First, Rachel and Sydney are in NYC at Madison Square Garden watching Baylor play San Diego State in person for the NIT Final Four. I'm jealous. I have to settle for ESPN2. Well, at least it's being covered.
Second, I had a doctor's appointment yesterday (everything great--heartbeat 131), and I got back in two weeks and then again every week after that until baby girl is here.
Third, I love a good bargain. Twice a year, there's a group around here that holds a huge consignment sale called Kids Clothes Connection. I thought it was this next weekend, but it turns out that it started last weekend, so I went today after school. They had lots of good deals, but nothing I couldn't live without--yet, I still spent $11. I picked up a brand new Medela Harmony manual breast pump for $5 ($35 retail, I found out when I got home). I figured that $5 was worth it, just in case I can't afford the electric one I want any time soon (or just in case I really don't need the electric pump). I got a box of the microsteam cleaning bags for $3 (retail $7.75). And, being the bibliophile that I am, I had to browse their selection of children's books. So I picked up a hardcover children's book, Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young for the last $3 (retail $20). I picked it up because the the poems were selected by Jack Prelutsky (Children's Poet Laureate of the US), the book was illustrated by Marc Brown (of Arthur the Aardvark fame), and the introduction was written by Jim Trelease (author of the Read-Aloud Handbook). 3 for 3 on fantastic endorsements.
Fourth, my baby shower at work is next Wednesday after school. I'm trying to get Eli to come since he's never been to my school--doesn't even know where it is. And I figure that there's no harm in him meeting the people that I will only work with for two more days (at that point). Haha.
Fifth, Eli is leaving tomorrow at lunch time to go to Nashville to watch the US soccer team in a World Cup-qualifying match against Trinidad and Tobago. I'll have to get myself up on Thursday morning. I hope I'm not late to work!
Sixth, we should be hearing any day from the US Army. The succession board has already met, so they know who they picked, but they have not notified the future JAG officers. We are anxious to know one way or the other! Again, this is Eli's last chance with the Army. If that doesn't work out, he'll go ahead and interview in New Orleans with the Coast Guard at the beginning of May (and pray that I don't go into labor while he's six hours away).
Seventh, my husband is beautiful. I have just been in awe of him these last few weeks, even as he stresses over what the future hold for him. He's going to be a good daddy. I'm so excited for him. It's the little things that have made me stop and smile. The way he laughs while he's reading before bedtime. The way he kisses my belly in the morning and says good morning. The way he reaches for my hand during prayers at church. The way he unwittingly attracts the cats to nap on his lap. The way he's researched car seats and knows what he wants for our girl. The way he'll let himself get excited about Baylor basketball (and he's not really a basketball guy). The way he's concerned about his family and providing for us. He's beautiful.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is my smorgasbord of thoughts for tonight.
Sic' em, Bears! (We just beat San Diego State and are advancing to the NIT finals!)
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Baby Book
Okay, okay. I broke down today and bought a baby book. I looked through it first to make sure that it only covered one year, and that a majority of the information could be filled in pre-baby and new baby with only a few pages that would require some later updating.
The real reason I bought it was that it was on sale for six dollars. Yes, that's right. I got an Eric Carle baby book for six dollars. Could I really pass that up? There's a place in there for pictures of brothers and sisters. I told Eli we need to take pictures of Timmy and Coco and the baby and put them in those places. He told me I'm finally turning into the crazy cat lady.
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We got the book in the sale section at the BAM in Opelika while we were there purchasing dictionaries for the middle school with my purchase order. That was part of the purpose for being out. The other purpose was to head to Target to redeem my free Diet Dr. Pepper coupon, redeem my free 20 oz. Coke coupon, and update our baby registry. I finally added a crib and some strollers--the "urban assault" stroller and the "bivy" stroller (to use Eli's terminology for the large stroller with the cup holders and underseat storage, and for the basic umbrella stroller).
For all intents and purposes, we have what we basically need for the baby: a place to sleep for the first couple of months while we transition and move (thanks, Aunt Bonnie!), diapers and wipes and the various cleaning agents (shampoo, soap, lotion, diaper cream), an infant carseat, and some clothes to wear. Everything else is just the icing on the cupcake, the wants versus the needs.
Next Sunday, the ladies at church are having a baby shower for me. It's being hosted by the judge's wife and the pastor's wife. I think it will be a little like my bridal shower in Mobile where I don't know all the cute little old ladies, haha, but it will be fun. Pastor's wife told me she was feeling really self conscious about the invitations and she didn't want to give me one since she knows I'm a "card person"--I thought that was cute. She's only 2 or 3 years older than me, and she has a 1-year-old and an almost 3-year-old--both boys! She has her hands full. :) So, I was delighted that she wanted to have a shower for me.
In a final note, for those of you who may not have looked at my facebook status--I only have ten more teaching days left until maternity leave! And six of those days are state testing days. It's all downhill from here. :)
And a final image, this is Coco sitting on my baby bump when we got home from Target this evening. He's so comfortable there. Haha.
The real reason I bought it was that it was on sale for six dollars. Yes, that's right. I got an Eric Carle baby book for six dollars. Could I really pass that up? There's a place in there for pictures of brothers and sisters. I told Eli we need to take pictures of Timmy and Coco and the baby and put them in those places. He told me I'm finally turning into the crazy cat lady.
.jpg)
We got the book in the sale section at the BAM in Opelika while we were there purchasing dictionaries for the middle school with my purchase order. That was part of the purpose for being out. The other purpose was to head to Target to redeem my free Diet Dr. Pepper coupon, redeem my free 20 oz. Coke coupon, and update our baby registry. I finally added a crib and some strollers--the "urban assault" stroller and the "bivy" stroller (to use Eli's terminology for the large stroller with the cup holders and underseat storage, and for the basic umbrella stroller).
For all intents and purposes, we have what we basically need for the baby: a place to sleep for the first couple of months while we transition and move (thanks, Aunt Bonnie!), diapers and wipes and the various cleaning agents (shampoo, soap, lotion, diaper cream), an infant carseat, and some clothes to wear. Everything else is just the icing on the cupcake, the wants versus the needs.
Next Sunday, the ladies at church are having a baby shower for me. It's being hosted by the judge's wife and the pastor's wife. I think it will be a little like my bridal shower in Mobile where I don't know all the cute little old ladies, haha, but it will be fun. Pastor's wife told me she was feeling really self conscious about the invitations and she didn't want to give me one since she knows I'm a "card person"--I thought that was cute. She's only 2 or 3 years older than me, and she has a 1-year-old and an almost 3-year-old--both boys! She has her hands full. :) So, I was delighted that she wanted to have a shower for me.
