nothing original

Well, Christmas didn’t come this weekend, but yesterday evening. We bought a new washer/dryer combo that comes with a $100 mail-in rebate. Albert Lee will be delivering our new stackable, front-loading washer and dryer tomorrow morning. Chris went to five different stores and found a great deal at each of them, but we chose Albert Lee because they didn’t charge delivery and take-away. I’m excited! I need to find another job. This and the remodel cost too much. I’m worried.

Today was another long day with my acupuncture appointment at the end. Therapy.

I got to see Peter and Brandie’s wedding rings today. Gorgeous.

Today was the first day of fall quarter. It was the usual hectic and crazy mayhem that most first days come. What made it even more so was that our office now has a desk in the lobby where Registration used to sit… along with CAP. I was getting all kinds of questions and wearing many hats. Not only working with my students to pick up their LOAs, but also printing class schedules for students, answering questions… mainly to send them off to another line. I had to work until 8p Friday and put in 3 hours on Saturday to get ready for this quarter. Ugh. I hope the rest of the week goes by quickly.

Vanessa’s school also had an open house to meet the teachers. Vanessa is doing well so far, but we came up with some strategies for her at home as well… to keep up with her progress at school. I just hope we can keep at it. Chris and I aren’t the best at keeping things going.

So, Logan started special ed preschool yesterday. He looks so big getting on the bus at 3 1/2 years old. OK, so he didn’t really walk up the stairs on his own. Grandma had to pick him up and make him go up the stairs. The bus driver (very nice lady!) buckled him into his seat. He was very good about it, but started to cry when we said “goodbye.” It sounds like he had an okay day, and he took a nap on the bus ride home. Today, grandma said he was much better getting on and off the bus. He was in different pants and shoes when he got home. His teacher called and said he went to the bathroom and had a bowel movement. Apparently, another boy went and Logan was watching in the doorway. After playing a little bit, he went into the bathroom and started undressing. The teacher sat him on the toilet and he went poop! All on his own! And then he preceeded to urinate and that went shooting forward over his pants and shoes. I forgot to send an extra set of clothes, but they managed to find another pair of pants and shoes to put on for the ride home. I’m so happy! He’s learning by example, but still won’t do much at home. I can’t wait for him to start talking.

Today was Welcome Day at the college. We had the largest turnout ever; the room was full. Welcome Day is an opportunity for new students to meet staff and faculty and tour the campus more before they start classes next week. Staff are invited to have a booth and showcase their services. I had to do a bit of running around as well.

Sad news first: Patrick Swayze died of pancreatic cancer today. It’s sad to hear especially because he was young. Dirty Dancing was THE movie growing up. sigh. Rest in peace Patrick… Last Friday was the anniversary of the September 11th attacks. A friend of mine went to New York to celebrate her father-in-laws 80th birthday and noted how many celebrations there were going on. She said it was an odd feeling. People wanted to celebrate the victims lives, but the saddened emotions were still everpresent.

On a more pleasant note, Vanessa started school last Wednesday, Sept. 9 and I think she is happy to go back. I think she was a bit bored sitting at grandma’s house all day. Logan will start special ed preschool this Wednesday. There will be a new teacher this year and we’ll meet her tomorrow afternoon during an open house. Logan will once again start riding the bus. I hope he remembers how much fun it was. I’ll be around to help grandma and watch him go, and also because I have to wait for a repairman to give me an estimate to fix my broken dryer.

Tomorrow is “Opening Day” at work. This is the time when all faculty and staff are to report back to the college for a mandatory all-campus meeting. I expect to get my 15-year pin. Oh joy.