Friday morning, my sister and I packed her car and headed south. I will blog about that in a minute. But right now, I want to write about the first two hours.
Friday morning, I was at work at 6:00 am to wrap up the end of the term. I was then home by 10:20, and ready to go. I remembered I had not yet packed my camera card, and ran in to grab it. After a few minutes of searching for our laptop, I ask Dustin to come help me. We search high and low, and I decide to just go without and I'd buy one when I got to California.
Dustin kissed Carter and I on our way, and we headed south. About, 45 minutes on to the road, I decided to call home and see where Dustin had found our computer. I called and asked him, and he state, "I don't want to ruin your vacation."
Well, Lord knows, that won't sit with me well, so I ask him what is going on. His reply, "We've been robbed."
Me: "Whatever! Why do you say that?"
Dustin: "Because not only is our laptop gone, so is our safe."
Me: "You have got to be kidding me! Seriously?"
Dustin: "Sorry baby."
Me: "Well, shit. Have you called the police?"
Dustin: "Yes, they have already been here and I have a case number."
So, we continue to talk and try to figure out what the hell could be in that safe, what else could be missing, and what the hell we are going to do. I offer to come home, but Dustin said not to, he would take care of it.
I am so angry to know someone came into our house and stole from us. Dustin and I work so hard to have what little we have. We are not people who will buy extravagant things, and when we do, we are very excited and feel like we have saved and worked hard for that.
I then spent the next TWO HOURS of my trip talking to experian, putting a watch on my credit, cancelling my passport, trying to figure out how to protect myself and our family, etc. There was a family heirloom in our safe, rings, passports, etc. Seriously, it sucked!
I got to California and two days later, my cell phone wouldn't let me log in to my facebook account. I went across the street, logged into a computer, and had to reset my facebook account. It shows someone was trying to access us our account in CANADA!
I called Dustin, logged into his, and guess what. Someone tried to login to his account in CANADA too!!!!
Anyway, BLAH! I feel totally violated and am so angry that we are going through this right now. But....what do you do?!?! Thank God for renters insurance!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Perfect Day, For a Very Neat Man
As you all know, yesterday was St. Patricks Day. This day kind of is a fun day for my family because my sister was married on that day, ten years ago! However, yesterday turned out to be an even cooler day in my eyes. Which I didn't even know about, until reading the same sisters blog, today.
Here's why. My step-mom's dad was a great man! He was always very sweet to me and someone who always was quick to crack a joke or make a funny comment. He was hilarious. I was never very close to him, but he was someone I really enjoyed being around.
Over the last couple of years, he has become ill. He has Alzheimer's and his health has deteriorated steadily. I have not seen him in several years, yet have heard through family how he was.
Well, last night Don Haggerty passed away. I have to explain why I think this is so neat. Don was 100% Irish. He was a Catholic who went to church regularly, and always ended a conversation with "God Bless." He truly was an incredible man, who was many people's hero. I have seen my brothers push themselves physically to be able to compete with their grandfather. I have seen my sisters look up to him, and love spending an evening at his dinner table. I have seen my step-mom look up to him, and truly know he was her hero. He was a great man.
A few days ago, I was on the phone with my step-mom and asked how Don was doing, She told met that he was fading, and was expected to fall into a coma shortly. She told me she was able to talk to her dad and tell him she loved him and that it was okay for him to go. She told me that his response was, "He loved her and God Bless."
When she told me that, I got chills head to toe, and could literally hear him saying that to his baby girl. Yesterday morning, while I was at work, a random thought popped in my head, I thought, "Today would be the perfect day for Don to go." And never thought about it again.
This afternoon I have found out that last night his family was over for corn beef and cabbage, and the ultimate Irish dinner. Don had fallen into a coma two days before, but I believe that having his family there and it being the Day for the Irish, he felt at peace to finally let go.
Don was 87 years old. He was the longest living person who suffered from a health condition. He has accomplished a lifetime of accomplishments. He has raised an amazing family, and has blessed more than I can even imagine.
So, to Don Haggerty, you had one hell of a ride, and someone who I have always found quite a character and loved being around. I am grateful to know you are finally at peace and no longer in pain. "God Bless!"
Here's why. My step-mom's dad was a great man! He was always very sweet to me and someone who always was quick to crack a joke or make a funny comment. He was hilarious. I was never very close to him, but he was someone I really enjoyed being around.
Over the last couple of years, he has become ill. He has Alzheimer's and his health has deteriorated steadily. I have not seen him in several years, yet have heard through family how he was.
