Playing Catch Up

You guys really are the best. I've become this horrible blogger recluse, yet I still check my comments daily hoping that you guys haven't followed my terrible lead. And I'm always surprised! Thank you all for the wonderful comments and emails. Even when I'm being unusually quiet, I appreciate the thoughts and support. I'd promise to return the favor, but with my current blogging habits I might just end up being a terrible liar. So, I'm going to take it one day at a time and make time to visit at least one friend every day. Baby steps and all....

Anyway, the vacation time share...excuse me vacation home purchase...turned out to be a lot of hype. But you never know until you go right? I conned my cousin into going with me (promising her the "free" seat next to me on the plane to Vegas and all) and also so she could remind me to be strong and remember my favorite phrase, "No, thank you!" The guy who showed us around was really nice (and cute...but I wasn't swayed) and even took my "No, thank you!" very well. He just asked a manager to come over and talk to me about financing. I couldn't afford this place with the cute guy and even though I was curious about the "deal" this other guy could make me I still couldn't afford it. For those people that could it seemed like a good deal. Well, once I told him "No, thank you!" he became a little rude. Okay, more than a little rude. I believe his exact words were, "Fine, keep throwing away your money." (See they try to sell you on the idea that the money you'd spend on their vacation getaway is less than you'd spend on a year's worth of vacations.) I replied that I didn't think I was throwing away money at which point he stomped away from the table leaving me completely clueless as to what to do next.

When I finally did make it to the prize hut it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I "won" a trip to Aruba that I have to pay to get to, pay to eat and drink at, and pay to get around on. Not so great of a deal. Of course there is the Vegas trip...the one that leaves on Tuesday only between 3pm-10pm and lets us stay at the luxurious Days Inn. The best thing I got was a $40 gas card!

I was finally able to sleep again, but I'm not sure how long it is going to last. It is 9:45 and I'm wide awake. Hopefully a little blogging and then a little in bed reading will help me drift off at a reasonable hour. It is probably because I got the most unprofessional e-mail about my contract today and I'm all up in a stir again. As my mom has told me...let it go and don't pick it back up. Leave it alone! Keep sending me sleepy time thoughts okay...

I've applied at two more school districts. Just a little nibble in Spring but I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that somewhere out there someone wants me. And no, Lori...not in Arkansas! It is a waiting game but I've waited before so I'll make it. Patience just isn't my long suit...not by a long shot!

Yes, there is a guy. But that is all I'm willing to share. Right now it is just a friendship (which is how they should all start out right) but I'm open to whatever comes next. We'll see.

There are only 29 days of school left. How does that happen? How can it already be the end of April? Time sure goes fast these days. I've got a great crop of kids this year and it is hard to believe that my time with them is already drawing to a close. They have made great gains this year and I'm so proud of them! And of course they keep me laughing (which I've needed a little bit lately)! The other day we were discussing diagrams and how some diagrams point out the names of parts. This particular diagram was a plane...parts of a plane. We got a little stuck on the word cabin (most thought that was a house) but after some explaining I thought we had it.

Ms. S: "Where does the pilot sit?"
S: "In his seat Ms. Stewart!"

Well, apparently not. But I had to laugh...

Thanks again for hanging in there with me. You bloggers are the best!

12:41

It is after midnight. Where should I be...bed. Where am I...in front of the computer. My body is tired and begging for bed, but I can not shut my mind off. There are so many things rattling around up there.

I'm worried that I won't find another job and I'll be stuck in the hell that is where I work.

I'm frustrated because I'm not in control right now. I hate having any of my ducks out of a row and right now the job duckie (a huge duckie) is missing altogether.

I'm disappointed in myself that I hate where I am and while I'm making efforts to change where I am and daily trying to find the positive I still hate where I am. I hate that I hate it.

I'm excited about an upcoming vacation (to Amman, Jordan this Christmas!)

I'm trying to stay in perspective when it comes to this guy. My emotions are trying to run wild, but my head (and mother) are shouting back perspective perspective perspective.

My bed is calling and I really should return. I still feel like sleep is a long way off, but perhaps I'll rest more if I'm under the covers with the lights out.

Mind...go to sleep!

It's A Guy Thing...Right?!