In a final note, for those of you who may not have looked at my facebook status--I only have ten more teaching days left until maternity leave! And six of those days are state testing days. It's all downhill from here. :)
And a final image, this is Coco sitting on my baby bump when we got home from Target this evening. He's so comfortable there. Haha.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Go Bears!
So we woke up Saturday and got our act together in time to watch the Baylor men's basketball game on TV. Eli informed me before the game that should Baylor win, they would be coming to Auburn on Tuesday. Baylor won. We started planning. :)
Today at work, someone gave Eli free tickets to the game, saving us $20 plus concessions, since they were Scholarship seats. And if you'll remember back to October when we had Scholarship tickets to the Auburn/Arkansas football game, Scholarship seat come with...you guessed it...FREE FOOD! Unfortunately, the free food wasn't all that good, but we did get popcorn, drinks, cookies, and chips.
And, we were the only Baylor fans in our section, which was right behind the Baylor bench, which was awesome (we were five rows up from the floor). It was a good game. The couple on the other side of Eli was friendly. The husband told me that he was an OB just in case I needed him (excitement, etc.). That was reassuring. Haha. And the lady to the right of me wanted to chat about raising children in this area. Very pleasant.
And with much fanfare (and baby jumping around like a bean--my little Baylor fan) and some heart-stopping moments, Baylor beat Auburn. We went outside and since traffic was bad, decided to wait on the team to come out. I ran into a teacher I worked with in Tuscaloosa (who is now retired and living the life in Auburn), and also ran into the parents/in-laws of some of my friends from Baylor--Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius, for those of you who know Matt and Kayla!--who just happened to be in Opelika (from Dallas) this week doing some genealogical research and decided to come to the game when they saw Baylor was in town. It's a small world!
And, of course, we shook hands with some players--Josh Lomers (7'0"), Mamadou Dienne (7'1"), Anthony Jones (6'10"), and Tweety Carter (5'11")--before we headed home. One of the suits Baylor brought with them mentioned that he had seen us sitting in the middle of the Auburn fans. That was pretty funny.
Today was tacky day at school so I wore a too-tight-over-my-belly Baylor t-shirt with some other hideous elements. And I didn't have to work at Sylvan (told them I had something that came up--which is true of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity). So it was, overall, a very good day.
Now if the Lady Bears could just take down those Jackrabbits.
Today at work, someone gave Eli free tickets to the game, saving us $20 plus concessions, since they were Scholarship seats. And if you'll remember back to October when we had Scholarship tickets to the Auburn/Arkansas football game, Scholarship seat come with...you guessed it...FREE FOOD! Unfortunately, the free food wasn't all that good, but we did get popcorn, drinks, cookies, and chips.
And, we were the only Baylor fans in our section, which was right behind the Baylor bench, which was awesome (we were five rows up from the floor). It was a good game. The couple on the other side of Eli was friendly. The husband told me that he was an OB just in case I needed him (excitement, etc.). That was reassuring. Haha. And the lady to the right of me wanted to chat about raising children in this area. Very pleasant.
And with much fanfare (and baby jumping around like a bean--my little Baylor fan) and some heart-stopping moments, Baylor beat Auburn. We went outside and since traffic was bad, decided to wait on the team to come out. I ran into a teacher I worked with in Tuscaloosa (who is now retired and living the life in Auburn), and also ran into the parents/in-laws of some of my friends from Baylor--Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius, for those of you who know Matt and Kayla!--who just happened to be in Opelika (from Dallas) this week doing some genealogical research and decided to come to the game when they saw Baylor was in town. It's a small world!
And, of course, we shook hands with some players--Josh Lomers (7'0"), Mamadou Dienne (7'1"), Anthony Jones (6'10"), and Tweety Carter (5'11")--before we headed home. One of the suits Baylor brought with them mentioned that he had seen us sitting in the middle of the Auburn fans. That was pretty funny.
Today was tacky day at school so I wore a too-tight-over-my-belly Baylor t-shirt with some other hideous elements. And I didn't have to work at Sylvan (told them I had something that came up--which is true of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity). So it was, overall, a very good day.
Now if the Lady Bears could just take down those Jackrabbits.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Just the one?
What a good weekend. The weather has been wonderful all week, and we have been getting in our walks pretty much daily, if not every other day. Yesterday we went for a walk to the library, dropping off our movie at the dollar rental machine on the way, spending some time reading library books, and then stopping by Sonic during Happy Hour on the way back to get some Power-Ade. We walked about 2 miles round trip. It was nice. Makes me eager to be able to run again.
Eli has been wonderful. I don't know how else to say it. He's been helping out with more than his share of housework. He is the one who drives when we go anywhere, and he waits for me as it takes extra time for me to get out of the car. He waits for me to come to a stopping point in my book before going to sleep so that I don't have to reach up awkwardly to turn out the bedroom light. He's been making breakfast, lunch, and dinner (even though he makes me eat mustard greens!). And he's just been so forgiving of my lack of energy. He reaches out to help me stand up or sit up and to step off the curb. It's nice to be cared for.
Oh, yeah. We went to East Alabama Medical Center today to tour the Labor and Delivery unit. It was nice. Nothing to complain about. The nurse that showed us around was very helpful.
So, let me share a funny with you before I go pick up my housework slack. We had to run some errands this afternoon and stopped at Subway in the gas station near Eli's work while we were out. We ordered a footlong sandwich to share. The guy at the counter said, "Just the one sandwich?" I teased him, "Why, do you think I look like I need two?" He turned red, and his co-workers started laughing at him. It was funny.
Eli has been wonderful. I don't know how else to say it. He's been helping out with more than his share of housework. He is the one who drives when we go anywhere, and he waits for me as it takes extra time for me to get out of the car. He waits for me to come to a stopping point in my book before going to sleep so that I don't have to reach up awkwardly to turn out the bedroom light. He's been making breakfast, lunch, and dinner (even though he makes me eat mustard greens!). And he's just been so forgiving of my lack of energy. He reaches out to help me stand up or sit up and to step off the curb. It's nice to be cared for.
Oh, yeah. We went to East Alabama Medical Center today to tour the Labor and Delivery unit. It was nice. Nothing to complain about. The nurse that showed us around was very helpful.
So, let me share a funny with you before I go pick up my housework slack. We had to run some errands this afternoon and stopped at Subway in the gas station near Eli's work while we were out. We ordered a footlong sandwich to share. The guy at the counter said, "Just the one sandwich?" I teased him, "Why, do you think I look like I need two?" He turned red, and his co-workers started laughing at him. It was funny.
