I am officially done. Done-dee done done done. My classes are done, my final paper is done, and now I can relax. For a week and a half. Then I start my new job. Oy!! I am so relieved to have those classes done, and will NEVER take two summer courses at the same time again.
Just to keep us on our toes, we had someone want to see the house right after my daughter's birthday party when we were heading to Maine for the weekend. So we just packed, got the house picked up as best we could and left. The person who looked at the house the next morning wasn't too interested, I guess, so that was ok with us. We planned on meeting with the realtor tomorrow to take the house off the market officially (at least until next spring).
So the realtor called today to say that someone wants to see it, a motivated buyer, and he is a cash buyer. Like I said, it is keeping us on our toes! So we'll see what happens there. Probably not anything. DH has a friend who has had a condo on the market for over a year and has had more than one "cash buyer" come look at it. So who knows what will happen. I'm not going to stress about it. Seriously, I'm not. Really.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Bliss
A comfortable chair to lounge in, a book or magazine in hand, a lovely breeze to keep the sun from getting too hot, the lake stretching out in front of you, a loon to watch float through the cove, the children playing contentedly in the water nearby, a snack to munch on, a drink to quench thirst, and blessed peace. That is bliss. I had it, for three wonderful days.
What a gift my parents and grandparents gave to us when they bought the camp together. I have spent many happy hours there at 'camp'. It's not a cottage, it's a camp. It is rustic. It is less complicated, it is restful. The biggest dilema is what to eat next, for we always seem to be hungry. It is amazing how you can spend a whole day doing nearly nothing and still sleep like the proverbial rock.
We may not have traveled around the world as kids, we may not have had a lot of family vacations to other states, neither of which I'm particularly sorry about, but we had camp, we are the richer for it. Now it is a joy to me to see my children love it too, to be asking what day we are leaving to go to camp, how long it will be before we get there, to hear them talk about the first thing they will do when we arrive. Those are the joys that fill a heart, and I will try to treasure them.
What a gift my parents and grandparents gave to us when they bought the camp together. I have spent many happy hours there at 'camp'. It's not a cottage, it's a camp. It is rustic. It is less complicated, it is restful. The biggest dilema is what to eat next, for we always seem to be hungry. It is amazing how you can spend a whole day doing nearly nothing and still sleep like the proverbial rock.
We may not have traveled around the world as kids, we may not have had a lot of family vacations to other states, neither of which I'm particularly sorry about, but we had camp, we are the richer for it. Now it is a joy to me to see my children love it too, to be asking what day we are leaving to go to camp, how long it will be before we get there, to hear them talk about the first thing they will do when we arrive. Those are the joys that fill a heart, and I will try to treasure them.
Joys of Summer
They are haying the fields around our house, my favorite two to three times a year. I just love the smell, love to see the once-tall grass short and new and green, love that connection to the farming community here. This family leases the fields from the owners (who built a huge expensive house way out on a 92 acre piece of land) and hay the fields to feed their dairy cows. My favorite part is when they bale it - there is something about the way the bailer whips that topsy-turvy hay into a lovely rectangular bail! To go with the sound of the tractor in the field is the sound of my dear husband mowing our lawn.
Today is the perfect summer day for me weather wise. In the 80s, no humidity to speak of, a beautiful breeze, partly cloudy. Perfect.
Two days ago on my way home from school (how strange it feels to talk about being in school again!) I stopped at one of those small local grocery stores. I was buying only one small item, but then suddenly the clerk was handing me a huge bouquet of gorgeous roses!! They were free, a bit on the 'past it' side for them to be selling, so they were giving several bouquets away to customers. The ones I was given were the most beautiful color of them all. When we got married, my mother-in-law wore a corsage from sterling silver roses, and these roses remind me so much of them. They aren't pink, they aren't purple, they aren't really quite mauve. The are lovely, though, and I will enjoy them as long as they last. What an unexpected treat!
