My mom called just a little while ago to let me know that my Grandpa passed away last night. He is now my third relative to pass away in 5 months. I don't really have any details right now as to how he passed or what kinds of services are going to happen. I was planning a trip to L.A. during the last weekend in March, but that will probably be moved up a week now and it will be for a completely different reason.
I don't really have much else to say at the moment. I'm a little numb.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Friends
Back in high school I had a lot of friends. I have so many memories of the group I used to hang out with. We would all load up in my van and go to baseball games on the weekends or get together for volleyball games in my backyard. We were all part of the different clubs on campus and sports teams. I even had one friend in high school who declared herself the mascot of the girl's tennis team just so she could come see us play (and get out of 6th period once a week). It was a really fun time.
Then we all graduated and everyone went their separate ways. I am one of the few who stayed in the area where I grew up. It has been really hard keeping in contact with everyone since we're all so busy with our daily lives. Most people who I want to keep in contact with are in other states (and one in another country) so it has been hard to stay current.
I have to admit that it has been really hard for me to make new friends since high school. I have become much more introverted and less social. I have also made some friends since high school that have fizzled out for one reason or another, making it hard for me to want to put in the effort. It's not that I don't want relationships. I just don't want them if they're going to be one sided. I always get excited when I reconnect with someone which is, most of the time, through MySpace or Facebook. Unfortunately, it never really pans out to more than a quick "catch-up" email or an occasional "hello".
This weekend, I spent some time with someone that I consider to be one of my closest friends. She's also one of my newest friends. Looking back on it, I realize that she is the one who made the most effort to get to know me and be my friend. I feel really lucky to know that I have another person in my life that is a genuine friend. I now realize that it's not important to have lots of friends but more important to have quality friends. I'm happy to say that I have that.
To all my friends who I don't get to talk to or see often, know that I think of you all the time and hope that you're doing well. I miss all of you terribly. You all know who you are.
Then we all graduated and everyone went their separate ways. I am one of the few who stayed in the area where I grew up. It has been really hard keeping in contact with everyone since we're all so busy with our daily lives. Most people who I want to keep in contact with are in other states (and one in another country) so it has been hard to stay current.
I have to admit that it has been really hard for me to make new friends since high school. I have become much more introverted and less social. I have also made some friends since high school that have fizzled out for one reason or another, making it hard for me to want to put in the effort. It's not that I don't want relationships. I just don't want them if they're going to be one sided. I always get excited when I reconnect with someone which is, most of the time, through MySpace or Facebook. Unfortunately, it never really pans out to more than a quick "catch-up" email or an occasional "hello".
This weekend, I spent some time with someone that I consider to be one of my closest friends. She's also one of my newest friends. Looking back on it, I realize that she is the one who made the most effort to get to know me and be my friend. I feel really lucky to know that I have another person in my life that is a genuine friend. I now realize that it's not important to have lots of friends but more important to have quality friends. I'm happy to say that I have that.
To all my friends who I don't get to talk to or see often, know that I think of you all the time and hope that you're doing well. I miss all of you terribly. You all know who you are.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Budget Cuts
As I'm sure all of you have heard, the governor has proposed a budget that, if passes, will have a devastating effect on our public schools. Many people were handed pink slips this week. Too many, in fact. In my small school district, two severely handicapped teachers were given pink slips and at least 4 instructional assistants in SH....that I know of.
My job is not in jeopardy as I have been with my district long enough to have quite a bit of senority (especially with the turnover of instructional assistants...people aren't lining up for my job!). However, I'm fairly certain that my hours are going to be cut again this year. Last year, my hours were cut from 7 hours per day to 6.5 hours per day. It looks like I may be down to 6 hours per day in August. This doesn't sound like much, but one half hour per day turns into quite a lot at the end of the month. On top of this, it means that what I will pay in medical insurance will go up again, being that I pay more in medical when my hours go down. As a result, my paychecks are roughly $300 less per month just because of this and will go down another $300 a month come August.
I feel that I'm at a bit of a crossroads. I really love my job and don't want to quit. This year has been a pretty good one overall. However, I don't feel that I'm living up to my financial obligation at home if I don't bring in more money (that is my issue...Lance has never said a word about me finding another job or bringing in more money. He's very supportive and wants me to have a job where I am happy.) So, my options are to stay with my current job and possibly find a second job again or find another job altogether. Again, this is something that I'm struggling with myself and not something that I'm being pressured about by anyone else. I don't want to give anyone the impression that we're hurting for money or that we're not making ends meet. I just want to be more comfortable...especially with a little one coming.
My job is not in jeopardy as I have been with my district long enough to have quite a bit of senority (especially with the turnover of instructional assistants...people aren't lining up for my job!). However, I'm fairly certain that my hours are going to be cut again this year. Last year, my hours were cut from 7 hours per day to 6.5 hours per day. It looks like I may be down to 6 hours per day in August. This doesn't sound like much, but one half hour per day turns into quite a lot at the end of the month. On top of this, it means that what I will pay in medical insurance will go up again, being that I pay more in medical when my hours go down. As a result, my paychecks are roughly $300 less per month just because of this and will go down another $300 a month come August.