Friday, March 20, 2009
More good news!
First, I wanted to say happy spring! I'm so glad it's here. I was delighted to open up the google homepage today and see the Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar-inspired theme for bringing in the new season. Did you see it?
So, onto this good news. I told you I went to the doctor on Monday. it had been a while since I had my thyroid checked, so the doctor ordered blood work and the nurse called me on Tuesday with the results--10.09! I told her I didn't think that was plausible, and she said the OB suggested I go to my family practitioner for follow-up (since he doesn't want to deal with anything but baby).
For those of you with thyroids that work, you probably have no idea what any of this means, so let me start by sharing with you the thyroid is checked by measuring the amounts of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the bloodstream. The higher the number, the less effective your thyroid is at producing its own hormone, thus making you hypothyroid if the number is consistently out of range. So, to compensate, people who are hypothyroid have to take a generic thyroid replacement hormone in order to feel "normal". Most labs register the normal TSH range as .5-5.0, but endocrinologists now recommend .3-3.0 as normal.
Anyway, I feel most normal between 2 and 3 and have been cruising at this TSH level for the past 3 years or so. When my thyroid is out of whack, I can definitely feel it--I'm tired and lethargic, my hair falls out, I become forgetful, and I have the worst dry skin imaginable. Last November when I had my thyroid last checked, the number was in the high 4s and so I requested that for the duration of my pregnancy that they up my dosage of thyroid hormone to the next level. They did so, and I felt fine.
So, imagine my surprise when the nurse called and said 10.09! This is, hands down, the highest my TSH has ever been. Eli and I just had a conversation about how my hair isn't falling out and my skin is looking so much better. If my TSH were really that high, I would have expected to sleep 12 hours a night and have trouble getting out of bed. I would be living in a thick fog. But I'm not, and therefore confused and concerned.
I went to my family practitioner yesterday afternoon to have them do a separate blood draw and went back for a follow-up today. The doctor came in with the results and asked, "Now, why are you here again?" I explained to her what happened, and she looked at my strangely because my values were all normal. In fact, the TSH was 2 something. And there is no way that the TSH can fluctuate like that in a matter of days.
So, I'm normal. No worries. I'm especially relieved because hypothyroidism can cause preterm labor when not monitored. It can also cause low IQ in the baby. I was about to have a guilt trip about not having it checked sooner, and then probably go on to worry, worry, worry about the consequences. But, thankfully, I really am as in tune with my body as I think I am. This is good news, indeed.
So, onto this good news. I told you I went to the doctor on Monday. it had been a while since I had my thyroid checked, so the doctor ordered blood work and the nurse called me on Tuesday with the results--10.09! I told her I didn't think that was plausible, and she said the OB suggested I go to my family practitioner for follow-up (since he doesn't want to deal with anything but baby).
For those of you with thyroids that work, you probably have no idea what any of this means, so let me start by sharing with you the thyroid is checked by measuring the amounts of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the bloodstream. The higher the number, the less effective your thyroid is at producing its own hormone, thus making you hypothyroid if the number is consistently out of range. So, to compensate, people who are hypothyroid have to take a generic thyroid replacement hormone in order to feel "normal". Most labs register the normal TSH range as .5-5.0, but endocrinologists now recommend .3-3.0 as normal.
Anyway, I feel most normal between 2 and 3 and have been cruising at this TSH level for the past 3 years or so. When my thyroid is out of whack, I can definitely feel it--I'm tired and lethargic, my hair falls out, I become forgetful, and I have the worst dry skin imaginable. Last November when I had my thyroid last checked, the number was in the high 4s and so I requested that for the duration of my pregnancy that they up my dosage of thyroid hormone to the next level. They did so, and I felt fine.
So, imagine my surprise when the nurse called and said 10.09! This is, hands down, the highest my TSH has ever been. Eli and I just had a conversation about how my hair isn't falling out and my skin is looking so much better. If my TSH were really that high, I would have expected to sleep 12 hours a night and have trouble getting out of bed. I would be living in a thick fog. But I'm not, and therefore confused and concerned.
I went to my family practitioner yesterday afternoon to have them do a separate blood draw and went back for a follow-up today. The doctor came in with the results and asked, "Now, why are you here again?" I explained to her what happened, and she looked at my strangely because my values were all normal. In fact, the TSH was 2 something. And there is no way that the TSH can fluctuate like that in a matter of days.
So, I'm normal. No worries. I'm especially relieved because hypothyroidism can cause preterm labor when not monitored. It can also cause low IQ in the baby. I was about to have a guilt trip about not having it checked sooner, and then probably go on to worry, worry, worry about the consequences. But, thankfully, I really am as in tune with my body as I think I am. This is good news, indeed.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Some good news!
Remember that snow day we had? Because of that snow day, everyone has to go to school one day longer, which means teachers have to come back after the Memorial Day holiday. Prior to this, I was only going to use up 25 days of sick leave for my early maternity leave. As a result of this, I had to file an amended maternity leave request to reflect 26 days instead. No biggie. But, when I asked about when I would receive a copy of the approved request (since another teacher told me that she never received a copy of hers and just left on her requested date--on a wing and a prayer), the HR woman's response was that the board would have to re-approve my request with the new numbers.
Did you catch that?
RE-APPROVE.
That means that my initial request had to have been approved in the first place! As far as I'm concerned, this is official notification that I'm good to go on the afternoon of April 10, especially since I'm not modifying the start date of my leave! So now I just have to get my lesson plans together. Whoo-hoo!!!
And that's my good news.
And my "bad" news (haha) is that the Beaver side of the family is now reading my blog. That means I have to watch what I say. :) Okay, so it's my husband's sister-in-law (so, mine too?) who is a Beaver-by-marriage like myself, and we're pretty much both floating in the same boat. That is, we don't konw the inside jokes and silly songs that the whole Beaver clan breaks into when one person is reminded of something from their childhood. And, we don't reminisce about life at ASMS. And we smile and nod (and make commiserating faces at each other when they're not looking) as they go on and on about topics about which they are "expert". I'm mostly referring to the husbands when I say "they". Mostly. Teehee.
Indeed, Steph. It's good to have you in my world.
Did you catch that?
RE-APPROVE.
That means that my initial request had to have been approved in the first place! As far as I'm concerned, this is official notification that I'm good to go on the afternoon of April 10, especially since I'm not modifying the start date of my leave! So now I just have to get my lesson plans together. Whoo-hoo!!!
