We are moving this weekend, to a house a lot closer to the school. :)
To say this is a good thing is an understatement I think.
Anyway I probably wont be blogging until late next week after the phone and internet are hooked up at the new house. :)
Pray that this move goes smoothly! :)
Our life as an Air Force Family *Retired*, in words and photos.
Showing posts with label Move. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Move. Show all posts
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
another day, another story
Mrs. J and I were talking today and I mentioned Mrs. M returning on Monday.
Mrs. J said not to count on anything, and that Mrs. P, still has me in the system until May.
This is how Mrs. J explained her thinking to me:
Mr. M, is feeling really good, but his cancer is actually spreading. Mrs. J said that his cancer is in his brain, spine, liver and lungs. The only vital place it is not is his pancreas.
Mrs. J put it like this, "the living before you are dying syndrome". Where you have a period of feeling great right before you go down hill, fast.
She said that is why she didn't say anything to me, or call me last night about it (she had to leave early yesterday, because her daughter was sick at school), because she doesn't really expect it to happen, or if it does happen (Mrs. M coming back), that I should be prepared to be asked to come back in within a couple of days, at the most a few weeks.
I told her that I understood that all too well, since it sounds like how several people I have know that suffered from Cancer have been right at the end.
I also told her how last night I was happy for Mr. and Mrs. M, because with the way she was talking it sounded positive, but that I was going to miss "my babies" if I had to leave them. Mrs. J giggled and said "they grow on you quick don't they?" That they sure do, that they sure do.
Mrs. J also told me that she keeps telling Mr. L and Mrs. H, and Mrs. B that she feels I am not being utilized the way that they should be using me, and that she is keeping her eyes and ears open, and constantly asking her fellow teacher friends at other schools to let her know if they hear of anything coming open, because she "knows a great teacher looking for a job." Smile
Rumor mill has it that if the teacher across the hall that has been out since before Christmas, does not return next week, she will be "let go". I guess next week she will pass the ____ days of missed work (she had some surgery, I think). And is giving the school the run around about when she will return.
I know every week since I have been in the school (and for the three weeks before I started) we have heard she will be back on Monday, and then Monday rolls around and they have the sub again. Of course I have heard every week since "winter break" that if she didn't return "the next week" she would be let go, but this time it supposedly came from the "horses mouth".
The sub that was in there from Christmas until the week before the job fair, and now this week again, told me to day that I should have gone in there this week, and then I could have just walked into the job when it opens. Problem there was no one told me that the teacher wasn't not coming back, so I couldn't put the bug in Mr. L's ear about it. sigh Plus I can see where they wouldn't want to have that happen in case she did come back next week, then they would have disrupted the routine in two classes for nothing (giving both classes yet another sub.) I asked the para-pro in there why Mrs. S was encouraging me to go for that position, and not going for it herself and she said that Mrs. S already has a position for next year. sigh yet another position that "hasn't been released yet" that is already filled.
I am really surprised that none of the parents have not been up in arms in that classroom over all of the changes yet. I know if it were one of my kids in there, I would at least be asking some serious questions, about the situation. But hey its not my kid...
Jerry said that I had a phone call today from one of the other counties schools. I tried calling them back after I got home, but there was no answer. I will have to try in the morning before I go to take DJ to preschool.
Oh and speaking of DJ and preschool...
Ms. M the new teacher in his classroom said that he had a rough day again today. So I explained to her all of the changes and adjustments that he has gone through in the last year.
Jerry being "gone" for 6 months.
P, N, J and W moving in with us for 2 months.
The move here.
New school.
My working 3 jobs trying to make ends meet.
The fact that his old preschool was a much smaller class (6-8 students), and much more structured. Everyone colored, and did arts at the same time, everyone played blocks, everyone did whatever on the schedule.
I think he does better with structure, and I explained this to her. Hopefully she will start to take this into account (Ms. D never did, and knew all of this, but its worth a try.)
Mrs. J said not to count on anything, and that Mrs. P, still has me in the system until May.
This is how Mrs. J explained her thinking to me:
Mr. M, is feeling really good, but his cancer is actually spreading. Mrs. J said that his cancer is in his brain, spine, liver and lungs. The only vital place it is not is his pancreas.
Mrs. J put it like this, "the living before you are dying syndrome". Where you have a period of feeling great right before you go down hill, fast.
She said that is why she didn't say anything to me, or call me last night about it (she had to leave early yesterday, because her daughter was sick at school), because she doesn't really expect it to happen, or if it does happen (Mrs. M coming back), that I should be prepared to be asked to come back in within a couple of days, at the most a few weeks.
I told her that I understood that all too well, since it sounds like how several people I have know that suffered from Cancer have been right at the end.
I also told her how last night I was happy for Mr. and Mrs. M, because with the way she was talking it sounded positive, but that I was going to miss "my babies" if I had to leave them. Mrs. J giggled and said "they grow on you quick don't they?" That they sure do, that they sure do.
Mrs. J also told me that she keeps telling Mr. L and Mrs. H, and Mrs. B that she feels I am not being utilized the way that they should be using me, and that she is keeping her eyes and ears open, and constantly asking her fellow teacher friends at other schools to let her know if they hear of anything coming open, because she "knows a great teacher looking for a job." Smile
Rumor mill has it that if the teacher across the hall that has been out since before Christmas, does not return next week, she will be "let go". I guess next week she will pass the ____ days of missed work (she had some surgery, I think). And is giving the school the run around about when she will return.
I know every week since I have been in the school (and for the three weeks before I started) we have heard she will be back on Monday, and then Monday rolls around and they have the sub again. Of course I have heard every week since "winter break" that if she didn't return "the next week" she would be let go, but this time it supposedly came from the "horses mouth".
The sub that was in there from Christmas until the week before the job fair, and now this week again, told me to day that I should have gone in there this week, and then I could have just walked into the job when it opens. Problem there was no one told me that the teacher wasn't not coming back, so I couldn't put the bug in Mr. L's ear about it. sigh Plus I can see where they wouldn't want to have that happen in case she did come back next week, then they would have disrupted the routine in two classes for nothing (giving both classes yet another sub.) I asked the para-pro in there why Mrs. S was encouraging me to go for that position, and not going for it herself and she said that Mrs. S already has a position for next year. sigh yet another position that "hasn't been released yet" that is already filled.
I am really surprised that none of the parents have not been up in arms in that classroom over all of the changes yet. I know if it were one of my kids in there, I would at least be asking some serious questions, about the situation. But hey its not my kid...
Jerry said that I had a phone call today from one of the other counties schools. I tried calling them back after I got home, but there was no answer. I will have to try in the morning before I go to take DJ to preschool.
Oh and speaking of DJ and preschool...
Ms. M the new teacher in his classroom said that he had a rough day again today. So I explained to her all of the changes and adjustments that he has gone through in the last year.
Jerry being "gone" for 6 months.
P, N, J and W moving in with us for 2 months.
The move here.
New school.
My working 3 jobs trying to make ends meet.
The fact that his old preschool was a much smaller class (6-8 students), and much more structured. Everyone colored, and did arts at the same time, everyone played blocks, everyone did whatever on the schedule.
I think he does better with structure, and I explained this to her. Hopefully she will start to take this into account (Ms. D never did, and knew all of this, but its worth a try.)
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Sunday, not quite super Sunday, but Sunday indeed
It is now almost 8 pm, and I am still in my pajamas. How is that for a lazy Sunday?
Now I wouldn't really call today lazy though. It was spent hanging pictures, emptying boxes, rearranging kids rooms, going through toys and books.
The garbage men will probably hate me again come Tuesday. There are boxes upon empty boxes out by the road waiting to be collected. Of course the pile is smaller than yesterday when we had put out some older furniture that we didn't need, and people have come along and asked if they could have them. And I am sure that it will get even smaller before Tuesday from people that need boxes for moving that stop by and pick some up. I know I could probably have listed them on Craigslist or Freecycle, but honestly that sounded like more hassle than it was worth, and I figure that last time we put out this many boxes I think the garbage men only picked up 5.
I have most of the pictures up on the walls. There are a few that I can't find, but they are decorations type of pictures, so nothing too bad. There are a few things that I am not hanging up this time, and there are some things from my Grandma's house that I got, that I didn't hang up before that I have now.