This week has been exhausting. We got home from my parents' camp late Sunday night. Monday I started class, then we went to the baseball game with DH's whole family (which was loads of fun). Tuesday I had to get up quite early to be in Manchester by 8 for my next class. And so it continued, with me reading as much as I can and typing up drafts of papers last night while eating my dinner after class, and so on. I am glad I do not have class on Fridays, and I am so grateful to have a husband as wonderful as J, who is so supportive and takes care of so many things while I am out during the day. Little Bug is thrilled that I am home in the evenings, as I was gone so much during the class I took in the spring, either at class or at work.
I am adjusting to life as a student, and I think I will enjoy both classes, though one more than the other. It is wonderful to put my mind to work in such a big way again, and to be stretching those muscles that have been dormant so long!
Today is the perfect summer day for me weather wise. In the 80s, no humidity to speak of, a beautiful breeze, partly cloudy. Perfect.
Two days ago on my way home from school (how strange it feels to talk about being in school again!) I stopped at one of those small local grocery stores. I was buying only one small item, but then suddenly the clerk was handing me a huge bouquet of gorgeous roses!! They were free, a bit on the 'past it' side for them to be selling, so they were giving several bouquets away to customers. The ones I was given were the most beautiful color of them all. When we got married, my mother-in-law wore a corsage from sterling silver roses, and these roses remind me so much of them. They aren't pink, they aren't purple, they aren't really quite mauve. The are lovely, though, and I will enjoy them as long as they last. What an unexpected treat!
This week has been exhausting. We got home from my parents' camp late Sunday night. Monday I started class, then we went to the baseball game with DH's whole family (which was loads of fun). Tuesday I had to get up quite early to be in Manchester by 8 for my next class. And so it continued, with me reading as much as I can and typing up drafts of papers last night while eating my dinner after class, and so on. I am glad I do not have class on Fridays, and I am so grateful to have a husband as wonderful as J, who is so supportive and takes care of so many things while I am out during the day. Little Bug is thrilled that I am home in the evenings, as I was gone so much during the class I took in the spring, either at class or at work.
I am adjusting to life as a student, and I think I will enjoy both classes, though one more than the other. It is wonderful to put my mind to work in such a big way again, and to be stretching those muscles that have been dormant so long!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Who thought this was a good idea?!
So I work at the mall part time at a women's clothing store. Directly across the corridor from the store I work at is one of those vitamin/supplement type stores. Outside the door of that store there is a scale. Yes, a scale, a large scale.
A scale that talks.
Yep, it talks. It can sense when someone walks by and it says, "Have you checked your weight today?"
Needless to say, it is quite annoying after a long shift to continually hear that phrase over and over. Granted, it is a nice voice, human sounding and so forth, but still. What does amuse me is the comments I hear from people walking by it. I haven't heard anything too rude, but there are many that say, "No, and I'm not going to!"
So who thought this scale was a good idea? Asking passersby if they have checked their weight? And who thought that people would actually WANT to weigh themselves in the middle of a mall, of all places?!! Personally, I'd be afraid that the talking scale would announce my weight out loud to the whole mall, wouldn't you?
I really want to know the whole thought process behind this scale. What was the meeting like where they pitched this idea? What were they thinking when they agreed to put something like this into production? I mean, there had to have been more than one person thinking this was a good plan! I'm wondering what went through their heads when they were all nodding in agreement.
By the way, have you checked your weight today? Nevermind - I don't want to know.
A scale that talks.
Yep, it talks. It can sense when someone walks by and it says, "Have you checked your weight today?"
Needless to say, it is quite annoying after a long shift to continually hear that phrase over and over. Granted, it is a nice voice, human sounding and so forth, but still. What does amuse me is the comments I hear from people walking by it. I haven't heard anything too rude, but there are many that say, "No, and I'm not going to!"
So who thought this scale was a good idea? Asking passersby if they have checked their weight? And who thought that people would actually WANT to weigh themselves in the middle of a mall, of all places?!! Personally, I'd be afraid that the talking scale would announce my weight out loud to the whole mall, wouldn't you?