And that's my good news.
And my "bad" news (haha) is that the Beaver side of the family is now reading my blog. That means I have to watch what I say. :) Okay, so it's my husband's sister-in-law (so, mine too?) who is a Beaver-by-marriage like myself, and we're pretty much both floating in the same boat. That is, we don't konw the inside jokes and silly songs that the whole Beaver clan breaks into when one person is reminded of something from their childhood. And, we don't reminisce about life at ASMS. And we smile and nod (and make commiserating faces at each other when they're not looking) as they go on and on about topics about which they are "expert". I'm mostly referring to the husbands when I say "they". Mostly. Teehee.
Indeed, Steph. It's good to have you in my world.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Doing the 100 Swagbucks dance!
Today is a happy day for me, as I have reached to 100 swagbucks mark, and I have learned a few things about how referrals work. First of all, I have earned 88 of those swagbucks just from searching. The other twelve came from refer-ees (5) and swagcodes (7). And based on Misty's post, my refer-er, she only has credit for 88 of my swagbucks, so that means that if you sign up under me, swagbucks will only match the first 100 swagbucks that you earn from searching (so get searching!), but not from your personal referrals and swagcodes. I had wondered about that. :) So I have 12 more bucks to get from searching before Misty maxes me out. Hahah.
So, if you haven't signed up now, there is a sweet deal going on. First of all, if you use my link to sign up, you start out with 3 swagbucks for free from the website itself. And, if you sign up before Wednesday, you can use the swagcode MONEYSAVINGMETHODS (all caps, all smushed together) and get two more free swagbucks. That's just for new members, so take advantage. It only takes 45 swagbucks to get a $5 amazon.com gift card, so that would leave you with only 40 left to earn before you get your reward (if that's what you choose). If you've signed up an haven't used it, get using it--help me help Baby Beaver!
So that's my plug for today.
FYI: MoneySavingMethods is the blog where Misty found the information on the diapers.
And we went to the doctor today for 32-week checkup and Baby Beaver is right on track with a heart rate of 141. It's raining, and we have dinner plans tonight with a couple (due around the same time as we are) who stood us up after church yesterday. I've never met them, but Eli knows the husband from court. So, we'll see how that goes. Childbirth classes were canceled for tonight since our instructor is sick, and I'm grateful for her thoughtfulness. Four weeks left until maternity leave! I'm so pumped!
So, if you haven't signed up now, there is a sweet deal going on. First of all, if you use my link to sign up, you start out with 3 swagbucks for free from the website itself. And, if you sign up before Wednesday, you can use the swagcode MONEYSAVINGMETHODS (all caps, all smushed together) and get two more free swagbucks. That's just for new members, so take advantage. It only takes 45 swagbucks to get a $5 amazon.com gift card, so that would leave you with only 40 left to earn before you get your reward (if that's what you choose). If you've signed up an haven't used it, get using it--help me help Baby Beaver!
So that's my plug for today.
FYI: MoneySavingMethods is the blog where Misty found the information on the diapers.
And we went to the doctor today for 32-week checkup and Baby Beaver is right on track with a heart rate of 141. It's raining, and we have dinner plans tonight with a couple (due around the same time as we are) who stood us up after church yesterday. I've never met them, but Eli knows the husband from court. So, we'll see how that goes. Childbirth classes were canceled for tonight since our instructor is sick, and I'm grateful for her thoughtfulness. Four weeks left until maternity leave! I'm so pumped!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Big belly big belly big belly
So, with my new memory card I was able to have Eli take a belly pic. So, here I am, bad hair and all, at 31.5 weeks (Tuesday will be 32 weeks):
The shirt is one I bought with the gift card my mom gave me (Thanks, Mom!) for Motherhood Maternity, and is coincidentally one of my favorites. First, it makes me look "cute very pregnant" with a basketball-esque belly and not "huge very pregnant" with an unnatural growth inside that tight shirt. It also complements my newly acquired bosom.
Compare this pic to me, 16 weeks ago in November (the only other belly picture I have):
Are we happy now?
The shirt is one I bought with the gift card my mom gave me (Thanks, Mom!) for Motherhood Maternity, and is coincidentally one of my favorites. First, it makes me look "cute very pregnant" with a basketball-esque belly and not "huge very pregnant" with an unnatural growth inside that tight shirt. It also complements my newly acquired bosom.
Compare this pic to me, 16 weeks ago in November (the only other belly picture I have):
Are we happy now?
Diaper Bonanza!
Okay, okay. I think it's time that somebody reign me in, because I'm about to lose my mind! We've decided to stock up on diapers any time we can find them on super sale while we still have money (haha). So earlier this week or last, my friend Misty, the same one who got me stuck on swagbucks (and has almost earned her 100 swagbucks for referring me!) posted about a deal on Huggies she had seen on one of her favorite money-saving websites. This, of course piqued my interest, so I decided that today was going to be the day that I took advantage of the offer. So, here's what happened:
Walgreens has Huggies on sale for $10 jumbo packs this week (usually $12.49, sale ending today). They also have register rewards if you buy $25 worth of Kimberly-Clark products. And, coupons.com has a manufacturer $5 off coupon for Huggies this time around, maximum of two per computer, so I printed 2 from my school computer and 2 from home. AND, another website called Caregivers Marketplace gives a $.75 rebate for each package of Huggies you purchsae (minimum of 5 before redemption). So, this is how the chips fell:
At Walgreens, I purchased five packs of Huggies at $10 a pop: $50
Plus, I redeemed my four $5 coupons: $50-$20=$30
Minus the $20 in Walgreens Register Rewards for buying Kimberly-Clark: $30-$20=$10
Minus the Caregivers Marketplace rebates on all 5 packages: $10-$3.75=$6.25
So, that comes out to...
$1.25 per jumbo package of Huggies.
Imagine if I had had one more of those $5 off coupons! I would have gotten the diapers for $.25 a piece! But, I'm happy with the price I got. Very nice.
I was also able to stock up on another Kimberly-Clark product--Kleenex (which, if anyone is going to use Kleenex, it's me)--and buy a new 1 gigabyte memory card for my camera since they were on sale. So expect some pictures coming soon. I promise.
Well, I'm about to get ready to go to a wedding that was supposed to be outside, but since it's rainy and overcast today was moved inside. Maybe tomorrow I'll tell you about the deal I found for diapers on Amazon.com. I'm a sale junkie. It's hard being me.