We got DJ's room arranged and I went through all of his toys and books, washing and packing up the ones that he has out grown. I know where they are going, along with blankets and his first Christmas outfits, but I have to wait a few more weeks before I spill the news, because I promised. Not even the girls know. :evilgrin: But knowing where the stuff is going, and knowing that it is going to someone that I know and love made it that much easier to pack it all up. Because I admit giving up his baby stuff, knowing he is my last baby was tough, and I put it off, and put it off. Now I know why I put it off. :)
Going through all of the boxes was tough today. came home from the funeral, and even after the trip up to see her the last time, we brought home stuff that had meaning for me. I put some of it out to be seen every day, and others of it, we just never found the perfect spot for it. My curio cabinet here is over flowing, because I have put so much of it in there (we need shelves, or another curio), but I want to be able to see it every day, and remember the love that I had for my Grandma.
The one that really got me in tears was the last of my Grandma's Duck Glasses. It only holds maybe 6 ounces and every morning Grandma would serve orange juice, and on the weekends we had Cherry-go-round. Just seeing that glass today made me be able to smell the Cherry-go-round.
Here is the recipe for Cherry-go-round
I don't think grandma did it as a jelly roll, if I remember correctly she did it in a cake pan and cut slits in it. I think I am going to email my mom for the recipe that she has.
If you could keep Nathan, Tricia, and Gwyneth in your thoughts and prayers. They are having some rough days, mentally right now it sounds like. I am praying that they continue to do well physically, and improve every day.
Alice, in South Africa is off of the vent! Which is wonderful news.
Now I wouldn't really call today lazy though. It was spent hanging pictures, emptying boxes, rearranging kids rooms, going through toys and books.
The garbage men will probably hate me again come Tuesday. There are boxes upon empty boxes out by the road waiting to be collected. Of course the pile is smaller than yesterday when we had put out some older furniture that we didn't need, and people have come along and asked if they could have them. And I am sure that it will get even smaller before Tuesday from people that need boxes for moving that stop by and pick some up. I know I could probably have listed them on Craigslist or Freecycle, but honestly that sounded like more hassle than it was worth, and I figure that last time we put out this many boxes I think the garbage men only picked up 5.
I have most of the pictures up on the walls. There are a few that I can't find, but they are decorations type of pictures, so nothing too bad. There are a few things that I am not hanging up this time, and there are some things from my Grandma's house that I got, that I didn't hang up before that I have now.
We got DJ's room arranged and I went through all of his toys and books, washing and packing up the ones that he has out grown. I know where they are going, along with blankets and his first Christmas outfits, but I have to wait a few more weeks before I spill the news, because I promised. Not even the girls know. :evilgrin: But knowing where the stuff is going, and knowing that it is going to someone that I know and love made it that much easier to pack it all up. Because I admit giving up his baby stuff, knowing he is my last baby was tough, and I put it off, and put it off. Now I know why I put it off. :)
Going through all of the boxes was tough today. came home from the funeral, and even after the trip up to see her the last time, we brought home stuff that had meaning for me. I put some of it out to be seen every day, and others of it, we just never found the perfect spot for it. My curio cabinet here is over flowing, because I have put so much of it in there (we need shelves, or another curio), but I want to be able to see it every day, and remember the love that I had for my Grandma.
The one that really got me in tears was the last of my Grandma's Duck Glasses. It only holds maybe 6 ounces and every morning Grandma would serve orange juice, and on the weekends we had Cherry-go-round. Just seeing that glass today made me be able to smell the Cherry-go-round.
Here is the recipe for Cherry-go-round
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F to 115 degrees F)
1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F to 115 degrees F)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
2 cans (16 ounces each) pitted tart cherries, well drained
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
For the Icing:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
RECIPE METHOD
In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add warm milk, sugar, butter, salt, egg and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Line two baking sheets with foil and grease well; set aside. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll each portion into a 14-in. x 7-in. rectangle. Spread cherries over dough to within 1/2 in. of edges. Combine the flour, brown sugar and pecans; sprinkle over cherries.
Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seams and tuck ends under. Place seam side down on prepared baking sheets; pinch ends together to form a ring. With kitchen scissors, cut from outside edge two-thirds of the way toward center of ring at 1-in. intervals. Separate strips slightly and twist to allow filling to show. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks. Combine icing ingredients; drizzle over warm coffee cakes.
I don't think grandma did it as a jelly roll, if I remember correctly she did it in a cake pan and cut slits in it. I think I am going to email my mom for the recipe that she has.
If you could keep Nathan, Tricia, and Gwyneth in your thoughts and prayers. They are having some rough days, mentally right now it sounds like. I am praying that they continue to do well physically, and improve every day.
Alice, in South Africa is off of the vent! Which is wonderful news.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Check marks on the to do list
Today I was able to get a couple of things marked off of the "Patty's to do list".
Turn in DJ's CDC paperwork---------------- Check
Turn in substitute paperwork--------------check
Make substitute business cards-------------check
Rewrite resume-----------------------------check
Set up interview for kindergarten position-----check
Ok so that last one wasn't on my, to do list last night, when I was going through what had to be done today. This morning about 830 I got a phone call from one of the local schools wanting to know if I wanted to interview tomorrow for a Kindergarten position that has just opened up. So I said yes, and then got on with my day. Now I am sufficiently scared to death nervous. I have looked at the schools website, and I have pulled up the state standards for Kindergarten, so I think I have done everything almost everything that I can do. There is a link on the school's website that I am not sure what it means, and I have a note to myself to remember to ask about it. It is called Georgia's 21st Century Learning Environment, which I have never heard of, and can't quite figure out the ins and outs of the website.
If you can spare a couple of positive thoughts tomorrow at 1 eastern time, and then off and on until they make a decision I would appreciate it. I have been turned down so many times this school year already it is hard to stay positive with it all.
DJ and I got a late start to go to his registration meeting at the CDC. I guess it was not a big deal, since I was the only one there, and it was just with the secretary of the CDC. We finished filling out all of his paperwork, and then went on the "official" tour of his classroom. He wanted me to hold him, and not to leave him today, which was good, since he wasn't staying. Hopefully on Monday we will have an easy drop off.
After we left the CDC we went and had lunch at BK, and then drove over to Jerry's work and got the paperwork I needed for my substitute package out of the truck plus went in and talked to Jerry.
We took the scenic route (all back roads) down to Perry to the district office and dropped off my substitute package. I didn't do the reference forms since they said yesterday that if we had done an application on line we didn't need to. The secretary that took my package looked and I have 6 out of 6 reference forms returned. I hope that is a good thing!
I am frustrated with Lowes up here, that's for sure. I have played phone tag with the HR since applying for my transfer back in October, and we have only talked twice on the phone. Since getting here on the 3rd I have not managed to catch her yet! I went in one day last week and she was out of town, so I left a message. Then she called back on Monday, but I missed the call on the house phone due to the fried phone fiasco, and she called my cell phone it was in the car and I was taking groceries in the house. When I called her back, she had left for the day. Then yesterday and today both I have called and she was in meetings, but she didn't call back either day. DJ and I stopped by the store on the way home from Perry, and asked about her, and was told that she was still in a meeting, I swear she is in more meetings than the President of the United States! I am tempted to throw in the towel with it all, and just put in to work all hours at Sylvan that don't interfere with subbing (or teaching if there is a miracle and I get offered the kinder job). But with all that Ty did for me to get me this transfer I really don't want to do that.
Kelsey got called back for the play that she tried out for yesterday, they are doing the casting call for it tomorrow. Which means, we are now entering the world of High School Drama. I mean that literally, as in theater department drama, not just the typical high school drama that goes on in high school. Kelsey also switched classes today, she switched out of chorus and into a computer class. The chorus class wanted $100 for a uniform, and then another $600 for their field trip to Washington DC, and both from the sounds of it were mandatory. So last night she asked me if it was ok with me if she switched out and maybe took it next year. I figured on the counselor calling me or Kelsey telling me that I needed to go in and sign something, but that wasn't the case, she just came home and said that the switch had happened.
On the news of Trisha, Gwyneth, and Nathan over at Confessions of a CF Husband, Trisha and Gwyneth both had rough days yesterday, and Nathan stayed at the hospital to be with them last night. His last update was at 1 today, and they were weaning Trisha off the rest of the sedatives, so I am praying that she did well with that. There are no other updates on any of the blogs, so pray that this is a good thing!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Any one want to fill out a job application for me?
I fill like all I have done lately is fill out job applications and turn them in. Maybe thats because thats all I have been doing, and it is getting old and frustrating. I know that I have to stay positive and keep the course, but not hearing anything from most of the jobs that I have applied for is stressful. I know I have my job at Lowes to fall back on, but since that is not my dream, it makes it hard to be excited about that one.
Today I went to the orientation for substitute teaching here, and got yet another application to fill out. At least with this one, I will know something in about 2 weeks (thats how long it takes the background check).
