longest commitment ever. And I really love it still.
This week we are doing an end of the year dance for our students...okay I am not exactly dancing...but I got to help choreograph. I miss that part from my drama teaching days.
Hope everyone's week is grand!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Another Week Down
May 15...Birthdays and Graduations Galore.
First, celebrated Veronica's 10th birthday this week on Monday. She had a great time at our favorite Mexican restaurant. But I think she has a crush on her favorite waiter. She left cake for the staff and said, "Please make sure Delphino gets a piece."
Second, then joint birthday party at laser tag for Cash and Veronica. Lots of kids for tag, pizza, and a really cool cake. Then Cash came home with me and he and Poppie played with the toys. Rach took numerous girls home for a sleep over with makeup, movies, perfume making. We all survived, but Cash was a little concerned about getting to the party since somebody got a speeding ticket on the way. And it wasn't Bob the slowpoke driver. We will celebrate again on Wednesday with Cash's real birthday where he turns 4. And my sister Bev experienced a birthday too.
Graduations abound this week. My "ex" niece and nephew Lisa and Bryan graduate this week and so does Bob's nephew Cameron.
Bob went to training all week and is off again to Iowa. He gets to come home most weekends with this job and I know he is glad to get this break.
I am really busy. I have said that before, but this is end of the year busy and it is a whole different ballgame. And arthritis sucks! But I got to read my favorite Of Mice and Men to this year's students and see the joy on their faces when they get it. We have 8th Grad Celebration Monday night and it is a lot of work, but lots of fun too. I will miss this year's class!
I went to my HeRA writers group meeting and it went well. Good speaker and lots of new people to meet.
I will be so glad to end my 25th year of teaching. I love the job and the students but I am tired. I am looking forward to not doing much of anything this summer. I plan to sleep, exercise, diet, do some stuff with family, and WRITE. I am ready to move forward with some goals. I also intend to continue Fabulous Fridays with Grandma. Looking forward to spoiling the grandbabies some. And I will probably get a visit in with Drew.
Now to continue my chores for the day! They are numerous!
First, celebrated Veronica's 10th birthday this week on Monday. She had a great time at our favorite Mexican restaurant. But I think she has a crush on her favorite waiter. She left cake for the staff and said, "Please make sure Delphino gets a piece."
Second, then joint birthday party at laser tag for Cash and Veronica. Lots of kids for tag, pizza, and a really cool cake. Then Cash came home with me and he and Poppie played with the toys. Rach took numerous girls home for a sleep over with makeup, movies, perfume making. We all survived, but Cash was a little concerned about getting to the party since somebody got a speeding ticket on the way. And it wasn't Bob the slowpoke driver. We will celebrate again on Wednesday with Cash's real birthday where he turns 4. And my sister Bev experienced a birthday too.
Graduations abound this week. My "ex" niece and nephew Lisa and Bryan graduate this week and so does Bob's nephew Cameron.
Bob went to training all week and is off again to Iowa. He gets to come home most weekends with this job and I know he is glad to get this break.
I am really busy. I have said that before, but this is end of the year busy and it is a whole different ballgame. And arthritis sucks! But I got to read my favorite Of Mice and Men to this year's students and see the joy on their faces when they get it. We have 8th Grad Celebration Monday night and it is a lot of work, but lots of fun too. I will miss this year's class!
I went to my HeRA writers group meeting and it went well. Good speaker and lots of new people to meet.
I will be so glad to end my 25th year of teaching. I love the job and the students but I am tired. I am looking forward to not doing much of anything this summer. I plan to sleep, exercise, diet, do some stuff with family, and WRITE. I am ready to move forward with some goals. I also intend to continue Fabulous Fridays with Grandma. Looking forward to spoiling the grandbabies some. And I will probably get a visit in with Drew.
Now to continue my chores for the day! They are numerous!
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