Walgreens has Huggies on sale for $10 jumbo packs this week (usually $12.49, sale ending today). They also have register rewards if you buy $25 worth of Kimberly-Clark products. And, coupons.com has a manufacturer $5 off coupon for Huggies this time around, maximum of two per computer, so I printed 2 from my school computer and 2 from home. AND, another website called Caregivers Marketplace gives a $.75 rebate for each package of Huggies you purchsae (minimum of 5 before redemption). So, this is how the chips fell:
At Walgreens, I purchased five packs of Huggies at $10 a pop: $50
Plus, I redeemed my four $5 coupons: $50-$20=$30
Minus the $20 in Walgreens Register Rewards for buying Kimberly-Clark: $30-$20=$10
Minus the Caregivers Marketplace rebates on all 5 packages: $10-$3.75=$6.25
So, that comes out to...
$1.25 per jumbo package of Huggies.
Imagine if I had had one more of those $5 off coupons! I would have gotten the diapers for $.25 a piece! But, I'm happy with the price I got. Very nice.
I was also able to stock up on another Kimberly-Clark product--Kleenex (which, if anyone is going to use Kleenex, it's me)--and buy a new 1 gigabyte memory card for my camera since they were on sale. So expect some pictures coming soon. I promise.
Well, I'm about to get ready to go to a wedding that was supposed to be outside, but since it's rainy and overcast today was moved inside. Maybe tomorrow I'll tell you about the deal I found for diapers on Amazon.com. I'm a sale junkie. It's hard being me.
Friday, March 13, 2009
AAAH! Where has the time gone?
So, if you're going from date to date, we have (approximately) TWO MONTHS until Baby Beaver is here! I can't believe it. It's going to go quickly, but it's also going to be a long two months of more and more discomfort and more frequent potty stops (as I'm already going every 2 hours at the longest).
And, the 13th of the month reminds me of the upcoming 30th birthday. I told Eli last night that I'm just going to have to throw myself a birthday party and invite people over to commiserate, I mean, celebrate with me (and help pack?).
We turned a corner yesterday. The grocery store near our house, the only one with expectant mother parking, is closing, and Eli went last night and bought what he could from what's left on the bare shelves at 40-60% off. He came home with diapers! This just makes the impending arrival of Baby Beaver even more terrifying! But it also made me happy. It's becoming more and more real as we get more and more prepared. :)
And, the 13th of the month reminds me of the upcoming 30th birthday. I told Eli last night that I'm just going to have to throw myself a birthday party and invite people over to commiserate, I mean, celebrate with me (and help pack?).
We turned a corner yesterday. The grocery store near our house, the only one with expectant mother parking, is closing, and Eli went last night and bought what he could from what's left on the bare shelves at 40-60% off. He came home with diapers! This just makes the impending arrival of Baby Beaver even more terrifying! But it also made me happy. It's becoming more and more real as we get more and more prepared. :)
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
What's the sitch?
I feel like I've been griping about school a lot, so I'm sorry, and I thank you for bearing with me. Believe it or not, in many ways this teaching situation is much better than the one I left. I know--you don't believe me, but it's true! Mr. Principal really is a good man who the kids fear and respect. Unfortunately, the gist of all these stories that I share with you is that he thinks he's doing them a favor. He sees himself as Joe Clark (Morgan Freeman in the movie Lean on Me), but after 35 years in the school system is no longer serving his student population effectively for this decade (millenium?). Did I tell you about the time when he lectured me about the emotional baggage these students bring to school and about how most of them come from families that never even considered college as an option (let alone graduating high school)? I felt like he was telling me these things because he thinks I don't know, and he thinks I'm out of touch. I was a little offended, but mostly because I feel like he's the one who is out of touch--with what these children need in order to succeed! But as some of you said, I will continue to keep fighting the good fight. At least until April 10.
Also, some of you have been asking for updates on the job situation. So, here's the sitch: Eli has put in applications with the Army and Coast Guard and is waiting...and waiting. He has also applied in double digit quantities to government positions, and, you guessed it, is also waiting. He is now starting to look around locally. Any of the first two categories would most likely take us out of the state of Alabama come summer time. The last category would keep us here for the next eight years. Why? Well, because if he doesn't get hired with the Army, Coast Guard, or other government agency, Eli is planning to join up with the Alabama National Guard as a weekend warrior lawyer. There is currently an opening in Montgomery and he has been assured that should he apply, he will be accepted.
Whether or not I go back to work next year really just depends on Eli's job situation. Entirely. So, right now it's a game of wait and see. But mostly, it's a discipline of seeking God's will and having the patience and perseverence and quietude to discern what that will is. Please pray for us as we work our way through this adventure.
Cheers.
Also, some of you have been asking for updates on the job situation. So, here's the sitch: Eli has put in applications with the Army and Coast Guard and is waiting...and waiting. He has also applied in double digit quantities to government positions, and, you guessed it, is also waiting. He is now starting to look around locally. Any of the first two categories would most likely take us out of the state of Alabama come summer time. The last category would keep us here for the next eight years. Why? Well, because if he doesn't get hired with the Army, Coast Guard, or other government agency, Eli is planning to join up with the Alabama National Guard as a weekend warrior lawyer. There is currently an opening in Montgomery and he has been assured that should he apply, he will be accepted.
Whether or not I go back to work next year really just depends on Eli's job situation. Entirely. So, right now it's a game of wait and see. But mostly, it's a discipline of seeking God's will and having the patience and perseverence and quietude to discern what that will is. Please pray for us as we work our way through this adventure.
Cheers.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I. KNOW. HE. DIDN'T.
Oh, but he did.
Mr. Principal sent out a memo today about classroom management, telling everyone that we needed to step it up on our classroom management because the kids are too loud. They should come in and go directly to their assigned seats (which they don't really have since he decided to split the boy/girls up last week). They should immediately get out their materials and get to work (*keep this point in mind). They should raise their hands to speak. They should stay in their seats unless they have permission to be up. Blah blah blah. All stuff we know and try to do, except that he undermines what we're doing. For EXAMPLE:
In front of my class today, he came in and told them that their textbooks should be back on the shelves and that now is the time to take it easy. Why, he never taught in March, April, or May. Thus implying that neither should the teachers that work for him. Really.
And then he told them that they don't need to be able to read and write to go on to high school. They just need to sit quietly most of the time and do a few presentations to get by. And he suggested some projects that we could do where they would get 75% of their grade for dressing the part and 25% for content. Really. I'm afraid I can't make this stuff up.
So, they're supposed to come in and get their materials out and get to work, but they're supposed to be taking it easy? And the teachers are not supposed to be teaching? So...what exactly is supposed to be happening in the classroom for the next three months? And if there's no work to be done, why on earth should they obey and stay in their plastic, uncomfortable seats? And what exactly are they raising their hands for?