The bonus is that since I have already filled out an application to teach for the county I only have to fill out about half of the packet. So I should have it all filled out by tomorrow morning (really I should already have it done, but I have a headache again).
The bad part is that I had to have my fingerprints done, again, for the 4th time in 3 years. Why, you ask? Well it is simple, I started off teaching in one county in Florida, then after that year moved to the alternative school and had to get my fingerprints done for the county that we lived in, then this fall because I was transitioning from teaching to subbing, and since I was not "on" the county's payroll at the alternative school I had to have them done again. Now with the move to Georgia I had to have them taken once again. Let's do the math $65x3 in Florida, plus another $40 here in Georgia, is $235. Ouch.
I really wish someone would come up with a Nation wide standard, or database that all teachers were kept in. I guess they would still have to check to make sure that we are who we say we are. Darn...
But I bet that who ever sits and watches the data popping out of the fingerprint system is wondering what the heck is up with me getting my fingerprints done so often. I wonder if that flags against me?
DJ had a good couple of hours at the CDC today. He was "resting" when I went in to pick him up, and said that he had a good time. He was a little sad when I left him, but he got over it before I even got out to the lobby of the CDC where the video monitors are. Right now he is a little sad, because after we left the CDC we went to the commissary and got groceries. He got Popsicles, and has been eating them almost non-stop since we got home, and Jerry just told him no more until after dinner.
Kelsey tried out for a part in the school play today after school. She said that she tried out for part of the ensemble, and if she gets that she will have a 7th period class for rehearsals. She said that on the tryout forms she put that she would be interested in doing crew if she did not get a part in the play. The school here seems to have a big theater department, since they just performed Sussecial last weekend and are already doing tryouts for a new play this week, which to me seems to mean that even if she doesn't get a part in this play there will be plenty of opportunities before she graduates, as long as she doesn't give up.
Over on Confessions of a CF Husband Nathan has posted a few videos of his and Trisha's life together up to this point. It is a pretty neat way to get to know these people that I have been thinking of a lot lately, that I don't even know in person. He also did one post titled Like a Virus that he has asked that everyone posts a comment with their blog addresses if they have posted for prayers for the family, so that when Trisha is able she can go easily and read them all. The last time I looked there were 155 comments on there. It is amazing to me the people that they have touched with their story. Gwyneth is being put on a CPAP machine today, which is GREAT NEWS! Lots of prayers that she will "remember to breath" so they do not have to intubate her again. Trisha seems to be as well as can be expected at this point, and does better when Nathan is with her, as I can imagine, he is her rock, and her link to the world of Gwyneth, major prayers that she continues to stay strong.
Today I went to the orientation for substitute teaching here, and got yet another application to fill out. At least with this one, I will know something in about 2 weeks (thats how long it takes the background check).
The bonus is that since I have already filled out an application to teach for the county I only have to fill out about half of the packet. So I should have it all filled out by tomorrow morning (really I should already have it done, but I have a headache again).
The bad part is that I had to have my fingerprints done, again, for the 4th time in 3 years. Why, you ask? Well it is simple, I started off teaching in one county in Florida, then after that year moved to the alternative school and had to get my fingerprints done for the county that we lived in, then this fall because I was transitioning from teaching to subbing, and since I was not "on" the county's payroll at the alternative school I had to have them done again. Now with the move to Georgia I had to have them taken once again. Let's do the math $65x3 in Florida, plus another $40 here in Georgia, is $235. Ouch.
I really wish someone would come up with a Nation wide standard, or database that all teachers were kept in. I guess they would still have to check to make sure that we are who we say we are. Darn...
But I bet that who ever sits and watches the data popping out of the fingerprint system is wondering what the heck is up with me getting my fingerprints done so often. I wonder if that flags against me?
DJ had a good couple of hours at the CDC today. He was "resting" when I went in to pick him up, and said that he had a good time. He was a little sad when I left him, but he got over it before I even got out to the lobby of the CDC where the video monitors are. Right now he is a little sad, because after we left the CDC we went to the commissary and got groceries. He got Popsicles, and has been eating them almost non-stop since we got home, and Jerry just told him no more until after dinner.
Kelsey tried out for a part in the school play today after school. She said that she tried out for part of the ensemble, and if she gets that she will have a 7th period class for rehearsals. She said that on the tryout forms she put that she would be interested in doing crew if she did not get a part in the play. The school here seems to have a big theater department, since they just performed Sussecial last weekend and are already doing tryouts for a new play this week, which to me seems to mean that even if she doesn't get a part in this play there will be plenty of opportunities before she graduates, as long as she doesn't give up.
Over on Confessions of a CF Husband Nathan has posted a few videos of his and Trisha's life together up to this point. It is a pretty neat way to get to know these people that I have been thinking of a lot lately, that I don't even know in person. He also did one post titled Like a Virus that he has asked that everyone posts a comment with their blog addresses if they have posted for prayers for the family, so that when Trisha is able she can go easily and read them all. The last time I looked there were 155 comments on there. It is amazing to me the people that they have touched with their story. Gwyneth is being put on a CPAP machine today, which is GREAT NEWS! Lots of prayers that she will "remember to breath" so they do not have to intubate her again. Trisha seems to be as well as can be expected at this point, and does better when Nathan is with her, as I can imagine, he is her rock, and her link to the world of Gwyneth, major prayers that she continues to stay strong.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Weekend update
It is Sunday night again, and for once I am not wondering where the weekend went to. Of course this could be because I know where it went, or it could be because I don't have to work tomorrow, so I don't care where it went. ;)
Friday night we went out to a co-worker of Jerry's house for dinner and a bonfire with the people from his new shop. This couple live out in the toolies, but have a beautiful house, with a lot of land for their 3 dogs and two horses. Kelsey got a line on a couple of babysitting jobs, and DJ got to play and run around with some other little people, while Jerry and I just got to enjoy the company of the people he will be working with for a few hours, and get to know them better. Natalie was at a new friend's house staying the night.
Saturday morning bright and early I got up and drove down to Americus to go take a test for a state job. Lets just say it was an interesting test, the first 36 questions were spelling, take 4 words and say which one is spelled wrong. Then the rest of the questions were reading comprehension type of questions. Very interesting, lets just say that the state of Georgia needs someone to rewrite their tests, even if these are just the tests to see if you qualify to even be considered for a job, um yeah.
While I was in the room taking the test I started to get a headache, I am not sure if it was from lack of sleep on Friday night or from the perfume of the woman sitting in front of me. I of course couldn't run out to the car and take anything while doing the test, but the test only took me about an hour to complete, so I was hoping that I caught it in time.
On the way home I decided that I needed to stop and let my headache meds kick in, so I stopped at Andersonville, which was a Civil War prison camp, and now has the National POW museum on the property. The POW museum brought tears to my eyes, it is very well done and something that the creators can be proud of. Then I got back in the car and drove to the cemetery, and around the property before driving on home.
I am looking forward to going back down with the family in the future, where I can spend more time, and have my camera with me (the pictures were taken on my phone).
By the time I got into Warner Robins I thought that the drive home was the longest 55 miles of my life. My headache had turned into a full blown migraine. I ended up spending the rest of the day in bed asleep, so much for getting the house organized.
Last night Natalie went back to her new friend's house and stayed the night again. This friend is involved in the Girl Scouts, so I am thinking that this friendship will be a good thing, and it is nice that she has found someone that she clicked with so quickly. Kelsey has made a few friends in her first two days at school as well, which is nice, as the phone has rang for both of the girls. It makes me feel better about this move in the middle of the year.
Today, Jerry had to go into work, so the kids and I worked our hind ends off on organizing the house. I got my room rearranged, and only managed to break one thing. The house phone, I plugged the wrong power cord into it, and fried the base. So if you need to call and get a hold of us in the next couple of days, call one of the cell phones. I also managed to get most of the boxes unpacked that were cluttering up the dining room. I discovered that we do not have enough shelf space here and we will need to do something about that in the near future, my curio cabinet is cluttered now, as I discovered more of my grandma's things that I want to have out to enjoy. I put some glass bottles and candle holders on the top of the entertainment center, but Jerry is worried that they will break there, so they need a new home. But they are pretty there, see:
Tomorrow DJ and I go and enroll him in the CDC on base. I had found him a preschool off base that I was going to enroll him in, but the CDC is just as close, and it should be less expensive for the same if not better quality care. I just need to inquire into hourly care for Tuesday as that is when I have my substitute orientation, as he does not have a spot with the CDC until the following week.