I really want to know the whole thought process behind this scale. What was the meeting like where they pitched this idea? What were they thinking when they agreed to put something like this into production? I mean, there had to have been more than one person thinking this was a good plan! I'm wondering what went through their heads when they were all nodding in agreement.
By the way, have you checked your weight today? Nevermind - I don't want to know.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tooting my own horn
I've been working on my resume and writing up cover letters and generally getting paperwork together to apply for jobs in school districts. It is amazing what they require just to apply: three letters of recommendation, a copy of your college transcripts, your certification (or in my case a letter of eligibility for certification), plus filling out their applications, which usually means a rehash of your resume. I suppose it helps them winnow out those who aren't qualified at all, but it is a bit of a pain for me. I will have to go to Manchester to get copies of my transcripts from Saint Anselm College (which is also an expense, as I have to pay for those).
I've discovered that while I am good at writing many other things, writing about myself in terms of my accomplishments and so forth is not my strong suite. For one of the jobs for which I applied, DH wrote the cover letter for me. It turned out very well. It was truthful and honest, but phrased much better than I could have written myself. Plus it helped that he could see the cover letter from the point of view of an educator. I'll be glad when all these applications are done and sent in. It is the part of getting a job that I dislike the most. While I get nervous for interviews, I am comfortable once I am there and feel confident in how I present myself. But writing it all down? That's a whole other story.
DH will be done with school on Friday and then our real summer will begin. We'll have a week or so to enjoy all together before I start my classes. It has been strange to say that I'm starting graduate school, but also a little exciting. I've been feeling a little lazy lately, reading a lot for pleasure, but when I think about it, it makes sense. Once the classes start, I'll be doing so much other reading and writing that I won't have time for the pleasure stuff. So I'll enjoy the free time now while I can.
I have some crocheting I want to get done, as well. Months ago, I bought a large skein of yarn on clearance at Joann's. It had a pattern on the label for a shawl knit with just the one skein. I thought it would be perfect as an item for the silent auction at the Pemberley AGM. Well, I started it the other day, and I couldn't knit with that yarn to save my life (well, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration....:-)). I ripped it all out and tried about three times, then I ripped it out and started a crochet pattern of my own making with it. I did that about three times as well. Now I finally have a design of sorts that I like, and I'm sticking with it. The problem is that I don't know if I'll have enough yarn to finish it as large as I'd like (or even large enough to be a real shawl!). We shall see. I'll just keep going on and it and see what happens. I did look on ebay to see if there was any yarn like it, but they only have it in other colors. We shall have to wait and see!
I am determined today to actually do something productive. I'm not sure the one load of laundry I've put into the washer counts, so I shall have to go fold some other laundry and pick up a bit......then I'll crochet. Or read. :-)
I've discovered that while I am good at writing many other things, writing about myself in terms of my accomplishments and so forth is not my strong suite. For one of the jobs for which I applied, DH wrote the cover letter for me. It turned out very well. It was truthful and honest, but phrased much better than I could have written myself. Plus it helped that he could see the cover letter from the point of view of an educator. I'll be glad when all these applications are done and sent in. It is the part of getting a job that I dislike the most. While I get nervous for interviews, I am comfortable once I am there and feel confident in how I present myself. But writing it all down? That's a whole other story.
DH will be done with school on Friday and then our real summer will begin. We'll have a week or so to enjoy all together before I start my classes. It has been strange to say that I'm starting graduate school, but also a little exciting. I've been feeling a little lazy lately, reading a lot for pleasure, but when I think about it, it makes sense. Once the classes start, I'll be doing so much other reading and writing that I won't have time for the pleasure stuff. So I'll enjoy the free time now while I can.