I'm baffled. I'm frustrated. But mostly I'm glad that I'm pregnant. April 20 (but really April 10) will not come soon enough. I feel sorry for whoever will be my substitute will be for those last 5 weeks.
Mr. Principal sent out a memo today about classroom management, telling everyone that we needed to step it up on our classroom management because the kids are too loud. They should come in and go directly to their assigned seats (which they don't really have since he decided to split the boy/girls up last week). They should immediately get out their materials and get to work (*keep this point in mind). They should raise their hands to speak. They should stay in their seats unless they have permission to be up. Blah blah blah. All stuff we know and try to do, except that he undermines what we're doing. For EXAMPLE:
In front of my class today, he came in and told them that their textbooks should be back on the shelves and that now is the time to take it easy. Why, he never taught in March, April, or May. Thus implying that neither should the teachers that work for him. Really.
And then he told them that they don't need to be able to read and write to go on to high school. They just need to sit quietly most of the time and do a few presentations to get by. And he suggested some projects that we could do where they would get 75% of their grade for dressing the part and 25% for content. Really. I'm afraid I can't make this stuff up.
So, they're supposed to come in and get their materials out and get to work, but they're supposed to be taking it easy? And the teachers are not supposed to be teaching? So...what exactly is supposed to be happening in the classroom for the next three months? And if there's no work to be done, why on earth should they obey and stay in their plastic, uncomfortable seats? And what exactly are they raising their hands for?
I'm baffled. I'm frustrated. But mostly I'm glad that I'm pregnant. April 20 (but really April 10) will not come soon enough. I feel sorry for whoever will be my substitute will be for those last 5 weeks.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Busy Weekend
Eli and I went up to Tuscaloosa this weekend to visit friends and to watch some Alabama softball. The star center fielder for Bama, #8 Brittany Rogers, was a student teacher on my team last year, so I e-mailed her and asked if she had tickets for this weekend. She was happy to oblige. She's so cute. It was also a bonus that Baylor was playing in the tournament, so we got to see both of our favorite teams. We both wore Baylor shirts and Bama hats. The second game of the afternoon pitted the two teams against each other and there were times when I was extremely conflicted.
We went out to lunch with my teacher friends and little sister and stayed the night with our pastor and his wife. This morning at church they had a surprise baby shower for us during Sunday school. It was so sweet. We also sang in the choir again, and then Brother Larry called on Eli to lead the congregation in the benediction. After church we went over to Shelly's house and had lunch with her family, and then we drove to B'ham to hang out with the bro-and-sis-in-law before driving back home.
Our poor kitties missed us. Poor little guys. They're so cute. I missed them, too. At one point on the drive home, when Eli was asleep in the passenger seat, there was a dog that had been hit by a car laying on the side of the road and his twin companion sat nearby just looking forlornly at his fallen companion. I cried for the next 30-40 miles. I was anxious to get home to my own furry companions.
And now I'm home and am tired of being in the car. We started thank-you notes, but really it's time for bed. I don't want to go to school this week, but what else is new? And since we weren't here to change the clocks last night, I keep looking up at the wrong time and don't realize how late it really is. Time to sleep!
We went out to lunch with my teacher friends and little sister and stayed the night with our pastor and his wife. This morning at church they had a surprise baby shower for us during Sunday school. It was so sweet. We also sang in the choir again, and then Brother Larry called on Eli to lead the congregation in the benediction. After church we went over to Shelly's house and had lunch with her family, and then we drove to B'ham to hang out with the bro-and-sis-in-law before driving back home.
Our poor kitties missed us. Poor little guys. They're so cute. I missed them, too. At one point on the drive home, when Eli was asleep in the passenger seat, there was a dog that had been hit by a car laying on the side of the road and his twin companion sat nearby just looking forlornly at his fallen companion. I cried for the next 30-40 miles. I was anxious to get home to my own furry companions.
And now I'm home and am tired of being in the car. We started thank-you notes, but really it's time for bed. I don't want to go to school this week, but what else is new? And since we weren't here to change the clocks last night, I keep looking up at the wrong time and don't realize how late it really is. Time to sleep!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Neurosis has a certain charm
Yes, Stacey, I am neurotic, but I think it keeps me sane. And it saves me money on therapy. I just work through stuff my own way. :)
I have been thinking a lot lately about the path my life has taken. I'm almost thirty years old, have been married for nearly six years (together for 8.5), and am about to have my first baby. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Eli and I have had a fantastic six years of marriage, just the two of us. Not all of it was easy, but most of it was. As I've said before, I am blessed. And loved.
So I'm a late bloomer (I mean, I didn't get married at 19, did I?) and remember a time when "everyone is getting married"...except me. I dragged Eli to many, many of my friends' weddings. I was okay with not jumping on that bandwagon, though. And the two years I spent in Austin were probably the best spent two years of my life, getting to know "me" before "me" became "us".
I would tick off the years, saying, gee, Mom had done whatever by now. Mom was done having kids by 26, married 7 years. At that age, I had no kids and had only been married 2 years. Mom had a ten year old by the time she was my current age. I'm just starting out and can't imagine having a preteen right now. So, you see, I feel like the pattern-shirker in the family. Not that people gave up on me. [Don't tell me if you did.] I just wasn't following in any path that had been previously forged. What can I say? I'm a pioneer. Mom said she would joke about pulling out pictures of her family to show off, showing Stacey and David and their two beautiful kiddos, Julie and her large, photogenic doggie, and then Erin and Eli and their...college degrees [weirdos]. Again, yes, I'm neurotic.
So, onto this baby thing. I felt like a pioneer for a while. Oh, for about 10 minutes. Maybe I'm just to this point in my life (and perhaps I'm not really a late bloomer after all) but EVERYBODY'S having babies! I hear it's good for the continuation of the species. And several of my friends, new and old, are having their first babies. I suspect people have been having babies all along (haha) but I wasn't really attuned to it. It was easier to say "except me." Now it's like every day I have a baby update to share with Eli. This person is having a baby, too! What a novelty! How coincidental! Can you believe it? He smiles and nods, humoring me in this time of extra-estrogenal-sensory.
So, maybe I'm back on track after all. And I'm happy that all my friends are having babies (first, second, third, whichever in line) because it means for me as a teacher that in a decade or so, we're going to have a crop of well-parented middle school students. Thank you, friends, for doing the responsible thing and reproducing!