Well, last night Don Haggerty passed away. I have to explain why I think this is so neat. Don was 100% Irish. He was a Catholic who went to church regularly, and always ended a conversation with "God Bless." He truly was an incredible man, who was many people's hero. I have seen my brothers push themselves physically to be able to compete with their grandfather. I have seen my sisters look up to him, and love spending an evening at his dinner table. I have seen my step-mom look up to him, and truly know he was her hero. He was a great man.
A few days ago, I was on the phone with my step-mom and asked how Don was doing, She told met that he was fading, and was expected to fall into a coma shortly. She told me she was able to talk to her dad and tell him she loved him and that it was okay for him to go. She told me that his response was, "He loved her and God Bless."
When she told me that, I got chills head to toe, and could literally hear him saying that to his baby girl. Yesterday morning, while I was at work, a random thought popped in my head, I thought, "Today would be the perfect day for Don to go." And never thought about it again.
This afternoon I have found out that last night his family was over for corn beef and cabbage, and the ultimate Irish dinner. Don had fallen into a coma two days before, but I believe that having his family there and it being the Day for the Irish, he felt at peace to finally let go.
Don was 87 years old. He was the longest living person who suffered from a health condition. He has accomplished a lifetime of accomplishments. He has raised an amazing family, and has blessed more than I can even imagine.
So, to Don Haggerty, you had one hell of a ride, and someone who I have always found quite a character and loved being around. I am grateful to know you are finally at peace and no longer in pain. "God Bless!"
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
My "Cushy" Job
I have seen children learn to tie their shoe as a junior in high school, and have it literally bring tears to my eyes. I have seen a child, who only had 3 people in the whole world believe in them, turn around and become an AMAZING kid. I have had students arrested, suspended, etc. when I suspect they have been using drugs, become violent, bring a weapon, make a drug deal or sexually assault another student. I have had the extreme of both sides. I have had computers thrown at me, students bite me, to having a student come up and give me the biggest hug in the world, and say, "Thanks for never giving up on me." I have seen kids come from situations in life, I can't even imagine, and come to school because they feel safe and can get a meal. I have had notes from parents telling me without me or another teacher, they never would have thought their child would be here. I have seen the spectrum of many students and have learned not to judge a single one of them, some of my kids have come from such dark places, I can't even imagine their life. But when they need to talk, you bet your ass I am there to listen without consequence or judgment, no matter who that child is.
Having said that, I am SO tired of hearing I have a "Cushy" job, teachers have it easy, it must be pretty nice to have all the time off, etc., etc. All of my teacher friends know EXACTLY what I am talking about. But for those of you who don't let me tell you what a teacher does, all within his/her "school" day.
First off, it is my job to make sure I walk into my building chipper and ready to face any of the 700+ kiddoes our school holds. When I walk through those doors, no matter what is going on in my own life, I don't get to have a bad day. I need to be able to offer a shoulder to cry on, a firm voice to get someone motivated, or interfere when there is a fight.
It is my job to answer the phone and listen to what a parent is telling me. I receive MANY phone calls a day, just to have a parent tell me something new in a students life, a problem, or an idea on how their child can improve. These phone calls can entail asking what a child's grades are, complain about a fork being taken by another student at lunch, or listening to a mother cry over her mother dying in the hospital.
I am supposed to check every students grades, several times a week. I then have to either have them go gather what they are missing or go gather it myself; to then be on top of them like flies on poop to make sure they get the damn assignment done. Seems so easy, right? NOT IN JUNIOR HIGH.
I schedule lunch appointments that children have earned, either lunch detention for getting in trouble or lunch with the Assistant Superintendent for a child having all B's or higher. It is my job to go down and monitor students during lunch if there have been problems to make sure they are not being picked on or trying to pick on someone else. I also have to make sure my kids have money in their account, so they can GET to eat lunch.
Sound easy yet?
In the world we live in today, a lot of my parents are divorced. So, I get to deal with two sides of every story, very often. I have to verify that both parents have access to their child. Once that is done, if they do, it is my job to make sure they are equally aware of how their child is doing, what meetings/events are coming up, and have been asked to try to get information on the other parent! Which, I have never done! If one parent is NOT allowed to see a child, it is my job to make sure everyone in the building is aware of the situation, have phone numbers on speed dial, and not be afraid to call 911 if one of them walks into my classroom.
It is my job to make sure my students feel safe. If they don't it is my job to reassure them that they are, even if I may not believe it. It is my job to see they work on social skills, and at least have one friend so nobody has to eat lunch alone, unless they want to.
I give up my lunch and my "prep" period to make sure my kids are taking the correct test, have a scribe, have a reader, starting a class on task, being appropriate, not showing disruption, etc. Then, if they DO, it is my job to remove them from that class and come up with an alternative to make sure they complete the work appropriately.
Get's easier, right? NOPE!