I have some crocheting I want to get done, as well. Months ago, I bought a large skein of yarn on clearance at Joann's. It had a pattern on the label for a shawl knit with just the one skein. I thought it would be perfect as an item for the silent auction at the Pemberley AGM. Well, I started it the other day, and I couldn't knit with that yarn to save my life (well, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration....:-)). I ripped it all out and tried about three times, then I ripped it out and started a crochet pattern of my own making with it. I did that about three times as well. Now I finally have a design of sorts that I like, and I'm sticking with it. The problem is that I don't know if I'll have enough yarn to finish it as large as I'd like (or even large enough to be a real shawl!). We shall see. I'll just keep going on and it and see what happens. I did look on ebay to see if there was any yarn like it, but they only have it in other colors. We shall have to wait and see!
I am determined today to actually do something productive. I'm not sure the one load of laundry I've put into the washer counts, so I shall have to go fold some other laundry and pick up a bit......then I'll crochet. Or read. :-)
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Not quite Summer Rain
It was a lovely day for most of the day, then it started pouring about an hour or so ago. It slowed down, but now it's raining hard again. At the same time, I can see the sun shining on the driveway, so it's one of those crazy rains. It won't last long.
It has made me thing about all the people along the rivers in Iowa, etc where they have had so much rain and flooding. We were there ourselves just over a year ago, and the memories are strong. DH and I were lucky to have only the water in the basement, no matter how we really felt about it (and let's face it, 6 inches of water in the finished basement is a major pain and a trial, but nothing compared to losing a house or a family member, as others in New England did).
Ha! Now it has slowed down again! I'm sure lawns and plants will love it, as long as it has a chance to soak in. Places north of us got hail today, so I'm glad we haven't gotten that.
We are still living in House Limbo. There was a chance someone wanted to see the house today, but it came to nothing. I'm on the downward stroke of the roller coaster ride of having a house for sale, thinking that it will all come to nothing. Part of me is relieved, not having to pack, and being able to stay in this town. I have such mixed feelings about the town. But the other part of me is disappointed. DH will still have his long drive, it makes my job search more confusing, and I've done so much already to get prepared to move. I really felt like that was the way God wanted us to go, but perhaps I was all wrong. I wish I knew what He had planned for us.
It has made me thing about all the people along the rivers in Iowa, etc where they have had so much rain and flooding. We were there ourselves just over a year ago, and the memories are strong. DH and I were lucky to have only the water in the basement, no matter how we really felt about it (and let's face it, 6 inches of water in the finished basement is a major pain and a trial, but nothing compared to losing a house or a family member, as others in New England did).
Ha! Now it has slowed down again! I'm sure lawns and plants will love it, as long as it has a chance to soak in. Places north of us got hail today, so I'm glad we haven't gotten that.
We are still living in House Limbo. There was a chance someone wanted to see the house today, but it came to nothing. I'm on the downward stroke of the roller coaster ride of having a house for sale, thinking that it will all come to nothing. Part of me is relieved, not having to pack, and being able to stay in this town. I have such mixed feelings about the town. But the other part of me is disappointed. DH will still have his long drive, it makes my job search more confusing, and I've done so much already to get prepared to move. I really felt like that was the way God wanted us to go, but perhaps I was all wrong. I wish I knew what He had planned for us.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Another Monday
I'm not good at titles, so it's just another Monday.
What a crazy but good weekend. Friday I met my parents with the kids, and they took them home with them overnight. Jonathan and I had a quiet evening at home alone, which was nice. And boy was the house dark that night without any nightlights!
Saturday we had a yard sale, but didn't sell too much. What didn't sell we left out for free, and most of it was gone by the time we got home later, which was great. The weather was beautiful, really summery. We ran a couple of errands in preparation for Sunday (more on that later) and then met friends of ours in Wells, Maine. We went out to a late lunch and took a walk on the beach, which was lovely. I love the ocean. Not enough to want to live there, but I do love it. If I had to choose between living on a lake or living on the ocean, I would choose living on a lake, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying the ocean. Standing on a beach always makes me so away of how small we really are. Standing on the beach in San Francisco last July really made me feel that way, I think because you really can't see anything at all out beyond the ocean. Here in New England you can often see other parts of the shore or islands, etc. But still, it is all so vast and amazing. It puts everything in perspective.