I feel that I'm at a bit of a crossroads. I really love my job and don't want to quit. This year has been a pretty good one overall. However, I don't feel that I'm living up to my financial obligation at home if I don't bring in more money (that is my issue...Lance has never said a word about me finding another job or bringing in more money. He's very supportive and wants me to have a job where I am happy.) So, my options are to stay with my current job and possibly find a second job again or find another job altogether. Again, this is something that I'm struggling with myself and not something that I'm being pressured about by anyone else. I don't want to give anyone the impression that we're hurting for money or that we're not making ends meet. I just want to be more comfortable...especially with a little one coming.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Decisions, decisions...
My dad came over this weekend to do more work on our bathroom. Unfortunately, he didn't get as much done as he wanted after he ran into a bit of trouble once he lifted the toilet. Whoever remodeled our bathroom before we moved in did some things wrong and my dad had to fix them. Since the floor boards were damp, he couldn't put the mud down in preparation for the tile that we are using for the floor. We ended up having to run to Home Depot to buy a couple of things for the bathroom. When we got there, my dad brought me down the isle to look at the different toilets I could choose from to replace the one we had.
Now, I have NEVER given even the slightest thought to toilets before. I couldn't believe that I was standing in the middle of the isle pondering about toilets. Which one would be best for us? Do I want an almond color toilet or a white one? Do I want an elongated toilet or a round one? Do I want one that is 20 inches high or 27 inches high? Do I want a Kohler, American Standard or another brand? Do I want a 1.6 gpf or a 1.1gpf? OH MY GOD!!!!! I thought my head was going to explode....
...and we're talking about toilets here people!
I finally settled on one. I'll pick it up in a couple of weeks. Out of this whole project, this is the first thing that has stumped me. The shower? Easy. The floor? Easy. The fan and light? Easy. The wall color? Easy. The toilet? Oh man. At least my dad thought it was humerous.
Don't even get me started on toilet seats.
Now, I have NEVER given even the slightest thought to toilets before. I couldn't believe that I was standing in the middle of the isle pondering about toilets. Which one would be best for us? Do I want an almond color toilet or a white one? Do I want an elongated toilet or a round one? Do I want one that is 20 inches high or 27 inches high? Do I want a Kohler, American Standard or another brand? Do I want a 1.6 gpf or a 1.1gpf? OH MY GOD!!!!! I thought my head was going to explode....
...and we're talking about toilets here people!
I finally settled on one. I'll pick it up in a couple of weeks. Out of this whole project, this is the first thing that has stumped me. The shower? Easy. The floor? Easy. The fan and light? Easy. The wall color? Easy. The toilet? Oh man. At least my dad thought it was humerous.
Don't even get me started on toilet seats.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Uncle George
I got the news this morning that yet another one of my relatives has passed away. My Uncle George is the second of my relatives to pass away in the last 4 1/2 months. It wasn't completely unexpected as he has been on oxygen for some time now and had a hard time getting around his house lately. We will say a final goodbye to him later this week.
My mom had been going up to visit him almost every other weekend for the last 6-9 months to help him out. Uncle George was the oldest of my mom's siblings and was in his mid-80s. Unfortunately, I didn't get to know him much over the years. I only saw him a few times growing up. I'm not sure exactly why...there wasn't any animosity between him and my mom. I think the fact that he was grown and out of the house when my mom was born and the age difference played a huge part in that.
Over the last couple of months, I had the opportunity to go up to his house with my mom to visit him. He lived in a small, rundown house on a huge lot in Garden Valley, which is about 3 hours north of my house. He and his wife, Jenny, made their home there many, many years ago and were very well known in their town. The park across the street from their house is even dedicated to them and there is a plaque there with their names on it. They were very involved in their community. Jenny passed away several years ago from cancer.
I'm so glad that I was able to see him a few more times before he passed. He was unlike anyone else I had ever met. He was bossy, stubborn and LOVED to give my mom and my aunt a hard time, even though he meant well and loved them a lot. The hankerchiefs had to be folded just right, you had to sit in just the right spot on his couch and you had to follow his directions exactly when dealing with the fireplace. He was pretty hard on the outside and a bit softer on the inside. He loved his milkshakes and sandwiches from the deli down the street from his house. He was a really interesting fellow. I know he'll be missed a lot by his community and his family.
My mom had been going up to visit him almost every other weekend for the last 6-9 months to help him out. Uncle George was the oldest of my mom's siblings and was in his mid-80s. Unfortunately, I didn't get to know him much over the years. I only saw him a few times growing up. I'm not sure exactly why...there wasn't any animosity between him and my mom. I think the fact that he was grown and out of the house when my mom was born and the age difference played a huge part in that.