Let me begin by saying that I mean no offense to those girls that kill their own bugs, know a spark plug from a sparkler, and remain completely calm in the face of minor home repair. Let me also say that I'm not that kind of girl! So, I truly admire you chicks.

Yesterday was a little bit of a no bueno day...starting with the fact that my car wouldn't start. Sitting in the car listening to the sound of nothing as I turned the ignition I immediately wished for a man...any man. A man seems to make those bug, sparking, and home repair situations so much more easier to deal with. Anyway, the battery was dead. Unfortunately not horror movie dead but really dead. Thanks to a sympathetic co-worker I made it to work on time and safely home with a new battery.

And even more importantly, the guy next door was willing to switch them out for me for the small price of a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies (I think I'll leave out the part about my cooking skills!). But, he did mention that I should replace the battery terminals. More specifically the hot end of the terminal.

Are you picturing how blank my face looked?!

Well, anyway I took myself down to the local Auto Zone after work and felt like I was entering some sacred man place. I must have had some awed expression on my face because the sales guy just smiled and asked if he could help. I told him that I needed the hot end of a battery terminal. Then he started to ask about the number of connectors and he lost me. I simply handed him my sassy girl sticky note and said this was all I knew. Hopefully I've gotten the right part.

So, my question (any guy feel free to answer!) is does car knowledge come along for the ride with that Y chromosome? I mean do guys "just know" or does someone teach them? Whatever it is I sure am glad guys have it and that they are willing to take some pity on girls that don't!

In The Hot Seat

I volunteered to be "interviewed" by a fellow reader and posted below is a sampling of questions. They range from the nice to the naughty and everywhere in between. I think these things are fun and interesting because these type of questions usually dig a little deeper into the interviewee and make the interviewer think a little past what-is-your-favorite-color type questions. Enjoy getting to know a little bit more about me (probably some things that wouldn't normally just come out in a post!) and if you'd like to take a turn in the hot seat let me know!

What is your favorite soup?
My favorite homemade soup is my mom's Southwestern Soup. I bet everyone has a recipe for something "kind of like that" but I think my mom's is the absolute best! It's thick and hearty and perfect for cold days. It's also very easy to make and practically fool proof (which sometimes I need!)

And because I'm a nice kind of gal I'll even share the recipe!

1 lb. ground beef
1 pkg. dry ranch dressing mix
2 med. onions
2 cans ranch style beans
2 black beans
2 cans whole corn (with the liquid)
1 can hominy
1 large can diced tomatoes (with the liquid)
1 can mild (or spicy depending on your taste) Rotel
1 lb. Velveeta cheese

In a large (and I mean LARGE) soup pot brown the ground beef and onions together. Drain away any unwanted grease. Add the ranch dressing mix and stir together. Add all of the remaining ingredients (except the cheese) and bring to a boil. Slowly add the cubes of Velveeta cheese and stir until melted. It's the dump and heat method...very easy and very good!

And when I feel lazy my favorite soup is Campbell's Select Italian Sausage with Pasta and Pepperoni.

If you were going to buy underwear for a man, what would you get?
This is kind of tricky to answer as I don't really buy underwear for guys. I guess I would say that I'd probably buy briefs in colors. And perhaps one or two pair of goofy boxers (the kind with cartoons or inappropriate crotch jokes on them) just to add some variety to the mix.

Have you ever stolen anything on purpose?
Yes, I stole a hot glue gun stick from Michael's Craft Store when I was about 6 or 7. My dad found out I'd taken it and made me return it to the store and apologize. Also in college I one time changed the price sticker on a book at Wal-Mart so I didn't have to pay full price. That was a moment of weakness and being broke. I haven't stolen anything else.

Does anyone have naked pictures of you?
Yes. (I think the interviewer was referring to those embarrassing naked-baby-in-the-sink type pictures all parents have...right?!)

What one thought turns you on more than anything else?
Being with a guy that is totally turned on by the good girl in me and the girl that wants to do the unexpected and break all kinds of rules and taboos. Oh, and that guy should have a great mouth! You can tell a lot about a guy by the way he kisses and uses his tongue. ;)

There you go...more about me. Now, who wants to go next?!