Nathan over at Confessions of a CF Husband has put up more pictures of Gwyneth, including one of her great grandmother getting to touch her, so precious. As well as a couple of prayer requests for other families that have little ones in the NICU with Gywneth. If you have not been over to see his site go check it out now, and say a little prayer for Trisha, Gwyneth, and Nathan.
Friday night we went out to a co-worker of Jerry's house for dinner and a bonfire with the people from his new shop. This couple live out in the toolies, but have a beautiful house, with a lot of land for their 3 dogs and two horses. Kelsey got a line on a couple of babysitting jobs, and DJ got to play and run around with some other little people, while Jerry and I just got to enjoy the company of the people he will be working with for a few hours, and get to know them better. Natalie was at a new friend's house staying the night.
Saturday morning bright and early I got up and drove down to Americus to go take a test for a state job. Lets just say it was an interesting test, the first 36 questions were spelling, take 4 words and say which one is spelled wrong. Then the rest of the questions were reading comprehension type of questions. Very interesting, lets just say that the state of Georgia needs someone to rewrite their tests, even if these are just the tests to see if you qualify to even be considered for a job, um yeah.
While I was in the room taking the test I started to get a headache, I am not sure if it was from lack of sleep on Friday night or from the perfume of the woman sitting in front of me. I of course couldn't run out to the car and take anything while doing the test, but the test only took me about an hour to complete, so I was hoping that I caught it in time.
On the way home I decided that I needed to stop and let my headache meds kick in, so I stopped at Andersonville, which was a Civil War prison camp, and now has the National POW museum on the property. The POW museum brought tears to my eyes, it is very well done and something that the creators can be proud of. Then I got back in the car and drove to the cemetery, and around the property before driving on home.
I am looking forward to going back down with the family in the future, where I can spend more time, and have my camera with me (the pictures were taken on my phone).
By the time I got into Warner Robins I thought that the drive home was the longest 55 miles of my life. My headache had turned into a full blown migraine. I ended up spending the rest of the day in bed asleep, so much for getting the house organized.
Last night Natalie went back to her new friend's house and stayed the night again. This friend is involved in the Girl Scouts, so I am thinking that this friendship will be a good thing, and it is nice that she has found someone that she clicked with so quickly. Kelsey has made a few friends in her first two days at school as well, which is nice, as the phone has rang for both of the girls. It makes me feel better about this move in the middle of the year.
Today, Jerry had to go into work, so the kids and I worked our hind ends off on organizing the house. I got my room rearranged, and only managed to break one thing. The house phone, I plugged the wrong power cord into it, and fried the base. So if you need to call and get a hold of us in the next couple of days, call one of the cell phones. I also managed to get most of the boxes unpacked that were cluttering up the dining room. I discovered that we do not have enough shelf space here and we will need to do something about that in the near future, my curio cabinet is cluttered now, as I discovered more of my grandma's things that I want to have out to enjoy. I put some glass bottles and candle holders on the top of the entertainment center, but Jerry is worried that they will break there, so they need a new home. But they are pretty there, see:
Tomorrow DJ and I go and enroll him in the CDC on base. I had found him a preschool off base that I was going to enroll him in, but the CDC is just as close, and it should be less expensive for the same if not better quality care. I just need to inquire into hourly care for Tuesday as that is when I have my substitute orientation, as he does not have a spot with the CDC until the following week.
Nathan over at Confessions of a CF Husband has put up more pictures of Gwyneth, including one of her great grandmother getting to touch her, so precious. As well as a couple of prayer requests for other families that have little ones in the NICU with Gywneth. If you have not been over to see his site go check it out now, and say a little prayer for Trisha, Gwyneth, and Nathan.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
two in school, one to go
The fiasco that was Kelsey's credit drama is resolved. The school in Florida gave her the credits. If she would have had poor grades, or a lot of absences they would not have done it. 
I had to call the school in Florida this morning and make sure that they got the fax and Mrs. A called back and said it was sorted. So we went out to lunch with Jerry and the gal from his work, then went into the school and got her all signed up. They do not offer art courses, so she is a little disappointed in that, but she will still have chorus. She starts tomorrow morning bright and early. Of course we were warned 3 or 4 times that if the paperwork doesn't get to them soon she wont get credit. I guess I am going to have to be super mom/annoying mom and be on the phone checking to see if they get it or not.
Now I just have to see about finding DJ a preschool here in town. I have emailed two preschools today to see if they have room in their 3 yo classes, and I plan on going by both of them tomorrow.
I had to call the school in Florida this morning and make sure that they got the fax and Mrs. A called back and said it was sorted. So we went out to lunch with Jerry and the gal from his work, then went into the school and got her all signed up. They do not offer art courses, so she is a little disappointed in that, but she will still have chorus. She starts tomorrow morning bright and early. Of course we were warned 3 or 4 times that if the paperwork doesn't get to them soon she wont get credit. I guess I am going to have to be super mom/annoying mom and be on the phone checking to see if they get it or not. Now I just have to see about finding DJ a preschool here in town. I have emailed two preschools today to see if they have room in their 3 yo classes, and I plan on going by both of them tomorrow.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Home schooling? part two
I think we may have the situation solved. I sent off a long email to Kelsey's counselor and the assistant principal in Crestview explaining what was going on. About 45 minutes later I got a phone call from the counselor she ended up asking me to fax her everything that they had sent with us and she said that they were going to fix it. She also said it was only because we were military and because I had asked and was told we were ok with moving before the semester ended, and that normally they would not do it, plus with Kelsey's grades that I read her she felt it would be ok to do it. So I went back to the high school here and had them fax everything for me. Now I just have to wait to hear from Crestview again, and for them to fax everything back here hopefully sorting it out.
I am still stressed beyond belief and still worried that something will still go wrong, but I think we are on the right track.
I am still stressed beyond belief and still worried that something will still go wrong, but I think we are on the right track.
Home schooling?
I never in a million years would have ever thought that I would ever consider homeschooling the kids. However, this is where I am at, and with Kelsey of all of the kids :insertshockedfacehere:
I am so frustrated and here is why.
I took Kelsey up to register her for the high school yesterday and was handed a huge packet of stuff that I needed before we could register her. So we came home, got Jerry and the other kids and ran out to go do everything that needed to be done on base. Got back in time to enroll Natalie at the middle school, but not to get back to the high school for Kelsey.
So this morning Kelsey and I drive back over to the high school (its close enough to walk to, but my hip is playing up still.) We sit down, fill out all of the forms and then are informed by the guidance secretary that Kelsey will not get credit for the work that she did first semester in Florida, because the semester there had not ended yet.
I stood there dumb founded, because I asked at the school that she left about the credit situation and how the semester here ended already, and was told that it wasn't a problem. So she called the school in Florida and was told that she was correct and they didn't know what I was talking about.
The secretary here suggested that we send her back down to Florida for a couple of weeks so that she can finish the semester there, which would mean imposing on one of her friends families for a few weeks, or else the couple that is renting our house. Not a good suggestion when you are talking about a 14 year old girl. I trust Kelsey, and I trust the couple that I would send her to stay with if that is what it takes, but she is not "theirs" so I don't see them caring as much about her studying for said finals, or her caring about listening to them. Plus what a strain that would be on the friendships that would be involved in such a situation.
The other suggestion was for her to just repeat the first semester of her freshman year, which of course made her bawl, because she had such good grades first semester.
I don't know what to do at this point.
I have a message for the counselor in Florida to see what they suggest we do, as well as sending off an email to them. I also have emailed one of the big online homeschool high schools to see if we went that route would she loose the credits anyway. I guess if we went that route the whole feeling of my blog would change huh?
I am so upset I could cry.
I am so frustrated and here is why.
I took Kelsey up to register her for the high school yesterday and was handed a huge packet of stuff that I needed before we could register her. So we came home, got Jerry and the other kids and ran out to go do everything that needed to be done on base. Got back in time to enroll Natalie at the middle school, but not to get back to the high school for Kelsey.
So this morning Kelsey and I drive back over to the high school (its close enough to walk to, but my hip is playing up still.) We sit down, fill out all of the forms and then are informed by the guidance secretary that Kelsey will not get credit for the work that she did first semester in Florida, because the semester there had not ended yet.
I stood there dumb founded, because I asked at the school that she left about the credit situation and how the semester here ended already, and was told that it wasn't a problem. So she called the school in Florida and was told that she was correct and they didn't know what I was talking about.
The secretary here suggested that we send her back down to Florida for a couple of weeks so that she can finish the semester there, which would mean imposing on one of her friends families for a few weeks, or else the couple that is renting our house. Not a good suggestion when you are talking about a 14 year old girl. I trust Kelsey, and I trust the couple that I would send her to stay with if that is what it takes, but she is not "theirs" so I don't see them caring as much about her studying for said finals, or her caring about listening to them. Plus what a strain that would be on the friendships that would be involved in such a situation.