Especial congrats to my pregnant pals, my fellow bandwagoneers, if you will: Jennifer from college, Kerry from college, Jeni from college, Mary Kathryn from church/theatre, Erin from my first job/church, Kelly from church in Hewitt, Deana from church in Hewitt, Amanda from high school, other Amanda from high school, Laurie from high school, and anyone else I missed.
See what I mean? EVERYONE.
I have been thinking a lot lately about the path my life has taken. I'm almost thirty years old, have been married for nearly six years (together for 8.5), and am about to have my first baby. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Eli and I have had a fantastic six years of marriage, just the two of us. Not all of it was easy, but most of it was. As I've said before, I am blessed. And loved.
So I'm a late bloomer (I mean, I didn't get married at 19, did I?) and remember a time when "everyone is getting married"...except me. I dragged Eli to many, many of my friends' weddings. I was okay with not jumping on that bandwagon, though. And the two years I spent in Austin were probably the best spent two years of my life, getting to know "me" before "me" became "us".
I would tick off the years, saying, gee, Mom had done whatever by now. Mom was done having kids by 26, married 7 years. At that age, I had no kids and had only been married 2 years. Mom had a ten year old by the time she was my current age. I'm just starting out and can't imagine having a preteen right now. So, you see, I feel like the pattern-shirker in the family. Not that people gave up on me. [Don't tell me if you did.] I just wasn't following in any path that had been previously forged. What can I say? I'm a pioneer. Mom said she would joke about pulling out pictures of her family to show off, showing Stacey and David and their two beautiful kiddos, Julie and her large, photogenic doggie, and then Erin and Eli and their...college degrees [weirdos]. Again, yes, I'm neurotic.
So, onto this baby thing. I felt like a pioneer for a while. Oh, for about 10 minutes. Maybe I'm just to this point in my life (and perhaps I'm not really a late bloomer after all) but EVERYBODY'S having babies! I hear it's good for the continuation of the species. And several of my friends, new and old, are having their first babies. I suspect people have been having babies all along (haha) but I wasn't really attuned to it. It was easier to say "except me." Now it's like every day I have a baby update to share with Eli. This person is having a baby, too! What a novelty! How coincidental! Can you believe it? He smiles and nods, humoring me in this time of extra-estrogenal-sensory.
So, maybe I'm back on track after all. And I'm happy that all my friends are having babies (first, second, third, whichever in line) because it means for me as a teacher that in a decade or so, we're going to have a crop of well-parented middle school students. Thank you, friends, for doing the responsible thing and reproducing!
Especial congrats to my pregnant pals, my fellow bandwagoneers, if you will: Jennifer from college, Kerry from college, Jeni from college, Mary Kathryn from church/theatre, Erin from my first job/church, Kelly from church in Hewitt, Deana from church in Hewitt, Amanda from high school, other Amanda from high school, Laurie from high school, and anyone else I missed.
See what I mean? EVERYONE.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Three in a row
Can it be? Things are looking up for me.
I was counting today and I only have 5 weeks until my maternity leave (if it's granted). That's awesome. The hard part is getting sub plans together. I'm going to laugh a good kind of laugh when Baby Beaver doesn't even make her way into the world until after school is over for the year. That would put me over by a week, but isn't that normal with a first pregnancy? If not normal, then not unheard of?
I wrote a referral on one of Mr. Principal's favorite students for getting up and walking out of my class to go to the bathroom (there's a story in which I was justified in declining her request to leave--I make sure I cover my butt). She asked to go, I said no, and she said, "Yes, I can." And she left. And then, get this, she wanted to come back into the classroom. Um, no. So I wrote up a referral and hadn't really heard anything about actions taken when we got back to school Tuesday. I did make sure to mention on there that I hoped he wouldn't treat this incident lightly (a waste of my effort). Come fourth period, I find out that her "punishment" is that she isn't allowed to come to my class anymore. She sits up in the conference room and does her work by herself. No in-school-suspension, no parent conference, no teacher feedback. Now she doesn't have to ask me for permission to leave anymore and I'm sure she can go anytime she likes, since there's no one actually monitoring the students that wind up in the conference room. It's like he thinks I have a personal grudge against this student (which I don't--just her isolated behavior). She's actually a very good student, but more like the little girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead. When she is good, she is very, very good. And when she is bad, she is horrid.
Punishment, indeed.
Should I be flattered that the flip side of this is that my principal considers coming to my class a privilege for students?
I was counting today and I only have 5 weeks until my maternity leave (if it's granted). That's awesome. The hard part is getting sub plans together. I'm going to laugh a good kind of laugh when Baby Beaver doesn't even make her way into the world until after school is over for the year. That would put me over by a week, but isn't that normal with a first pregnancy? If not normal, then not unheard of?
I wrote a referral on one of Mr. Principal's favorite students for getting up and walking out of my class to go to the bathroom (there's a story in which I was justified in declining her request to leave--I make sure I cover my butt). She asked to go, I said no, and she said, "Yes, I can." And she left. And then, get this, she wanted to come back into the classroom. Um, no. So I wrote up a referral and hadn't really heard anything about actions taken when we got back to school Tuesday. I did make sure to mention on there that I hoped he wouldn't treat this incident lightly (a waste of my effort). Come fourth period, I find out that her "punishment" is that she isn't allowed to come to my class anymore. She sits up in the conference room and does her work by herself. No in-school-suspension, no parent conference, no teacher feedback. Now she doesn't have to ask me for permission to leave anymore and I'm sure she can go anytime she likes, since there's no one actually monitoring the students that wind up in the conference room. It's like he thinks I have a personal grudge against this student (which I don't--just her isolated behavior). She's actually a very good student, but more like the little girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead. When she is good, she is very, very good. And when she is bad, she is horrid.
Punishment, indeed.
Should I be flattered that the flip side of this is that my principal considers coming to my class a privilege for students?
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Coco knows
At least I think he does. This loving cat of mine continues to crawl up on my baby bump and start smelling my neck, kneading and purring. It's like he can smell the pregnancy hormones and they make him happy. It's weird. I thought it might have been an isolated incident, but he keeps doing it. It's still weird.
So, I'm lucky because here I am with computer access two days in a row. So, I thought I would upload snow day pics and belly pics yesterday, but somehow corrupted my entire memory disk from my camera, so now I have to go replace it. It will be a while before I make the effort to get another (but will have one by May, rest assured!). Bah!
Not much to report since yesterday. I'm going to be working some more hours at Sylvan over the next few weeks. Several people getting married and spring break for the Auburn area. The diaper fund will be well-padded for the month of March.
