Yes...Still Alive

I know...way to long between posts! You'll just have to forgive me.

First, thank you all for the congratulations. I am very excited to say the least about my new position. It is exactly what I wanted and I'm looking forward to being in a new positive environment. Please keep praying and sending good thoughts as it isn't "final" yet. The principal went on a week long in-service retreat (to Vail, CO...yeah...) and did not get all the paper work to HR yet. She told me today that she will be taking it to HR tomorrow. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but I'm on a deadline. I'm still under contract with HISD and will be locked in after July 11 so while I'm confident that it will all be resolved I'm still nervous. I can't wait to as someone put it, "tell her to shove it." Anyway, enough of that. Y'all understand how I feel about my current principal.

Now, on to the move. Everything went so smoothly. I'm telling you, movers are worth every single penny! They had me packed up, moved, unloaded, and were on their way by 11am last Saturday. There were only two of them too. Like I said...worth every cent.

My mom stayed with me the past week to help me unpack and decorate my new apartment. I don't have any pictures now, but I will soon. I love it! It feels like home and I have more space too. Which for a girl like me is always a good thing! My mom and I worked at a steady pace and while everything was in its place when we left yesterday we were worn out. Moving isn't for the faint of heart!

Now, I'm in Abilene. I'm here to visit with my parents for a couple of weeks. Also I'm having some dental surgery done. I'm having all my wisdom teeth out next Monday. There are four of those suckers. One has behaved and is just ready to be pulled. Two are impacted and laying sideways. And one is flush against my jaw bone. I have a feeling this won't be an easy removal as my oral surgeon said, "You'll be cussing me the next day." Yeah...I can't wait.

Other than all that, I'm doing well. Toby is growing like a weed and he is so adorable. Of course I'm sure all pet parents think their pet is the most adorablest (yeah I think that is a word...) but y'all...Toby really is the most adorable kitty! I'll have to post new pictures of him too. Unfortunately, he isn't getting along with my parents cat. Compared to Toby, Dex (whom I love and adore too) is a huge honkin' thing. When he bares his teeth and growls (cats can growl...who'd have thunk?) he is down right scary. So the transition hasn't been totally smooth for Toby and Dex. They have 15 more days to get it right though!

I was catching up on some posts today and I just want everyone to know that while some of you have some really big stuff going on I always appreciate that you take the time to stop by here and leave a comment for me. It isn't a big secret that I haven't been happy with my lot in life for the last several months, but I feel so much better and at peace about things. I'm hoping to return to my normal self (blogging self included!) soon. I hope that y'all are doing well and taking care!

Finally...Great News!

I'm elbow deep in packing boxes, but I had to take some time out to share my wonderfully great news!

I was offered the job that I wanted from the very beginning!

Saturday afternoon I got a call from the principal of this school asking me to come and interview on Tuesday. I was really very shocked because in April I had sent her a letter of interest and a resume. While she seemed interested, she wasn't able to hire due to a rezoning issue in the district. I tried again about the middle of May and she replied with a short email saying that she didn't know if she would be able to hire anyone, but she thanked me for my interest. I thought I'd expressed interest one too many times.

Well, Tuesday I went and did the interview thing. It was the strangest interview. There were three people on one side of the desk. The principal asked one...uno...1...question and then turned to her computer and replied to email during the duration of my interview. They did a conference call with the second grade team leader so I looked like an idiot talking to the phone. Anyway, after I talked with the team leader they told me I could go. I was like, "Do you have any questions for me?" They said no so I was wondering just how impressed they were with me. I've been coming around to my mom's "if it is meant to be it will be" way of thinking so I figured if it was meant to be...

Yesterday afternoon I got the call from the principal. She said how impressed they had been with me and were excited to have me on their team. So, I'll be teaching Language Arts/Social Studies in second grade. I'm thrilled! This is what I wanted from the very beginning. Thank God for answered prayers!

Now, I have to get back to packing. Still so much to do before Saturday morning at 8am. Y'all have a great rest of the week!

Toby Love

There is a new little addition to my house...Toby! Faithful blog readers...meet Toby.


Isn't he just adorable?! I've been wanting a cat for a long time, but my landlady wouldn't let me have them here. So, I knew I'd be forking over the pet deposit and getting a kitten when I moved to the apartment (in ten days no less...packing is happening very slowly). Last weekend when I went to my grandparents, my mom had this little thing perched on her shoulder. He had been found cornered by the dogs and they had rescued him. He needed a home and I wanted a kitten and the rest is, as they say, history!

I took him to the vet Friday. He's around 5 weeks old and only weighed 1.2 pounds. He was covered in fleas (and hates the flea treatment we do every other day...got the scratch marks to prove it) and had ear mites. He endured some real indignities at the vet, but was a trooper. He had a weekend full of new experiences. Also, he wasn't a good traveler either. I think we were both crying by the time we got home. Thankfully, Toby has settled into a very nice routine here at home.

He's a really good kitty. The first night he was all over the bed, but the last few nights he's been settled right up there on my pillow. We wake up and I take him to the litter and his food and then I go back to sleep. Don't forget that school is out and I'm taking full advantage of the sleeping late thing! Anyway, when I wake back up then we play. Toby loves to play!

His favorite toy is this Gone Fishin' thing. It is a fabric fish on a string that hangs from a pole. He loves to swat at the fish though his coordination isn't always the best. I just love watching him! Then he naps and the whole eat, litter, play cycle begins again.

I'm taking advantage of his sleeping status to post. He doesn't seem to like me at the computer. He sits on the back of my recliner just meowing at me. I think it is because he can't crawl around or maybe because he doesn't have my attention. He loves to be the center of attention. Good thing he's adorable!

Another Applicant

Know those dating site commercials where the people say how great they are, but then a big white REJECTED sign pops up over their face...I know how they feel.

I heard back today from the lady that I interviewed with last week. While she appreciates my interest they have decided to recommend another applicant for the position. I am a little disappointed, but I suppose that is the way of things. As my mom is fond of telling me, "If it doesn't work out then it wasn't meant to be."

With that still in mind, I went to another interview yesterday. I think it went as well as it could. They are supposed to make their decision today so I suppose I won't have long to wait.

I'm trying to keep in mind the fact that just because I'm not chosen it doesn't mean I'm a bad teacher or there is something professionally wrong with me. (Thanks for those encouraging words Jersey Girl!) And it isn't like the last time I went on the job hunt. I am still gainfully employed. I'd just like to be better gainfully employed. It is a process...I know.

In other news, I found out that the reports about the apartment complex weren't exactly true (always nice to talk to the local police to clear things up). Every place is going to have good points and the not so good points. So, I'm still moving. In 17 days...I'm going to be so busy.

I know I haven't made the rounds lately, but I really appreciate you guys that still come by and leave words of encouragement! That means so much. Y'all have a great weekend!