nothing original

What a week. Monday was a holiday, yet it always feels like the week is longer when you have a day off. My Tuesday started off wonderfully, that is, until a bird hit my windshield and got caught under the wiper blade. Since there aren’t any really conveniently-located gas stations along my route to work, the bird stayed with me through most of my drive. Poor bird… poor me. I had to watch it go up and down. By the time I got to a gas station, I was laughing so hard. I couldn’t help it.

The rest of the week went pretty smoothly… well, as smooth as it could be considering. I know have to concentrate on taxes. Ugh.

It’s been what 2 months since I last posted? How pathetic am I? Well, I do have an excuse of sorts. I madly finished my Christmas cards, the winter quarter began and I was so exhausted that I used Facebook as my distraction. So much mindless time waster games. I think I’m finally getting over that.

I bought a new laptop the day after Christmas. My old laptop died; it didn’t want to turn on. A beautiful, sleek HP laptop. Very smooth keys. After a very full week at work and administering standardized testing on Saturday, I was in Michael’s to use my gift card when I got the call from Chris. Oh boy. Two weeks after getting it, Logan pushes it off the table and breaks the LED screen inside. I was so exhausted from the first week of school, I didn’t have the energy to be mad or upset. I think I was too near a nervous breakdown to show any emotion.We didn’t get the idiot insurance because I’m careful with my stuff… didn’t account for the boy.  Geek Squad at Best Buy was zero help. They wanted $400 and 4-5 weeks to ship out the computer and run diagnostics. Forget that. We went to Computer Sonics and they gave me an estimate of $225 and 5-7 days. Can’t beat that and they were almost spot on their timing. They did have to send out for parts, but I didn’t mind. A little over a week instead of over a month. Not bad. I wish I had remembered at the time that I purchased the laptop with an American Express card. Oh well. Live and learn.

I’ve started knitting a little. I belong to a club that sends out craft kits. One of the kits was to knit a scarf. They had awful instructions and terrible yarn to start a novice with, but I muddled through and finished it. It only took me 5 months or so to get it done. I was kind of afraid of it because it seemed like it would take forever for me to complete, but a couple of Saturday tests and I finished! The next knitting kit they sent was socks. Kind of afraid of this one too, but this is one project I want to learn. I want to learn to make socks.

Oh! I had a bit of fun this past Friday. I won a Bunco tournament. It was for charity and the grand prize was 3-$30 gift cards to Target. You could say it was kind of a fluke that I won, but I’ll say positive affirmation or mind over matter, helped me to win. For the first round, I got most Buncos… 5! They took the most wins and most Buncos from each table then drew names to fill the rest of the seats. Having had most Buncos at my tables, I automatically moved on to the quarter finals and lost. They did the same thing: take the most Buncos and most wins and drew names. My number was picked, so onto the semi finals. I tied for most Buncos and we did a roll off. I won that, so on to finals and another round of drawing. The final round was whoever roll three 6’s wins the tournament and the grand prize. I kept saying “me” and “six” and “Bunco” in my head. After a few rounds around the table, I won! Yea me! Jackie, my mother-in-law says to shop for the kids. After my make-over last year, I think the kids could use some new clothes and toys.

Well, time to go to bed. I hope I can get back into a rhythm and start blogging on a regular basis again. Tax season is here, so maybe not. (sigh)

I think I won’t ever request three day delivery with UPS. I placed an order with Arbonne Wednesday evening and it was shipped Thursday. I added extra for three day shipping, expecting for my package to arrive on Monday, since UPS doesn’t deliver on Saturdays, but I haven’t received anything yet. I sent a comment to Arbonne’s customer service, not that they’ll care or do anything. *sigh* I guess I’ve learned my lesson.

I need to start working on my Christmas cards.

There’s been a lot of love going on in my family. You know the old phrase “sharing is caring?” Well we’ve been sharing a cold. Chris had it, then Vanessa, tnen me. Logan hasn’t gotten it yet, or he is the culprit that started it all. My boss may have H1N1 and she’s been sharing with her family too. Hope I didn’t get too close to her, because I don’t want to be sick again.

So, what’s been going on around here? The start of fall quarter back on Sept. 21 was hectic as usual and I put in a few comp time hours. The second week of the quarter was also busy, then Vanessa got sick. I was doing fine until last Saturday. Even went to a bridal shower, in the evening was when I took a nose dive. I tried going to work on Monday, but both my boss and I ended up going home early. We both stayed home Tuesday, and I managed to get back to work on Wednesday. My boss was out the entire week.

I had my first SAT testing for the academic year today. My friend Christine brought my packs of paper to start my Christmas cards and gifts. We (she) purchased them through an online store called PaperTrey Ink. They have some of the most beautiful colors and their cardstock is thicker than what you would normally find. I’m even borrowing a Christmas stamp set from Christine that she purchased from PaperTrey. I’ve been getting my stuff through her because she already has an account. But last month she enters in their monthly drawings by submitting a comment. She won a very nice set of stamps and dies. I’m jealous, so tonight, I entered. I saw a template that you can download, print, and cut. Now I have to get my own account. I need to get a part-time job to support my habit.

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.

I can’t believe August is over. The kids will start school next Wednesday. Later than most, but traditionally, we start the Wednesday after Labor Day. What really gets me is that almost every Friday is an early release day. WTF? By Washington State law, children must be in school for 180 days. As long as they are in school for a certain number of hours, that is counted as a whole day. I wonder if there is anything in the FAPE law. Probably not. Most federal laws are ambiguous at best.

My director is out sick for the next few days. It started last Friday and the doctor wants her to stay home for a few days to make sure she’s not contagious. The only thing is, we’re not sure what she has, I guess a week is now a standard. No, it’s not H1N1.

Logan is being potty trained. He’s slowly getting it… usually lets us know after the fact, but don’t all kids at the beginning? And, yes, he hides when he goes poop and runs to us when he’s done. Ahh, kids.

Day two of playing with my new phone. I’ve added Facebook, Flickr, movies, and music. A friend of my has dubbed me a “gadget girl.” Yes, I agree that I am. I’m a geek, what can I say. Unfortunately, I have to work tomorrow (darn it), so I need to get to bed and get some sleep! Sadly enough, Chris has had to put the kids to bed because I’m too busy playing!