I then have the opportunity to teach six classes, five of them being different subjects. I have to plan for the day, prepare a lesson, gather the materials, etc. to make sure I am ready. I then have to come up with different ways to teach them, in case a student doesn't understand one way. I then correct and grade each paper, to then record as my data.
I have multiple meetings weekly to make sure the faculty is being supported. The department is on the same page. The district is receiving the information required. And the state is getting the paperwork completed to know the accurate number of students I am serving. I meet with parents, police officers, doctors, counselors, administration, and district officials more often then I EVER imagined I would.
Do not get me wrong, most days, I really like my job. I love every student of mine and I am okay with working. I enjoy the socializing of my job, and this year my administration is fabulous. I do have a great job. I just think people need to recognize that teaching is not a "cushy" job. If it were easy, everyone would be a teacher, right? We have the time off, because we need it. We need to rejuvenate so our students learn. We need to have a break to forget about some of the events we have had to deal with and/or see. We go on a vacation so we can bring us back to the reason why we started teaching in the first place. We need the break, so our future generations know there are people out there who believe in them. As a teacher, we are teaching the next generation of any occupation, and trust me, there is nothing "cushy" about that.
Having said that, I am SO tired of hearing I have a "Cushy" job, teachers have it easy, it must be pretty nice to have all the time off, etc., etc. All of my teacher friends know EXACTLY what I am talking about. But for those of you who don't let me tell you what a teacher does, all within his/her "school" day.
First off, it is my job to make sure I walk into my building chipper and ready to face any of the 700+ kiddoes our school holds. When I walk through those doors, no matter what is going on in my own life, I don't get to have a bad day. I need to be able to offer a shoulder to cry on, a firm voice to get someone motivated, or interfere when there is a fight.
It is my job to answer the phone and listen to what a parent is telling me. I receive MANY phone calls a day, just to have a parent tell me something new in a students life, a problem, or an idea on how their child can improve. These phone calls can entail asking what a child's grades are, complain about a fork being taken by another student at lunch, or listening to a mother cry over her mother dying in the hospital.
I am supposed to check every students grades, several times a week. I then have to either have them go gather what they are missing or go gather it myself; to then be on top of them like flies on poop to make sure they get the damn assignment done. Seems so easy, right? NOT IN JUNIOR HIGH.
I schedule lunch appointments that children have earned, either lunch detention for getting in trouble or lunch with the Assistant Superintendent for a child having all B's or higher. It is my job to go down and monitor students during lunch if there have been problems to make sure they are not being picked on or trying to pick on someone else. I also have to make sure my kids have money in their account, so they can GET to eat lunch.
Sound easy yet?
In the world we live in today, a lot of my parents are divorced. So, I get to deal with two sides of every story, very often. I have to verify that both parents have access to their child. Once that is done, if they do, it is my job to make sure they are equally aware of how their child is doing, what meetings/events are coming up, and have been asked to try to get information on the other parent! Which, I have never done! If one parent is NOT allowed to see a child, it is my job to make sure everyone in the building is aware of the situation, have phone numbers on speed dial, and not be afraid to call 911 if one of them walks into my classroom.
It is my job to make sure my students feel safe. If they don't it is my job to reassure them that they are, even if I may not believe it. It is my job to see they work on social skills, and at least have one friend so nobody has to eat lunch alone, unless they want to.
I give up my lunch and my "prep" period to make sure my kids are taking the correct test, have a scribe, have a reader, starting a class on task, being appropriate, not showing disruption, etc. Then, if they DO, it is my job to remove them from that class and come up with an alternative to make sure they complete the work appropriately.
Get's easier, right? NOPE!
I then have the opportunity to teach six classes, five of them being different subjects. I have to plan for the day, prepare a lesson, gather the materials, etc. to make sure I am ready. I then have to come up with different ways to teach them, in case a student doesn't understand one way. I then correct and grade each paper, to then record as my data.
I have multiple meetings weekly to make sure the faculty is being supported. The department is on the same page. The district is receiving the information required. And the state is getting the paperwork completed to know the accurate number of students I am serving. I meet with parents, police officers, doctors, counselors, administration, and district officials more often then I EVER imagined I would.
Do not get me wrong, most days, I really like my job. I love every student of mine and I am okay with working. I enjoy the socializing of my job, and this year my administration is fabulous. I do have a great job. I just think people need to recognize that teaching is not a "cushy" job. If it were easy, everyone would be a teacher, right? We have the time off, because we need it. We need to rejuvenate so our students learn. We need to have a break to forget about some of the events we have had to deal with and/or see. We go on a vacation so we can bring us back to the reason why we started teaching in the first place. We need the break, so our future generations know there are people out there who believe in them. As a teacher, we are teaching the next generation of any occupation, and trust me, there is nothing "cushy" about that.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Mommy Honey
Recently I have started to use the term, "honey." I have never really said "honey," before but I have been calling Carter, Honey, sometimes. Well, the other day, I said to Carter, "Come on, Honey." Carter replies with, "Honey."
