13 days left of school (not that I'm counting) and I can only look ahead to August and a new school year in a new school in a new district. Somewhere where I am greeted with big smiles, hugs and "we are so glad you are here!" What a difference from where I have been.
I am reading books like crazy after a many months-long "drought". I am reading through the 2008-09 Texas Bluebonnet Award list, the latest Stephenie Meyer's book, The Host, Angels and Demons by Dan Brown, The Road by Cormac McCarthy and any new children's book I can get my hands on.
Life is looking up!! And just in time for summer - Grand Canyon, here I come!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Are you still here??
(Duffy pretty much sums up his attitude about the holidays.) Hi, how are you? Have you been here long? Sorry, didn't see you there but then I haven't been here since August!
Actually, my blog is one of my opening tabs so I do see it from time to time as I skim across the top looking for another tab.
Nothing really to say - just trying to get through the school year with the hopes that I will be somewhere else next August.
Times flies and I wish I had more to say about my life but it is what it is. Don't you hate that saying? I can't believe I just used it.
My boys are doing great. I am devoted to them and when my friends with human children start complaining about the things their kids are doing and/or saying, I am really glad to have my canine kids.
I've been in an astoundingly long "reader's block". I have had the same YA book sitting by my bedstand since December. I have rechecked it once then checked it out and rechecked it on my aunt's library card - that's twelve weeks and I still haven't finished it. I hang my head in shame.
I went to a crop last night for the first time in a while. It was fun - I got to use the Cricut for the first time. I cut letters for a title on one of the pages I was creating. I have just ordered some more supplies from scrapbook.com - somebody stop me!!
That's it for now. I feel the need to go do something so I can add it to my blog before summer. We'll see - later!!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Just don't know what to do with myself
I haven't posted in a while due to summer schedule and - who am I kidding? - because I'm writing for me and I haven't felt like talking to myself in a while.
My job situation has thrown me for a loop. Four of my very dear friends left to work together somewhere else and three others quit in the last two weeks. I feel lost and abandoned. Sounds silly but when most of your life revolves around work and you don't see those familiar faces anymore, it really affects the whole atmosphere (and attitude) at work.
Speaking of... we were instructed on how to be empathetic recently. I was telling a friend about it later and she thought it sounded so silly (as did I). "You are either empathetic or you aren't by now!" I concur!
Duffy's got allergies in his eyes - or so thinks the vet. Both eyelids are covered with bumps and his eyes are matted closed in the morning when he comes out of his crate. Poor baby!
I went to my first crop Saturday night. I was intimidated by everyone there but especially by this one young woman who has been cropping three months and was creating the most adorable pregnancy books for her friends (11 in her group are pregnant, OMG!) made from small brown paper bags folded over and loaded with cute papers, tags and embellishments. I look forward to going back, though, because they are such nice ladies!
Plug time: http://www.thecraftyscrapper.com/
My job situation has thrown me for a loop. Four of my very dear friends left to work together somewhere else and three others quit in the last two weeks. I feel lost and abandoned. Sounds silly but when most of your life revolves around work and you don't see those familiar faces anymore, it really affects the whole atmosphere (and attitude) at work.
Speaking of... we were instructed on how to be empathetic recently. I was telling a friend about it later and she thought it sounded so silly (as did I). "You are either empathetic or you aren't by now!" I concur!
Duffy's got allergies in his eyes - or so thinks the vet. Both eyelids are covered with bumps and his eyes are matted closed in the morning when he comes out of his crate. Poor baby!
I went to my first crop Saturday night. I was intimidated by everyone there but especially by this one young woman who has been cropping three months and was creating the most adorable pregnancy books for her friends (11 in her group are pregnant, OMG!) made from small brown paper bags folded over and loaded with cute papers, tags and embellishments. I look forward to going back, though, because they are such nice ladies!
Plug time: http://www.thecraftyscrapper.com/
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Dam it!
I must be in the writing mood today. Two posts in one day!
I am sitting at a crossroads at this point in my professional life. I feel like everything is backed up, waiting for a dam to burst loose so I can find my way to smooth waters. There are a number of logs in the dam. Here are just a few:
My "boss" who has been a co-worker and friend for many years is moving on and I'm not sure I like what he's leaving behind for the rest of us. I have been more sensitive lately (allergies=medication=mood swings) and I am letting this get to me more than it should.
I like what I am doing now but I know it will change significantly next year. I can hold out for one year and hope I get a position at (another) new school but I can't guarantee I would get it. Things have changed quite a bit in this district over the past few years. No more guarantees about anything anymore!
I also have a dilemma about teaching summer school. I applied to two campuses and have been hired for both. Now, I have to decline one of the positions without burning my bridges for next summer. Boo-hoo, poor me with two jobs - I wished I could feel ashamed for the excess but a girl's got to do what she can in the world of poorly paid educators.
Maybe a new profession? I don't feel financially stable enough to make a choice that radical just now.
Maybe it's the spring weather that's got me so conflicted - oh, well, it's already heating up for the summer and I will be indoors where I can think about my life until I am nauseated!