Over the last couple of months, I had the opportunity to go up to his house with my mom to visit him. He lived in a small, rundown house on a huge lot in Garden Valley, which is about 3 hours north of my house. He and his wife, Jenny, made their home there many, many years ago and were very well known in their town. The park across the street from their house is even dedicated to them and there is a plaque there with their names on it. They were very involved in their community. Jenny passed away several years ago from cancer.
I'm so glad that I was able to see him a few more times before he passed. He was unlike anyone else I had ever met. He was bossy, stubborn and LOVED to give my mom and my aunt a hard time, even though he meant well and loved them a lot. The hankerchiefs had to be folded just right, you had to sit in just the right spot on his couch and you had to follow his directions exactly when dealing with the fireplace. He was pretty hard on the outside and a bit softer on the inside. He loved his milkshakes and sandwiches from the deli down the street from his house. He was a really interesting fellow. I know he'll be missed a lot by his community and his family.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
My Weekend
I have to start off by saying how proud I am of my hubby. Lance came home on Friday and told me that he is going to be getting an award at his school on the evening of March 4. He is being honored at the 2008 PTSA Founders Day Celebration in recognition of his "outstanding contributions to children and youth." Of course, in typical Lance style, he told me in the "it's no big deal" kind of way. In my opinion, anytime someone recognizes you and the work you are doing is fantastic and in his case, highly deserved. I'm really happy for him and I'm definitely proud of him.
Yesterday, Lance and I made our way out to San Francisco for WonderCon 2008. I was a little disappointed that a few more actors weren't there, but I did get to see a few people that I was looking forward to seeing. Jon Favreau was there promoting Iron Man. I LOVE his movies and from the looks of Iron Man, I don't think this one will disappoint. John Cho was there to help promote his new Harold and Kumar movie. He is one of the stars of that movie, although I know him best from American Pie. Also, Anne Hathaway and Steve Carell were there to promote Get Smart. I LOVE Steve Carell. I was telling Lance that I laugh every single time that guy screams. He was probably the person that I was most excited about seeing. I'm a big fan of his.
I'm not sure that I'll go to WonderCon next year. I'll consider it if someone is going to be there that I absolutely cannot miss. It has become insanely crowded over the years. It was to the point yesterday where I probably only spent a total of 20-25 minutes walking around on the floor. It was wall-to-wall people everywhere and in some spots I absolutely couldn't move. What makes it a bit more overwhelming for me is the fact that I don't read comic books, so usually I don't even know what I'm looking at. I have a lot of respect for the writers and artists who make them and I think they have a lot of talent, but it's just not my thing. I've always gone for Lance so I can show support and be a part of when he loves so much. Out of the 10 years that we've been together, I've been to 8 conventions with him. I know I'll still go with him. I'm just not sure that I'm going to go EVERY year from here on out.
So, I've come down with another cold...or allergies...I'm not quite sure what this one is. It's definitely not as bad as what I was dealing with last month. I'm pretty stuffed up and I have a slight headache that seems to constantly linger. Lance said that I was snoring so badly on Friday night that he slept on the couch for half the night. I felt horrible! I guess when I fell asleep, I was sleeping pretty hard! As long as I have one nostril to breathe out of, I'm good. Hopefully it will be gone in the next couple of days.
My dad is coming back over next weekend to continue on the bathroom. As long as the weather cooperates, he will begin cutting tile for our bathroom floor. I'm so excited! I can't wait to see the finished product. It's going to look awesome.
Enjoy the pics from WonderCon!
Jon Favreau
John Cho (MILF!)
Steve Carell
Anne Hathaway
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Sciatica
Since last night, I've been dealing with this pain that runs from my lower back, through my butt and all the way down my leg to my ankle. I haven't had sciatica this bad in probably 12 years! I've had it off and on over the years, but this one really hurts. It was so bad last night that I could barely walk. This morning it is a little better. The pain in my leg is still there but it's not hurting in my back anymore. According to WebMD.com, a bulged disk in your back is the most common reason why people get sciatica, which may explain why I've had it off and on over the years and why I have it now. WedMD was right about another thing...it hurts A LOT more when I sit, so you can imagine how comfortable I am writing this. Luckily for me today, I will be spending a lot of my day walking around the community college campus with my students.
My mother-in-law has had to deal with this pain for a long time and seems to get it on a somewhat regular basis (correct me if I'm wrong on this!). My husband had it pretty bad not too long ago. Now it's my turn!
So, I probably won't be doing my bike today. I'm pretty bummed about this. I was on a good roll there. It will just have to continue when my pain goes away.
My mother-in-law has had to deal with this pain for a long time and seems to get it on a somewhat regular basis (correct me if I'm wrong on this!). My husband had it pretty bad not too long ago. Now it's my turn!
So, I probably won't be doing my bike today. I'm pretty bummed about this. I was on a good roll there. It will just have to continue when my pain goes away.
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