Monday, May 26, 2008

My baby...

I forgot to mention the Spring Concert at school. Chris did such a great job! I was so proud of him! He was actually the only boy you could hear clearly in the 7th grade boys choir. Who knew he could sing?! He received two music awards during chapel (nobody thought to go get me so I could actually watch!). And will you stop telling me what a lady killer he's going to be? Much too scary for me to think about! He does clean up well though...I will admit!

Seeds of change....

After much wallowing in self-pity soup, I decided I needed to do something fun and constructive at the same time. Today I planted a vegetable garden! I'm so tired, but it felt really good to have this distraction! Hope you like tomatoes...chances are you'll be getting some this summer. I planted 5 varieties of heirlooms...the weirder the better! I also planted eggplant, zucchini, summer squash, 2 heirloom cucumbers, something called a chocolate bell pepper, basil (gonna make pesto!), lemon thyme (mostly for rubbing between my fingers and smelling!), and rosemary to attract the bees! A blue scrub jay was very interested in the goings on! He got so close to me. Probably planning where he was going to store his seeds! We will see about that!

Now how do I keep the neighborhood kitties from using the beds as their own personal potty? As much as I hate to admit it, my Dad's habit of using chicken wire may have to be the answer, unattractive as it may be. Anyone have ideas? Tried cayenne pepper and orange peel...didn't work for me in the past. Don't even suggest deer pee! Not gonna buy a dog either!

Saturday, my sis Jude and I hopped in her car and drove West. It was gloomy, but we didn't care. Breakfast was first on the agenda. We went to this little hole in the wall on the way out to the coast. I think it was still considered to be Sebastopol. I've driven by the structure many times, but never stopped. It recently changed hands, and is now called "St. Rose". If they had posted the menu on the outside, we probably would have moved on...but they didn't, so we went in. A neat, eccentric little place. Pricey, but with a neat sense of whimsy! The table was set so nicely, with cloth napkins, silver place settings, and these pretty glasses filled with cucumber and mint water. It was really refreshing! Gonna try it at home! The menu was quirky....with things like "Satan's breakfast", which consisted of Lucky Charms and half and half. This was $6 by itself, so don't go if you're thrifty. I had polenta, with country ham and roasted asparagus. Jude had potato chip omelet with avocado crema and pimenton (turns out this is a fancy way of saying paprika...but that would have been boring!). Both were really good! I must say, I really enjoyed their bathroom as well! Sophisticated and cute at the same time! It doesn't take much to excite me does it?! They had a lot of fresh flowers throughout. Neat place! I'd go back again. Because of the location, it probably won't last though. Too bad! Hmm....career as a food critic?? Probably not good for the waistline!

After breakfast, we drove a short bit down the road to Rose & Thorn nursery and gift shop. This too was a bit pricey, but they had beautiful plants! I bought several. They also have Pygmy goats! Judy arranged for them to consign her cards. Her website is : http://kaleidoskapesbyjude.com/.
She uses photos that she's taken, and turns them into these really cool kaleidoscope pictures. Mostly from picture from Hawaii, and Sonoma. They're really cool! Check her out!

We then headed down the road a bit further to a farm stand. I think it belonged to someone named Bob. Nice variety of organic fruit and veggies. I bought vegetarian jerky. I know...I know....what was I thinking? One word....yuck! Next time I'll pass!

When we got back home, Mom needed to head out to Kaiser to pick up some medication. I talked her into going to Home Depot afterwards. It was raining, so we used my huge IKEA umbrella. Not a good idea to have someone under 5' hold the umbrella. I got it in the eye a few times.....stupid me! I did load up on the veggies for my little garden though. Fun!

Chris and I went to see the new Indiana Jones movie on Sunday. He liked it a lot! I didn't, but I will reserve my opinion as to not ruin it for you!

All in all, a pretty full weekend! I'm getting good at forcing out the stuff I don't want to think about. Job hunting! Double yuck!

So how are you?

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Again....it is what it is....

I had a feeling...deep down in my gut. I didn't want to face it. I kept telling myself not to go there. As of the end of the month, I guess I am no longer an RVCS employee. Even with my suspicions, I am devastated. I love my job....I'm good at my job. The economy is taking a tremendous toll on our precious little school.

So now what? I need to force myself out of my fear and figure this out. Another job? Where? A part-time job, and part-time school scenario? What about benefits? My son is 13. He needs benefits! School full-time so I can finish quicker? How do I pay for it? Again...what about benefits? What to do...what to do? My job was one of a very few stabilizing factors in my life right now. Not what I needed, that's for certain.

I didn't handle the news well in regards to Weight Watchers either. I pretty much blew it for the last two days. I don't understand why change sends me off the edge. Then I start the cycle of self-abuse all over again. Frustrating!

In other news....who new face-painting was soooo exhausting?! I was wiped out!

So how was your week?

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Busy...busy...busy...

This time of year things always start to heat up. Some good...some bad. What an overwhelming week it has been. I have two more weeks of biology class. I have to write two more papers, and start studying for the final exam. Looks like a tough one! I had to pass on swimming Tuesday night because it was Chris's spring concert at RVCS. What a wonderful concert it was though! I'm so proud of my son! He is awesome! I'm also passing on swimming tonight in order to hopefully accomplish at least half of one of my papers, which I'm bummed about because I love it so much! I also need to track down some face paint. Tomorrow is the math fair at school, and I guess I'm the face painter. Our supplies don't look sufficient however, so I need to find some more. Any idea where I can find this? Too bad it's not Halloween....

There are only two and a half more weeks of RVCS as well. Chris has projects and finals looming too. Looks like we're going to flip a coin to see who gets the computer this weekend...

Good news! I did get my online class I was hoping to get for the summer. Reading and composition. Hope I like it!

The economy is taking it's toll on our wonderful school. Today I find out if I have a job next year. I'm just going to trust whatever God has planned for me. At least....I'm really going to try to!

What to get Mom for Mother's Day? That's a tough one too! Ideas anyone?

Ok! Most of you know that I have the kindergarteners at lunch time every day. It's my Lunchbunch! As is often the case, they say amazing things! I've changed the names to protect the innocent (tee-hee!)--

Johnny: Mrs. Brown?
Kate: Yes Johnny?
Johnny: I think there's a mother flea on my lunchbag.
Kate: Oh really? How do you know it's a mother flea?
Johnny: Well....because it has 6 legs.
Kate: Do father fleas have more or less?
Johnny: Oh! Many more!

Separate conversation overheard--
Joey: You love your brother don't you Janie?
Janie: If you're in love with your brother, that's called "incest"!
Kate: (quickly trying to dodge a bullet...) So...who likes cookies?

After lunch I'm in with the third grade class.
Here's a conversation in there--
Arthur: Mrs. Brown?
Kate: Yes Arthur?
Arthur: My back hurts...right here....(he points)
Kate: Well Arthur...I did see you pick up Wendell during recess. Maybe you pulled something when you did that? You shouldn't pick him up...he's the same size you are. You have to protect your back.
Arthur: My dad picks up weights all the time.
Kate: Does your dad wear a weight belt when he does that?
Arthur: Yes...
(He pauses.....thinking loudly to himself)
Arthur: Tomorrow I'll bring a weight belt.

Have a wonderful day!