The other suggestion was for her to just repeat the first semester of her freshman year, which of course made her bawl, because she had such good grades first semester.
I don't know what to do at this point.
I have a message for the counselor in Florida to see what they suggest we do, as well as sending off an email to them. I also have emailed one of the big online homeschool high schools to see if we went that route would she loose the credits anyway. I guess if we went that route the whole feeling of my blog would change huh?
I am so upset I could cry.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Monday afternoon/evening eastern time zone
Well if you noticed that there was not a new blog this weekend, it is because it was a bad internet weekend around these parts. The internet is back up, but the house phone is jacked up (but my cell phone number works). It has been a weekend for all things computer wise to go crazy, we didn't have internet Saturday and most of Sunday, and then Sunday the phone decided to go out, and of course it is all connected. Now the internet works, but not the phone, they are supposed to come out tomorrow to fix it all. I am ok with not having a house phone that works, we did without one for almost 2 years, but not having internet just about killed me. I know I should not be so dependent on the silly thing, but I am.
I tried to enroll the girls in school today, succeeded with Natalie (except I have to do a trip to the Social Security office to get a new card for her), and have to go back to the high school tomorrow for Kelsey to do it all. You know the whole shot records on the correct states form. (insert rolling eyes here)
This whole eastern time zone thing is throwing me off, and I finally figured out why. Other than the week we spent in Baltimore, and the couple of weeks when I was at Penn State for training (neither of which I watched any tv during) I have never been on an eastern time zone schedule for anything. So the news not coming on until 7 and 11, and all of the shows not being on until 8 is just crazy to me. I have a feeling that I will be trading in our cable box for one with a DVR here soon, because staying up that late is nuts.
I have pictures and stories from this weekend to blog about, as soon as I pull the pictures off the camera. We had a good time on Saturday, and yesterday was just spent lazing around the house.
I tried to enroll the girls in school today, succeeded with Natalie (except I have to do a trip to the Social Security office to get a new card for her), and have to go back to the high school tomorrow for Kelsey to do it all. You know the whole shot records on the correct states form. (insert rolling eyes here)
This whole eastern time zone thing is throwing me off, and I finally figured out why. Other than the week we spent in Baltimore, and the couple of weeks when I was at Penn State for training (neither of which I watched any tv during) I have never been on an eastern time zone schedule for anything. So the news not coming on until 7 and 11, and all of the shows not being on until 8 is just crazy to me. I have a feeling that I will be trading in our cable box for one with a DVR here soon, because staying up that late is nuts.
I have pictures and stories from this weekend to blog about, as soon as I pull the pictures off the camera. We had a good time on Saturday, and yesterday was just spent lazing around the house.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Home is where the Air Force sends us
And I have arrived with Tigger, the two birds and the rest of our stuff to join the family in Georgia.
We got off to a very late start yesterday because of the cold weather. You see my Prius that I have had very few problems with in the 2 1/2 years that I have owned it does not like the cold weather.
Both times that we were in Iowa the first winter we had the car, when it got below 25 outside the car did not start the next morning. The dealership in Iowa said it was the computer, and to have it replaced when we got home. The dealership in Florida told us both times that they thought that it was a fluke, and not a problem. Which it wasn't until this Arctic blast that recently hit the southeast came through. In Crestview at our house it was 18 F yesterday morning. Which my car does not like.
So I ended up calling Toyota roadside assistance, to whom I had to explain that I have the extended warranty on the car so that they will come out. Of course the woman I talked to was not listening when I told her that this problem had happened before and that the car would need to be towed to the dealership to have the computer reset. No, she sent out a local towing company to jump start the car.
Add insult to injury, the guys she sent out had no clue how to jump a hybrid.
The head guy popped the hood looking for the battery to jump. Um dude my battery that you need is in the trunk, in the spare wheel well, but thats not the problem. So I had to call the roadside assistance back and get them to authorize for the car to be towed
Which they did, but I don't think they were very amused by my telling them that they didn't listen very well in the first place.
When we got to Ft. Walton Beach the gal told me that it was my battery that was the problem, and something to do with the throttle cable being dirty.
I guess I don't know what I am talking about. So I spent $300 that I really didn't have to have the battery replaced on my car, the throttle cable cleaned, and the engine filter changed (the only part that I knew before yesterday that was going to need to be changed soon.) They wanted me to get new tires, which admittedly the car needs but after sinking the money for the battery, I don't have. When I left Quality Imports they assured me that the problem should not happen again. I laughed because I knew, I knew what was going to happen.
I then left Ft. Walton Beach for the last time, drove back to Crestview, stopped by Cox to drop off the cable box and modem (waited in line there for 40 minutes) reloaded the car, grabbed Tigger and the birds and was on the road at 5:15 or so. Tigger and I only stopped twice on the way up, and we got here about 11:15 local time, so not a bad trip at all.
I told my mom and Jerry both that I was sure the car was going to not start this morning, because it was already down to 27 when I pulled in the drive at the new house. Call me
but I was sure I was right.
Guess what! I wasn'tI was right. 
I was on the phone with Quality by 930, and on the phone with the local Toyota dealer shortly after that. The local place had me call the towing company that they use, but before they could get out to the house to get the car it started enough to where we could drive it the 2 miles to the dealership (much better than 20 that it was to get to Quality from the house).
We left the car with the dealership and went to deal with the rent on the house, pet deposit, stopping at Jerry's new work (where it looks like all they do is play on the computer, but then again its the week of New Years). By the time we got to eat lunch the dealership called and said that it is the computer
and they have ordered a new one that should be in by Tuesday. He said we could pick up the car if we had a way to jump it, if we needed too, and I told him just to keep it, and call me when it was fixed.
The only really bad thing about all of this is that I didn't get the girls enrolled in the local schools today like I had planned.
Its not a big thing, I can register them on Monday because Jerry doesn't have to go to work for a couple of more days. If they need him they have the phone number and I can drop him off or he could walk (it'd be a long walk, but he could do it).
Tomorrow I think we are going to try and go to the Aviation Museum. Jerry has not been yet, and Starbase Robins is having the Lego Robotics thing tomorrow and Sunday (according to the one sign we saw). So we thought that would be something local, and pretty neat to go see.
Now to work on getting the house in order. As of right now nothing is where it should be and it is going to drive me crazy.
We got off to a very late start yesterday because of the cold weather. You see my Prius that I have had very few problems with in the 2 1/2 years that I have owned it does not like the cold weather.
Both times that we were in Iowa the first winter we had the car, when it got below 25 outside the car did not start the next morning. The dealership in Iowa said it was the computer, and to have it replaced when we got home. The dealership in Florida told us both times that they thought that it was a fluke, and not a problem. Which it wasn't until this Arctic blast that recently hit the southeast came through. In Crestview at our house it was 18 F yesterday morning. Which my car does not like.
So I ended up calling Toyota roadside assistance, to whom I had to explain that I have the extended warranty on the car so that they will come out. Of course the woman I talked to was not listening when I told her that this problem had happened before and that the car would need to be towed to the dealership to have the computer reset. No, she sent out a local towing company to jump start the car.
Add insult to injury, the guys she sent out had no clue how to jump a hybrid.
The head guy popped the hood looking for the battery to jump. Um dude my battery that you need is in the trunk, in the spare wheel well, but thats not the problem. So I had to call the roadside assistance back and get them to authorize for the car to be towed
Which they did, but I don't think they were very amused by my telling them that they didn't listen very well in the first place. When we got to Ft. Walton Beach the gal told me that it was my battery that was the problem, and something to do with the throttle cable being dirty.
I guess I don't know what I am talking about. So I spent $300 that I really didn't have to have the battery replaced on my car, the throttle cable cleaned, and the engine filter changed (the only part that I knew before yesterday that was going to need to be changed soon.) They wanted me to get new tires, which admittedly the car needs but after sinking the money for the battery, I don't have. When I left Quality Imports they assured me that the problem should not happen again. I laughed because I knew, I knew what was going to happen.I then left Ft. Walton Beach for the last time, drove back to Crestview, stopped by Cox to drop off the cable box and modem (waited in line there for 40 minutes) reloaded the car, grabbed Tigger and the birds and was on the road at 5:15 or so. Tigger and I only stopped twice on the way up, and we got here about 11:15 local time, so not a bad trip at all.