We met my parents in Wells and took our children back. My little Bug whined all the way home, so we could tell they were both exhausted. My parents tuckered them out, and I'm sure my parents were pooped, too! But they told us that both kids had been very well behaved, which always makes us feel good.
We were so relieved when we got home that so much of what we left for free was gone! There were a couple of toys that we wanted to get rid of without the children knowing, but we knew that if they were there by the side of the road, little Bug would wonder why they were there. She may be almost 9, but she has a hard time letting things go, even the scooter she's had since she was a year old! But luckily anything of that ilk that might have been cause for lamenting was gone.
Yesterday we had a birthday party for our little Bud. He was excited about it, but I think his sister was even more so. The kids wanted an under water kind of theme, so I strung streamers across the ceiling in the kitchen to make it look like water (I think I might have stolen that idea from Danielle, but I'm not sure), and the kids painted boats and sand dollars. I think they all had a good time, and they were all very well behaved. But boy was I glad when it was over! I was so tired!
Now we have just two more weeks of school. (DH has three) I both look forward to the kids being done and dread it. Come July I will be taking two graduate courses, so I'm debating about whether or not to keep working right through the summer or not. Each class is four hours long, so it will be tiring, even when you don't consider the reading and writing that will go along with it.
I just found out over the weekend (thanks to DH's research) that Library Media Specialist is now on the critical shortage list, so I have contacted the state Department of Education in hopes that they will give me a new letter of eligibility so I can apply for library jobs. Perhaps things will all work out just the way I want! We shall see.
We are still waiting for some action on our house.....
What a crazy but good weekend. Friday I met my parents with the kids, and they took them home with them overnight. Jonathan and I had a quiet evening at home alone, which was nice. And boy was the house dark that night without any nightlights!
Saturday we had a yard sale, but didn't sell too much. What didn't sell we left out for free, and most of it was gone by the time we got home later, which was great. The weather was beautiful, really summery. We ran a couple of errands in preparation for Sunday (more on that later) and then met friends of ours in Wells, Maine. We went out to a late lunch and took a walk on the beach, which was lovely. I love the ocean. Not enough to want to live there, but I do love it. If I had to choose between living on a lake or living on the ocean, I would choose living on a lake, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying the ocean. Standing on a beach always makes me so away of how small we really are. Standing on the beach in San Francisco last July really made me feel that way, I think because you really can't see anything at all out beyond the ocean. Here in New England you can often see other parts of the shore or islands, etc. But still, it is all so vast and amazing. It puts everything in perspective.
We met my parents in Wells and took our children back. My little Bug whined all the way home, so we could tell they were both exhausted. My parents tuckered them out, and I'm sure my parents were pooped, too! But they told us that both kids had been very well behaved, which always makes us feel good.
We were so relieved when we got home that so much of what we left for free was gone! There were a couple of toys that we wanted to get rid of without the children knowing, but we knew that if they were there by the side of the road, little Bug would wonder why they were there. She may be almost 9, but she has a hard time letting things go, even the scooter she's had since she was a year old! But luckily anything of that ilk that might have been cause for lamenting was gone.
Yesterday we had a birthday party for our little Bud. He was excited about it, but I think his sister was even more so. The kids wanted an under water kind of theme, so I strung streamers across the ceiling in the kitchen to make it look like water (I think I might have stolen that idea from Danielle, but I'm not sure), and the kids painted boats and sand dollars. I think they all had a good time, and they were all very well behaved. But boy was I glad when it was over! I was so tired!
Now we have just two more weeks of school. (DH has three) I both look forward to the kids being done and dread it. Come July I will be taking two graduate courses, so I'm debating about whether or not to keep working right through the summer or not. Each class is four hours long, so it will be tiring, even when you don't consider the reading and writing that will go along with it.
I just found out over the weekend (thanks to DH's research) that Library Media Specialist is now on the critical shortage list, so I have contacted the state Department of Education in hopes that they will give me a new letter of eligibility so I can apply for library jobs. Perhaps things will all work out just the way I want! We shall see.
We are still waiting for some action on our house.....
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