I am sitting at a crossroads at this point in my professional life. I feel like everything is backed up, waiting for a dam to burst loose so I can find my way to smooth waters. There are a number of logs in the dam. Here are just a few:
My "boss" who has been a co-worker and friend for many years is moving on and I'm not sure I like what he's leaving behind for the rest of us. I have been more sensitive lately (allergies=medication=mood swings) and I am letting this get to me more than it should.
I like what I am doing now but I know it will change significantly next year. I can hold out for one year and hope I get a position at (another) new school but I can't guarantee I would get it. Things have changed quite a bit in this district over the past few years. No more guarantees about anything anymore!
I also have a dilemma about teaching summer school. I applied to two campuses and have been hired for both. Now, I have to decline one of the positions without burning my bridges for next summer. Boo-hoo, poor me with two jobs - I wished I could feel ashamed for the excess but a girl's got to do what she can in the world of poorly paid educators.
Maybe a new profession? I don't feel financially stable enough to make a choice that radical just now.
Maybe it's the spring weather that's got me so conflicted - oh, well, it's already heating up for the summer and I will be indoors where I can think about my life until I am nauseated!
Alone.
I took my dogs to the local dog park today as I do every Sunday but I think today was the last day for a while. I don't know if the allergies and subsequent medications brought my emotions to the surface or what, but I didn't feel welcome at all.
I don't expect the dogs or the humans to meet me at the gate with open arms, smiles, hugs and wagging tails but I felt ostracized. Bailey got a little rough with a puppy (St. Bernard that is already bigger than he is) and I put him on the leash, as I do any time he gets a little rough. I felt an invisible door slam shut and everyone turn away to shun us. I went over and stood in the shade then to a bench with just a little shade left then finally, I tracked down Duffy and we all left. I don't think we had been there 45 minutes but I like to stay 1 - 1 1/2 hours when we go. It's such a far drive so I want us to stay long enough to make it worth our while.
After today, I don't think it's worth our while for a while. Sad - we really enjoyed the park but not if we are going to be shunned when we visit. Too bad - my boys are really going to miss it.
I don't expect the dogs or the humans to meet me at the gate with open arms, smiles, hugs and wagging tails but I felt ostracized. Bailey got a little rough with a puppy (St. Bernard that is already bigger than he is) and I put him on the leash, as I do any time he gets a little rough. I felt an invisible door slam shut and everyone turn away to shun us. I went over and stood in the shade then to a bench with just a little shade left then finally, I tracked down Duffy and we all left. I don't think we had been there 45 minutes but I like to stay 1 - 1 1/2 hours when we go. It's such a far drive so I want us to stay long enough to make it worth our while.
After today, I don't think it's worth our while for a while. Sad - we really enjoyed the park but not if we are going to be shunned when we visit. Too bad - my boys are really going to miss it.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
I'm in Love!
I have rediscovered a love that had been lost for a while. I have rediscovered my love of books! I recently attended the Texas Library Association annual conference and, while surrounded by books, authors and all things library, I was overcome by my love of reading and books.
I just finished an advanced readers' copy of The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan and loved it.
I am ready to begin The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, whom I met and dined with in San Antonio during TLA. I am also ready to begin Maude March on the Run! by Audrey Couloumbis after finishing the wonderfully raucous The Misadventures of Maude March by the same author. I await with eager anticipation the release of Gregor and the Code of the Claw by Suzanne Collins.
Ah, spring and a (relatively) young woman's thoughts turn to love - and books!!
Don't even get me started about the last Harry Potter. I haven't read The End, the last of the A Series of Unfortunate Events series by Lemony Snicket because I have such a hard time with endings and goodbyes. I still haven't seen the last two-three episodes of Arrested Development or the tape I have of Princess Diana's funeral. When it's over, it's over and I can't stand it.
I just finished an advanced readers' copy of The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan and loved it.
I am ready to begin The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, whom I met and dined with in San Antonio during TLA. I am also ready to begin Maude March on the Run! by Audrey Couloumbis after finishing the wonderfully raucous The Misadventures of Maude March by the same author. I await with eager anticipation the release of Gregor and the Code of the Claw by Suzanne Collins.
Ah, spring and a (relatively) young woman's thoughts turn to love - and books!!
Don't even get me started about the last Harry Potter. I haven't read The End, the last of the A Series of Unfortunate Events series by Lemony Snicket because I have such a hard time with endings and goodbyes. I still haven't seen the last two-three episodes of Arrested Development or the tape I have of Princess Diana's funeral. When it's over, it's over and I can't stand it.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Spring has sprung!
The weather is looking better and I feel a bout of spring fever coming on. I finished two big projects and have a whole week's vacation to look forward to.A new experience for me this week - my younger dog is sick with either allergies or a respiratory infection. After a visit to the vet to get loaded up on antibiotics and allergy medication, I am watching him closely. I've never heard of a dog having a respiratory infection unless it was kennel cough which is grouped with parvo and mange in my book.
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