I told my mom and Jerry both that I was sure the car was going to not start this morning, because it was already down to 27 when I pulled in the drive at the new house. Call me
but I was sure I was right. Guess what! I wasn't
I was right. I was on the phone with Quality by 930, and on the phone with the local Toyota dealer shortly after that. The local place had me call the towing company that they use, but before they could get out to the house to get the car it started enough to where we could drive it the 2 miles to the dealership (much better than 20 that it was to get to Quality from the house). We left the car with the dealership and went to deal with the rent on the house, pet deposit, stopping at Jerry's new work (where it looks like all they do is play on the computer, but then again its the week of New Years). By the time we got to eat lunch the dealership called and said that it is the computer
and they have ordered a new one that should be in by Tuesday. He said we could pick up the car if we had a way to jump it, if we needed too, and I told him just to keep it, and call me when it was fixed. The only really bad thing about all of this is that I didn't get the girls enrolled in the local schools today like I had planned.
Its not a big thing, I can register them on Monday because Jerry doesn't have to go to work for a couple of more days. If they need him they have the phone number and I can drop him off or he could walk (it'd be a long walk, but he could do it). Tomorrow I think we are going to try and go to the Aviation Museum. Jerry has not been yet, and Starbase Robins is having the Lego Robotics thing tomorrow and Sunday (according to the one sign we saw). So we thought that would be something local, and pretty neat to go see.
Now to work on getting the house in order. As of right now nothing is where it should be and it is going to drive me crazy.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
So much for getting an early start
We got down to 18 here last night, yes in Florida, 18 degrees F.
Does anyone remember what happened to my car when I was in Iowa both times and it got that cold? 
car wont start. I have had to call roadside assistance to have someone come out and fix it. When I was on the phone with them, they tried telling me that my warantee had expired, um no it hasnt we got the 100,000 mile one.So I had to unpack my car so they can get to the part they need to get too, and they will probably end up having to tow it to the shop anyway, because last time it did this it was the computer that doesnt like the cold.
My husband is a smartass and told me that I should have kept it warm last night, um how? Put a scarf and ear muffs on it? 
I could have put it in the garage I suppose, but that would have meant getting Pat to move their car out of the center of the driveway and his Harley over to the side more of the garage. Plus its a car its not supposed to have these issues!
Toyota is going to be putting a new computer in my car me thinks.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
All my bags are packed
Im ready to go
Im standin here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin
Its early morn
The taxis waitin
Hes blowin his horn
Already Im so lonesome
I could die
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that youll wait for me
Hold me like youll never let me go
cause Im leavin on a jet plane
Dont know when Ill be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go.
Theres so many times Ive let you down
So many times Ive played around
I tell you now, they dont mean a thing
Evry place I go, Ill think of you
Evry song I sing, Ill sing for you
When I come back, Ill bring your wedding ring
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that youll wait for me
Hold me like youll never let me go
cause Im leavin on a jet plane
Dont know when Ill be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
Now the time has come to leave you
One more time
Let me kiss you
Then close your eyes
Ill be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I wont have to leave alone
About the times, I wont have to say
Oh, kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that youll wait for me
Hold me like youll never let me go
cause Im leavin on a jet plane
Dont know when Ill be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
But, Im leavin on a jet plane
Dont know when Ill be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
Words and music by john denver
Ok so not quite leaving on a jet plane, but I am all packed and ready to leave, just have to wait for Cox to be open in the morning to drop off the cable box and modem. Plus I love that song.
I think I will repack the car in the morning to make more sense than it does now, as when I found things laying around today I went out and threw them in the car, so there is stuff everywhere, and a lot of it would work better in other places or arranged just a bit differently.
Right now I am laying on a blanket in my bedroom for the last time, and I really want to cry. This is "OUR" first house, the first house that the payments we have made have gone towards our future, and not someone else's and now we are leaving it. That is hard. Yes, we will still own the house, but it will not be the same, and more than likely once the market settles down some we will try and sell the house.
I have made some really good friends here, most of them in the last 6 months, and they are going to be hard to replace. I know we will stay in touch through the power of the internet, and the phone, plus visits, but it will not be the same.
Like Nate and Natalie said yesterday, home is where the Air Force sends us, and we will see you in two bases, I can only hope its true.
To my Lowes buddies, stay in touch, I will miss you all, thank you for the last couple of months, you made the job worth the hassles.
Good bye Crestucky, good bye...
Monday, December 31, 2007
Moving progress update #1
Well step one in the misadventures of moving the Cleveland clan to Georgia is complete.
Jerry, the kids, and Roo left today about 10 am for Georgia with the Trailblazer and trailer. Jerry called and left a message about 630 saying they had made it, stopped by the house dropped things off and were at Walmart picking up milk and such. I didn't get to talk to him because when I was sorting out the wires to the modem and such the phone came unplugged and I didn't realize it until it was getting late and I started worrying about them.
They got off to a late start today because when Jerry was working on the lights for the trailer yesterday afternoon he blew a fuse for the running lights of the trailer, and it was getting dark when he did it so he could not see it to fix it until this morning. Once he changed that out they were off.
The original (well about plan x or so really) plan was for them to take both of the dogs with them, and I would travel with just the birds. But Nik pointed out how squashed Tigger was going to be, if he went with them. So Tigger will travel with me and the birds. Right now he is in old dog heaven, getting spoiled by all of us left here. The first hour or so he wandered the house looking for the kids and the dogs, but once he realized that they were really gone and not about to jump out around a corner at him he has been enjoying himself I think. I am sure that he will be excited to see Roo and his Humans when we get to Georgia later in the week though.
William was a great help today getting everything sorted out some more. We worked in the garage, kitchen, and my room for about 3 hours I think sorting more, and throwing things away, can we say purge? I got rid of a bunch of my teacher stuff that I have had since college, that I haven't touched other than to move since college. I figure two trips across the ocean and three between houses (one each time here at Eglin, and once at the Heath) was enough, with me not using them. (now watch I will regret it, or I can hope at least that I get a job where I think, wow I wish I still had x,y or z that I just threw away). Then I went into the girls room and went through a lot of their clothes. I know that I told them to go through their clothes a while ago and to get rid of anything that was stained or did not fit, but I swear that I got rid of 4 big bin bags of clothes tonight, and probably could get rid of a bunch more if I had tried, or had them with me to make them try things on. Plus William helped me get the boxes that the movers packed last week when they were here into the dining room. They were in the way and driving me crazy. I couldn't see my floor in my bedroom because of the boxes, plus I couldn't get to the bathroom from one side of the room without going over the bed. Then there were boxes that they left in the hall between the living room and kitchen, and boxes in the living room. They were every where! I swear I hate military movers. I finished packing the one box that they left, just to get it out of the way. I can't wait to open the boxes when they get to Georgia, and see what got packed in what box.
The garbage men will probably hate me when they come to do the bulk pick up later this week. But that is what they get paid to do, isn't it? Plus it is for the most part in Bin Bags, or boxes so it should make it easy for them. The only thing that I know right now that needs to still go out there is the dresser/wardrobe that Baby is sitting on, and I wont have Pat or William help me get that out until the last possible minute, so that she has a place to sit, that isn't the bedroom or bathroom floor.
Jerry, the kids, and Roo left today about 10 am for Georgia with the Trailblazer and trailer. Jerry called and left a message about 630 saying they had made it, stopped by the house dropped things off and were at Walmart picking up milk and such. I didn't get to talk to him because when I was sorting out the wires to the modem and such the phone came unplugged and I didn't realize it until it was getting late and I started worrying about them.
They got off to a late start today because when Jerry was working on the lights for the trailer yesterday afternoon he blew a fuse for the running lights of the trailer, and it was getting dark when he did it so he could not see it to fix it until this morning. Once he changed that out they were off.
The original (well about plan x or so really) plan was for them to take both of the dogs with them, and I would travel with just the birds. But Nik pointed out how squashed Tigger was going to be, if he went with them. So Tigger will travel with me and the birds. Right now he is in old dog heaven, getting spoiled by all of us left here. The first hour or so he wandered the house looking for the kids and the dogs, but once he realized that they were really gone and not about to jump out around a corner at him he has been enjoying himself I think. I am sure that he will be excited to see Roo and his Humans when we get to Georgia later in the week though.