Well, I'm going to go read the 9th book in the Pendragon series. I wonder when DJ MacHale will release the final book in the series. I love these books! Eli's at an Auburn U baseball game (I know! He doesn't even think baseball players are athletes!) because some one gave him free tickets. It was cute the way he asked if he could go without me. Haha. Mother may I?
Okay, time to read. See you around.
So, I'm lucky because here I am with computer access two days in a row. So, I thought I would upload snow day pics and belly pics yesterday, but somehow corrupted my entire memory disk from my camera, so now I have to go replace it. It will be a while before I make the effort to get another (but will have one by May, rest assured!). Bah!
Not much to report since yesterday. I'm going to be working some more hours at Sylvan over the next few weeks. Several people getting married and spring break for the Auburn area. The diaper fund will be well-padded for the month of March.
Well, I'm going to go read the 9th book in the Pendragon series. I wonder when DJ MacHale will release the final book in the series. I love these books! Eli's at an Auburn U baseball game (I know! He doesn't even think baseball players are athletes!) because some one gave him free tickets. It was cute the way he asked if he could go without me. Haha. Mother may I?
Okay, time to read. See you around.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Snow day!
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have a snow day in central Alabama this second day of March in the year 2009. I honestly can't remember the last time I had a snow day. Inclement weather, yes. Katrina came in the fall of 2005--my first hurricane--and we were out of school for two days and blocked into our apartment complex by a fallen tree. That was the last time we had any sort of weather day.
So, snow! The districts around where I live are in session (haha) but my little rural district canceled, and I'm still in bed, in my pajamas, thinking about all that I could get done today...or not. I love this.
It's been a week since I last posted because this computer has been on strike. I was able, this morning, to coerce it into booting up, but just to spite me it took around 20 minutes, as though it only has a 386 processor and not Intel Centrino technology. So, I've been catching up with everyone's blogs, reading e-mail from the weekend, and accepting/rejecting friend requests on facebook. My goal is to only spend 20 more minutes on this new incarnation of the "boob tube" and get some laundry done, and run some errands that I ordinarily can't do during the day. I may even get out to go sit in court and watch Eli do his gopher thing this afternoon for a little while.
So, let me start with a couple of updates:
1. It snowed yesterday. How crazy is that?
2. Eli and I were trained in the church nursery yesterday. We've been avoiding it at all the churches where we've attended, but evidently we are now in it for the long haul, forever in the obligatory rotation until all our children are in high school, I suspect.
3. Instead of using my free tickets to go see the Auburn Lady Tigers clinch the SEC women's basketball title, I ended up in the emergency room...again...for breathing issues. This time I emerged with a prescription for a home nebulizer. Hopefully my insurance will cover it! That would save me considerable time and maybe I won't have to miss any more basketball games.
4. I read the entirety of Neil Gaiman's Coraline while in the ER. Creepy. I can see why Tim Burton was enticed to do the claymated/animated version for the big screen. It's right up his alley. I probably won't ever read it again, but I don't feel like I wasted my time, either. For the record, it will never take the place of Alice in Wonderland.
5. Eli's quote from this week as we were discussing the impending baby (10 weeks!) -- "I think we're about to find out what it really means to have a full time job." Sobering thought. Makes me want that cleaning side of the nesting instinct to kick in so that I don't have to worry about that stuff for a while after Noname Beaver is born (Nonami or Nona May--we joke).
6. Boys and girls no longer sit in integrated rows at my school. Girls on one side of the classroom, boys on the other. In every class. With no input (as to girl drama strongholds or boy groups that are more disruptive than others) from the teacher. Thank you for your wisdom and guidance, Mr. Principal.
7. I finally submitted my maternity leave request paperwork to central office for approval. Please pray that they don't give me a hard time. I have the days save up, so I asked to leave April 20. I know. 4.5 weeks before the end of the school year. Wrap our late spring break into that, and I'm done April 10. This could be glorious, just glorious. Or it could be denied. Let's hope it's glorious.
Okay, my self-imposed computer ban is almost here. Happy Monday!!
So, snow! The districts around where I live are in session (haha) but my little rural district canceled, and I'm still in bed, in my pajamas, thinking about all that I could get done today...or not. I love this.
It's been a week since I last posted because this computer has been on strike. I was able, this morning, to coerce it into booting up, but just to spite me it took around 20 minutes, as though it only has a 386 processor and not Intel Centrino technology. So, I've been catching up with everyone's blogs, reading e-mail from the weekend, and accepting/rejecting friend requests on facebook. My goal is to only spend 20 more minutes on this new incarnation of the "boob tube" and get some laundry done, and run some errands that I ordinarily can't do during the day. I may even get out to go sit in court and watch Eli do his gopher thing this afternoon for a little while.
So, let me start with a couple of updates:
1. It snowed yesterday. How crazy is that?
2. Eli and I were trained in the church nursery yesterday. We've been avoiding it at all the churches where we've attended, but evidently we are now in it for the long haul, forever in the obligatory rotation until all our children are in high school, I suspect.
3. Instead of using my free tickets to go see the Auburn Lady Tigers clinch the SEC women's basketball title, I ended up in the emergency room...again...for breathing issues. This time I emerged with a prescription for a home nebulizer. Hopefully my insurance will cover it! That would save me considerable time and maybe I won't have to miss any more basketball games.
4. I read the entirety of Neil Gaiman's Coraline while in the ER. Creepy. I can see why Tim Burton was enticed to do the claymated/animated version for the big screen. It's right up his alley. I probably won't ever read it again, but I don't feel like I wasted my time, either. For the record, it will never take the place of Alice in Wonderland.
5. Eli's quote from this week as we were discussing the impending baby (10 weeks!) -- "I think we're about to find out what it really means to have a full time job." Sobering thought. Makes me want that cleaning side of the nesting instinct to kick in so that I don't have to worry about that stuff for a while after Noname Beaver is born (Nonami or Nona May--we joke).
6. Boys and girls no longer sit in integrated rows at my school. Girls on one side of the classroom, boys on the other. In every class. With no input (as to girl drama strongholds or boy groups that are more disruptive than others) from the teacher. Thank you for your wisdom and guidance, Mr. Principal.
7. I finally submitted my maternity leave request paperwork to central office for approval. Please pray that they don't give me a hard time. I have the days save up, so I asked to leave April 20. I know. 4.5 weeks before the end of the school year. Wrap our late spring break into that, and I'm done April 10. This could be glorious, just glorious. Or it could be denied. Let's hope it's glorious.
Okay, my self-imposed computer ban is almost here. Happy Monday!!
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