I started giggling and made him say, "honey" several times. Well yesterday as Dustin was in the car, he said, "Mommy, Honey." Then, today, I was in the grocery store with him, he said "Mommy, Honey!" And instantly he melted his mother's heart. Well, since then, off and on tonight, he has called me "Mommy, Honey."
I called my dad tonight, and had him talk to Peanut. It then reminded me to tell my dad the "Mommy, Honey" story. My dad was laughing, and said I am sure if he called you that for the next 80 years, you would be just fine! I hadn't really thought about that, but how right he is. I love my little man more than ever imagined! He is truly the best and makes my day, every day!
I started giggling and made him say, "honey" several times. Well yesterday as Dustin was in the car, he said, "Mommy, Honey." Then, today, I was in the grocery store with him, he said "Mommy, Honey!" And instantly he melted his mother's heart. Well, since then, off and on tonight, he has called me "Mommy, Honey."
I called my dad tonight, and had him talk to Peanut. It then reminded me to tell my dad the "Mommy, Honey" story. My dad was laughing, and said I am sure if he called you that for the next 80 years, you would be just fine! I hadn't really thought about that, but how right he is. I love my little man more than ever imagined! He is truly the best and makes my day, every day!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Back At It
During my pregnancy I had to go off some of my medications, because they would not have been safe for the baby. Within three days of going off, I gained ten pounds. I then gained about seven more during the pregnancy and three more since I lost it. So, since November, I have gained 20 lbs! NOT OKAY!!!
As most of you know I have been really working on getting some weight off. Last year I lost 65 lbs, and was finally beginning to feel better about myself. Once I was pregnant, I really stressed the weight gain, but kept telling myself, "now that I know how to get it off, I am not going to worry. I just want a healthy baby." After I lost the baby, I REALLY struggled with the weight. I had worked so hard to get it off, I was angry that I had to lose 20 lbs, that I had already lost, again!
I have continued to hate knowing that I had gained weight, and my skinnier pants no longer fit. It has now been seven weeks since I lost the baby, and my body is finally back to functioning. I have anxiously been awaiting that so I could get back on my diet!
Last Friday I decided it was time, I was ready to get back at it and start to take control of something in my life. Today is day four of my diet, it is the hardest day for me, has been all three times. I am hungry, my head hurts, I am tired, and craving everything I can't have. However, saying all that, I am so ready to get this weight off.
I have a theory, that I made up, since the 20 lbs of fat is "new" fat, it will come off without any problems and I will be able to lose that 20 plus an additional 20 by June. That is right, I am planning on being down 40 lbs in the next three months. I am so excited and ready to be back on track.
So, as much as I HATE the restrictions, CRAVE the junk, MISS my Mexican food, I know it will be so much MORE worth any of that other temporary stuff to be feeling better about myself again. I really am looking forward to continuing to lose weight and I pray at one point, am able to hit my goal weight and maintain it. I just want to be healthy so I can be the kind of mom Carter is proud to say, "Yeah, that's my mom!"
As most of you know I have been really working on getting some weight off. Last year I lost 65 lbs, and was finally beginning to feel better about myself. Once I was pregnant, I really stressed the weight gain, but kept telling myself, "now that I know how to get it off, I am not going to worry. I just want a healthy baby." After I lost the baby, I REALLY struggled with the weight. I had worked so hard to get it off, I was angry that I had to lose 20 lbs, that I had already lost, again!
I have continued to hate knowing that I had gained weight, and my skinnier pants no longer fit. It has now been seven weeks since I lost the baby, and my body is finally back to functioning. I have anxiously been awaiting that so I could get back on my diet!
Last Friday I decided it was time, I was ready to get back at it and start to take control of something in my life. Today is day four of my diet, it is the hardest day for me, has been all three times. I am hungry, my head hurts, I am tired, and craving everything I can't have. However, saying all that, I am so ready to get this weight off.
I have a theory, that I made up, since the 20 lbs of fat is "new" fat, it will come off without any problems and I will be able to lose that 20 plus an additional 20 by June. That is right, I am planning on being down 40 lbs in the next three months. I am so excited and ready to be back on track.
So, as much as I HATE the restrictions, CRAVE the junk, MISS my Mexican food, I know it will be so much MORE worth any of that other temporary stuff to be feeling better about myself again. I really am looking forward to continuing to lose weight and I pray at one point, am able to hit my goal weight and maintain it. I just want to be healthy so I can be the kind of mom Carter is proud to say, "Yeah, that's my mom!"
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