William was a great help today getting everything sorted out some more. We worked in the garage, kitchen, and my room for about 3 hours I think sorting more, and throwing things away, can we say purge? I got rid of a bunch of my teacher stuff that I have had since college, that I haven't touched other than to move since college. I figure two trips across the ocean and three between houses (one each time here at Eglin, and once at the Heath) was enough, with me not using them. (now watch I will regret it, or I can hope at least that I get a job where I think, wow I wish I still had x,y or z that I just threw away). Then I went into the girls room and went through a lot of their clothes. I know that I told them to go through their clothes a while ago and to get rid of anything that was stained or did not fit, but I swear that I got rid of 4 big bin bags of clothes tonight, and probably could get rid of a bunch more if I had tried, or had them with me to make them try things on. Plus William helped me get the boxes that the movers packed last week when they were here into the dining room. They were in the way and driving me crazy. I couldn't see my floor in my bedroom because of the boxes, plus I couldn't get to the bathroom from one side of the room without going over the bed. Then there were boxes that they left in the hall between the living room and kitchen, and boxes in the living room. They were every where! I swear I hate military movers. I finished packing the one box that they left, just to get it out of the way. I can't wait to open the boxes when they get to Georgia, and see what got packed in what box.
The garbage men will probably hate me when they come to do the bulk pick up later this week. But that is what they get paid to do, isn't it? Plus it is for the most part in Bin Bags, or boxes so it should make it easy for them. The only thing that I know right now that needs to still go out there is the dresser/wardrobe that Baby is sitting on, and I wont have Pat or William help me get that out until the last possible minute, so that she has a place to sit, that isn't the bedroom or bathroom floor.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
And the stress goes on
and on and on and on....
Lets put it this way, the house is not getting packed up today, and shipped tomorrow. The movers came, started and then left saying that the guy that did the survey should have told me certain things that needed to be done. Like pulling stuff off the walls, out of cupboards etc.
The only thing he told me was that everything needed a place. He even told me to leave the stuff on the walls.
So once again when dealing with the Air Force the left hand does not know what the right is doing, and once again we are paying the price for the stupidity.
So now the people from TMO or somewhere will come out with them on Monday and do another walk through, then they will pack us the rest of the way (oh by the way they did most of the master bath, part of the kitchen, part of the living room before they quit, so we have boxes everywhere), and then they will ship it on Wednesday.
Jerry is calling tomorrow to make sure that I am able to sign the paperwork when they come on Monday so that he can take the kids, and dogs up to Georgia on Sunday and get them out of the way of the madness. Plus he will take the trailer with the stuff that we are taking up ourselves, so that will be out of the way as well.
Pat and Niki are putting their dogs into kennel starting tomorrow so that they are out from under everyone's feet as well.
Oh and it was my last day at Lowes in Crestview. Which is just more stress, because I don't know what I will be doing at the new store. I put in for a full time job with the store up in S. Warner Robins, and they were supposed to call me to do an interview for it, but they never did, and of course I thought we would be leaving this weekend, so the phone is being turned off Saturday.
Needless to say that this is just all more stress that I can't seem to handle today.
Lets put it this way, the house is not getting packed up today, and shipped tomorrow. The movers came, started and then left saying that the guy that did the survey should have told me certain things that needed to be done. Like pulling stuff off the walls, out of cupboards etc.
The only thing he told me was that everything needed a place. He even told me to leave the stuff on the walls.
So once again when dealing with the Air Force the left hand does not know what the right is doing, and once again we are paying the price for the stupidity.
So now the people from TMO or somewhere will come out with them on Monday and do another walk through, then they will pack us the rest of the way (oh by the way they did most of the master bath, part of the kitchen, part of the living room before they quit, so we have boxes everywhere), and then they will ship it on Wednesday.
Jerry is calling tomorrow to make sure that I am able to sign the paperwork when they come on Monday so that he can take the kids, and dogs up to Georgia on Sunday and get them out of the way of the madness. Plus he will take the trailer with the stuff that we are taking up ourselves, so that will be out of the way as well.
Pat and Niki are putting their dogs into kennel starting tomorrow so that they are out from under everyone's feet as well.
Oh and it was my last day at Lowes in Crestview. Which is just more stress, because I don't know what I will be doing at the new store. I put in for a full time job with the store up in S. Warner Robins, and they were supposed to call me to do an interview for it, but they never did, and of course I thought we would be leaving this weekend, so the phone is being turned off Saturday.
Needless to say that this is just all more stress that I can't seem to handle today.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
A Northwest Florida White Christmas, AKA One last trip to the beach
Today I had the day off of work from Lowes, and from teaching, so the kids and I decided that we needed to do one last trip to the beach before we move. We do not go down there very often, I think this summer we went twice.
It rained last night, and well its December so it was cool, but we went down to the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island and we had a good time. DJ did not want to go anywhere near the water, which is different, because last time we went he wanted to play play play. But it was all good, because we couldnt stay long, Jerry and the girls had plans on going to see the new National Treasure movie at the mall.
Living in Florida, the only way we get a white Christmas is to go to the white sand beaches. :) Maybe next Christmas there will be a white Christmas where ever we celebrate it. ;)
All of the pictures from today are here and the uploaded ones to flicker are in the following posts.
After DJ and I dropped the girls off to Jerry at the movie theater, we went on base to face the "weekend before Christmas" crowds. I was amazingly suprised. Considering that tomorrow is Christmas Eve, the BX and Commissary were not busy at all. Plus I managed to make it out of there with spending less the $200 on a few last minute gifts, and groceries for Christmas dinner. So not to bad all things considered.
It rained last night, and well its December so it was cool, but we went down to the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island and we had a good time. DJ did not want to go anywhere near the water, which is different, because last time we went he wanted to play play play. But it was all good, because we couldnt stay long, Jerry and the girls had plans on going to see the new National Treasure movie at the mall.
Living in Florida, the only way we get a white Christmas is to go to the white sand beaches. :) Maybe next Christmas there will be a white Christmas where ever we celebrate it. ;)
All of the pictures from today are here and the uploaded ones to flicker are in the following posts.
After DJ and I dropped the girls off to Jerry at the movie theater, we went on base to face the "weekend before Christmas" crowds. I was amazingly suprised. Considering that tomorrow is Christmas Eve, the BX and Commissary were not busy at all. Plus I managed to make it out of there with spending less the $200 on a few last minute gifts, and groceries for Christmas dinner. So not to bad all things considered.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Bad news, Good news, Better news
Ok I startd a post this morning wanting a skillet because the movers who were supposed to come and pack us out tomorrow and Thursday had not called to do a walk through, and when I called yesterday to check on things, they would not talk to me. So Jerry had orders to call them first thing this morning and find out what was going on. But the internet went out and then I got busy trying to get the house finished for them.
Jerry called a bit ago and said I have good news and bad news, which do you want first.
I told him the bad news, because that would make the good news seem even better.
Bad news:
The idiots at Keesler dropped the ball, again. They didn't send the moving company the paperwork until YESTERDAY! :cursing: Jerry made arrangements for the movers over a month ago! So now the movers can not come until the 27th and 28th. I have to work the 27th, or else I dont get paid for Christmas. The good side is that the movers can now move everything (washer and dryer mainly) that we were going to move ourselves so that we had them for the last 10 days or so.
ready for the good news?
Jerry found us a house! It is in contracted base housing, which means we pay utilities on it and they get our housing allowance though. But we can move in the 27th/28th (yeah he arranged that before he found out about the packers), and we can get the cable and internet set up right away. I know that the school that Kelsey will be going to is not the best in the county, but if we can get back on our feet and then sell the house here this summer we can hopefully get into a better school area over the summer.
Want the better news?
The finance people and personell people up at Robins said that Keesler should have amended Jerry's orders when he got there because the regulation that screwed us to begin with (the one that said the family had to move and that they wouldnt pay for him to live there), was changed before he actually got there back to the way it was before.
Sooooooo they are going to try to get us all of the back pay that they owe us, the money for his hotel bill, money for his food for every day, seperation pay (which I don't care about).
The guy Jerry talked to today did a rough guess and it was about $8,000 that they "owe" us. Just from his time in Mississippi.
So cross all of your crossables, pray to every being that you can pray to, because if they can pull it out it would go a LONG way in helping us out.
Jerry called a bit ago and said I have good news and bad news, which do you want first.
I told him the bad news, because that would make the good news seem even better.
Bad news:
The idiots at Keesler dropped the ball, again. They didn't send the moving company the paperwork until YESTERDAY! :cursing: Jerry made arrangements for the movers over a month ago! So now the movers can not come until the 27th and 28th. I have to work the 27th, or else I dont get paid for Christmas. The good side is that the movers can now move everything (washer and dryer mainly) that we were going to move ourselves so that we had them for the last 10 days or so.
ready for the good news?
Jerry found us a house! It is in contracted base housing, which means we pay utilities on it and they get our housing allowance though. But we can move in the 27th/28th (yeah he arranged that before he found out about the packers), and we can get the cable and internet set up right away. I know that the school that Kelsey will be going to is not the best in the county, but if we can get back on our feet and then sell the house here this summer we can hopefully get into a better school area over the summer.
Want the better news?
The finance people and personell people up at Robins said that Keesler should have amended Jerry's orders when he got there because the regulation that screwed us to begin with (the one that said the family had to move and that they wouldnt pay for him to live there), was changed before he actually got there back to the way it was before.
Sooooooo they are going to try to get us all of the back pay that they owe us, the money for his hotel bill, money for his food for every day, seperation pay (which I don't care about).
The guy Jerry talked to today did a rough guess and it was about $8,000 that they "owe" us. Just from his time in Mississippi.
So cross all of your crossables, pray to every being that you can pray to, because if they can pull it out it would go a LONG way in helping us out.
Monday, December 17, 2007
What makes a house a home
Today on Life Lessons of a Military Wife Veteran Military Wife poses the question, What makes a house a home?
I found this a very interesting topic, considering that we are getting ready to move and leave the very first house that we have ever called our very own. The money that we are putting into this house is all for us, not someone else. I think that this in itself makes this move doubly hard on all of us.
So I thought I would take this topic on tonight to help me remember what makes a house a home, is not the physical building that you are living in.
A home is where the heart is...
I know that this is such a cliche' but with as many moves as a military family does it is so true. A home to me is where my husband and children are, they are my heart. Be it here, or back in England, or in Georgia when we get there. We can make anything possible as long as we have eachother.
To make the house a home, it has to have a ton of family pictures every where. This is what kept my girls knowing what their extended family consisted of during our 8 years in the UK. Plus it reminds me on a daily basis of the fun that we have had living in the places that we have lived in. I have a wall dedicated to our family, a wall dedicated to our time in England, and I have pictures of all of our extended "family" (former students, friends etc) all over the house.
To make a house a home, having special momentos every where. We have paperweights from my grandmother's collection, and some of her furniture. These things remind me of all of the good times, and make me feel closer to her.
I found this a very interesting topic, considering that we are getting ready to move and leave the very first house that we have ever called our very own. The money that we are putting into this house is all for us, not someone else. I think that this in itself makes this move doubly hard on all of us.
So I thought I would take this topic on tonight to help me remember what makes a house a home, is not the physical building that you are living in.
A home is where the heart is...
I know that this is such a cliche' but with as many moves as a military family does it is so true. A home to me is where my husband and children are, they are my heart. Be it here, or back in England, or in Georgia when we get there. We can make anything possible as long as we have eachother.
To make the house a home, it has to have a ton of family pictures every where. This is what kept my girls knowing what their extended family consisted of during our 8 years in the UK. Plus it reminds me on a daily basis of the fun that we have had living in the places that we have lived in. I have a wall dedicated to our family, a wall dedicated to our time in England, and I have pictures of all of our extended "family" (former students, friends etc) all over the house.
To make a house a home, having special momentos every where. We have paperweights from my grandmother's collection, and some of her furniture. These things remind me of all of the good times, and make me feel closer to her.
Stress of moving
The stress of the move is getting to me, and I am not holding up to it very well today I am afraid. I have spent part of the day in tears, and the other part wanting to curl up in a corner and go to sleep.
First of all Jerry went up to Georgia yesterday to get checked in today. The past 6 months have not been kind to us finacially, between paying for Jerry's hotel room in Biloxi out of pocket, and my not having a teaching job this fall. We are quite frankly broke, heck we are beyond broke at this point. Which means he went north in the Prius on about a hundred bucks, and has to come home on that as well, and I had about the same to work with this week.
We are behind on every bill except the cars, the mortgage, and the insurance, and that is because those are all on automatic allotment with the military. Jerry went in and met with his first sargent as soon as he could today and told him everything that has happened to us, and where we are at money wise, because we are on the verge of him getting in trouble with the Air Force, even though they caused the problem. The way they look at it is that we should have been more prepared for the issue, and we were to an extent, but not to the 6 month extent. The first shirt was very nice and understanding, and is trying to help us as much as he can with helping Jerry find a house, and all that he can do on that end.
I went today and filled out the paperwork to be taken off the sub roles for the district, which seems funny to say since I haven't subbed in over a month. Admittedly that is because I have been working 30+ hour weeks at Lowes, with most of those hours during the week, but that was a definate. I could have changed my availablity to being available at night but that would mean giving up teaching online, which again isnt a promised number of hours a week.
I also went today and filled out the paperwork for the girls last days to be Thursday. At both schools I was told how much they were going to be missed, and what great kids they are, which we already knew, but it was nice to hear. (Of course this weekend I was willing to give Kelsey away, because she was having a teenage moment over the move).
When I was at the high school I was given some advice by one of the administrators. He said that I need to go up to Georgia and get on the sub list, then work every day that they call me for, and days that I am not working go in and volunteer at the girl's schools. He said that is the best way to get myself known at the schools, and that he knows I am a hard worker, because I proved it the days I subbed there, so I just need to prove it to the admins in Georgia. Which I know already, but I needed to hear it again to remind me that if I want to stay teaching I have to do something to make sure that I get offered a job for next fall. In order to do that I have to get my face and name known, and working full time at Lowes, or online is not going to accomplish that. Jerry's first shirt also told Jerry that he didn't think I would have a problem getting a job for the fall if I get out there and sub as soon as I can up there.
The only problem with this logic is that it isn't promised money coming in. Which means falling even further behind. So I am not sure that we can do it, especially since we will still have the mortgage here, and rent there, plus if I am working days we will have to pay for preschool/daycare for DJ. Which is why I went back to work at Lowes, because I had to have something to pay for preschool. Its a never ending battle.
Christmas this year is going to be small, which is fine with the move and really the kids don't need a big Christmas, but most definately makes me feel like a grinch or scrooge. I went to the Dollar Tree today and was able to get some small things for the kids to fill in the "gaps", there are still big holes, but at least they will be ok with what there is there.
First of all Jerry went up to Georgia yesterday to get checked in today. The past 6 months have not been kind to us finacially, between paying for Jerry's hotel room in Biloxi out of pocket, and my not having a teaching job this fall. We are quite frankly broke, heck we are beyond broke at this point. Which means he went north in the Prius on about a hundred bucks, and has to come home on that as well, and I had about the same to work with this week.
We are behind on every bill except the cars, the mortgage, and the insurance, and that is because those are all on automatic allotment with the military. Jerry went in and met with his first sargent as soon as he could today and told him everything that has happened to us, and where we are at money wise, because we are on the verge of him getting in trouble with the Air Force, even though they caused the problem. The way they look at it is that we should have been more prepared for the issue, and we were to an extent, but not to the 6 month extent. The first shirt was very nice and understanding, and is trying to help us as much as he can with helping Jerry find a house, and all that he can do on that end.
I went today and filled out the paperwork to be taken off the sub roles for the district, which seems funny to say since I haven't subbed in over a month. Admittedly that is because I have been working 30+ hour weeks at Lowes, with most of those hours during the week, but that was a definate. I could have changed my availablity to being available at night but that would mean giving up teaching online, which again isnt a promised number of hours a week.
I also went today and filled out the paperwork for the girls last days to be Thursday. At both schools I was told how much they were going to be missed, and what great kids they are, which we already knew, but it was nice to hear. (Of course this weekend I was willing to give Kelsey away, because she was having a teenage moment over the move).
When I was at the high school I was given some advice by one of the administrators. He said that I need to go up to Georgia and get on the sub list, then work every day that they call me for, and days that I am not working go in and volunteer at the girl's schools. He said that is the best way to get myself known at the schools, and that he knows I am a hard worker, because I proved it the days I subbed there, so I just need to prove it to the admins in Georgia. Which I know already, but I needed to hear it again to remind me that if I want to stay teaching I have to do something to make sure that I get offered a job for next fall. In order to do that I have to get my face and name known, and working full time at Lowes, or online is not going to accomplish that. Jerry's first shirt also told Jerry that he didn't think I would have a problem getting a job for the fall if I get out there and sub as soon as I can up there.
The only problem with this logic is that it isn't promised money coming in. Which means falling even further behind. So I am not sure that we can do it, especially since we will still have the mortgage here, and rent there, plus if I am working days we will have to pay for preschool/daycare for DJ. Which is why I went back to work at Lowes, because I had to have something to pay for preschool. Its a never ending battle.
Christmas this year is going to be small, which is fine with the move and really the kids don't need a big Christmas, but most definately makes me feel like a grinch or scrooge. I went to the Dollar Tree today and was able to get some small things for the kids to fill in the "gaps", there are still big holes, but at least they will be ok with what there is there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
