I'm tired, but unable to sleep.

Lately, the littlest things are stressing me out and make me want to cry. I don't want to talk to DH about it, b/c he either overreacts or will be stressed, too! ARGH!

Gradually, I am making friends here. But, they are not the kind that you've known long enough to tell emotions like this to feel better :)

It will be fine. Most of it is hormones - 35 weeks and counting . . .

BTW - our sea cargo freight arrived today. We have too much shit. Damn.

More on DWJSDating? and pics on Flickr soon.

I just might be insane . . .

for agreeing to move here pregnant. There is too much to do and I am starting to feel like crap. Hopefully, the damn furniture and stuff will arrive soon, while I still can move to put it away.

I really need to be nesting for the baby - instead of stressing over the international insurance. Today when I called, they couldn't find our family in the system. We better have coverage - I have already spent almost $300 out -of-pocket that will need to be reimbursed. It is going to add up fast . . .

FINALLY! Australia pics are posted on Flickr :)

www.flickr.com Didn't We Just Start Dating?'s Australian Arrival - First Two Weeks photoset

What words are appropriate to use on a "family blog"????

I was just finishing a post that I saved from the weekend and used the word screwed. It was the best word to describe the situation, but since so many people will (hopefully) be visiting the site to follow our journey in Australia, I deleted it.

Oh, this self-censorship sucks ass . . . hehehehehe!

Please visit: www.dwjsdating.blogspot.com for more family friendly posts :)

Yeah, before anyone bitches in the comments about how long it has been since I have blogged . . . get over it! I love my attitude - LOL!

And, here are all the widgets that won't work on "Didn't We Just Start Dating?" because of my new format:

I wonder . . .

How long my guilt conscious would last if I quit today?

I really want to - I am really unhappy.
I am really trying my best to finish the year and be here for my students.
I don't want to burn any bridges.
I am person that finishes a job that I start.
But, I can still wonder!

Dear God,
Grant me patience, I really need more of it in all areas of my life.
Thank you, AL

I attempted to email this post from work, but it failed for some reason. Since this is a journal for me to reflect back on, I felt it was important to put it in (even if it's two months late - originally emailed on 4/3/2007 @1:30 p.m.)!

This is me . . . for now :)



Some changes/updates from my life include:
- I am not on "summer vacation", but getting used to the idea that I am no longer a public high school teacher
- My Pampered Chef business requires work, but it is slooooow in the summer and making it difficult for me to expand to a career
- I cut my hair sorter than usual and really like it, plus I colored it lighter for summer
- We are trying for another baby
- My MIL has breast cancer, but will be okay due to catching it early and it's location
- Hubby and I are doing good
- Loo & Loco are doing good, too
- My Dad is still living with us, but it is getting old (probably b/c I am home more)

- I am going to try to blog for 21 days straight to get in the habit, again . . .

That's all for now! I must run off and prevent Loco from beating everything in site. - AL

JUST ONE WORD
1. Where is your cell phone? close
2. Your Vehicle? dirty
3. Your hair? roots
4. Your mother? voicemail
5. Your father? upstairs
6. Your favorite thing? love
7. Your dream last night? unmemorable
8. Your favorite drink? diet
10. The room you’re in? study
11. Your ex? history
12. You are? tired
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? complete
14. Who did you hang out with today? spawns
15. What you’re not? inspired
16. Muffins? most
17. One of your wish list items? debt-free
18. Where is the ______ ? keys
19. The last thing you did? chatted
20. What are you wearing? comfy
21. Your favorite TV show? Grey's
22. Your pet(s)? needy
23. Your computer? sluggish
24. Your life? evolving
25. Your mood? content
26. Missing? DH
27. What are you thinking about right now? everything
28. Your Shoes? more
29. Your work? departed
30. Your summer? anticipation
31. Your favorite color? blue

Instead of . . . "Pimp My Ride", today I am playing "Pimp My Friend"!

Stewbie has finally started giving Flickr a chance and posted some pics on a regular basis . . . please visit her to show some love and encouragement. There are even a few pics of Loo up from when she spent the night :) Thanks!

WHS . . . I am quitting at the end of the year . . . FOREVER!

This has been an increbily hard decision that stresses me out, since my job has provided us with the luxury of having things we want without thinking much about it. There is a budget in our future, there will be less eating out, there will be times when I feel guilty b/c I have worked since I was eleven . . .

It will be an adjustment for all of us, but if I don't do it now, I never will. These past two years have been miserable and I have been unhappy. In August, I started selling Pampered Chef and love it. It will take a while for me earn the same money, but I know if I "work it" like a regular job that there is a lot of potential . . . a lot!

Spamming comments sucks! Seriously . . . I have received so many comments in the last month generated by bots. So, not only have I been refrainining from blogging, but I am also pissed off at it right now. I know that I will eventually get back into it and won't delete my blog, I'm just not "feelin' it" lately. The funny part is that I am probably close to exploding b/c I have been bottling so much in - that is exactly how I act when I get too stressed though. The weird thing is that I am incredibly calm as I write this; however, I have some looming decisions to make about work, taxes to get done, calls to make, etc.

Things that have been going on lately:
- Loo started dance class and playing soccer at the YMCA
- I am coaching her 4 year old soccer team :) LOL!
- Loco is a ball of energy and gets into everything
- Loco has a head of steal and it seems that nothing phases him, short of knocking himself unconscious
- DH has changed from the rig to the office, but is still rotating
- It has been a couple of rough months for DH and I, but things have been a little better this month
- My dad is still living with us - it is a blessing most times and annoying at others - when DH is gone, it is soooooo helpful to have him here
- One of my BFF's forever is getting married in less than 20 days, very cool for them
- My other BFF's going to be spending the next year on and off in Cali - it sucks b/c she is my "talking to friend" and we talk a lot less when she is gone
- My youngest sister (15) informed us that she is "bi" and has a girl friend - that is not going over well with some of the family and her mom is pushing the bible on her, etc.
- One of my other sisters is engaged to be married to a weird, "I used to be gay" man that the entire family hates and her mom will be going to court to get custody of her kids
- My sister S that we have heard a lot about over the years is a f'd up mess! It has been so long since I have blogged that I have not shared the news of her pregnancy, leaving her husband, going back to him, etc.

Wow . . . I went for writing nothing to an bulleted essay :)

Gotta go - both the kids are awake now. Later - AL

The Chicago Bears Shuffling Crew doing the Superbowl Shuffle

1985 Chicago Bears doing the Superbowl Shuffle

Maintaining S.P.I.R.I.T.

I subscribe to motivating newsletters like this . . .

By now, many New Year's resolutions have been broken! There is one
resolution, however, that everyone needs to never break. And that is to
always maintain a positive attitude. You see, no matter how good your
attitude is you will continually have opportunities to grow. No one has
"arrived."

Maintaining a super-fantastic attitude is a life-long journey. There
will always be plenty of opportunities to sideline a positive attitude.
To help you stay on course, I've developed an acronym that encompasses
six key attitudes. These attitudes create what I call S.P.I.R.I.T. And
by maintaining S.P.I.R.I.T., your attitude will always propel you toward
a successful future-no matter what you encounter.

S stands for Self-awareness
A bad attitude boils down to the bad habit of always looking at life
negatively. Self-awareness shows you the areas you need to change and
when it's time for an attitude tune-up.

P stands for Purpose and Passion
Life takes on new meaning when you passionately pursue your purpose.
And a positive attitude is what gets you through the hard times.

I stands for Initiative
By proactively taking the initiative to meet challenges with a positive
attitude, you will be the one who controls your situation instead of
your circumstances controlling you.

R stands for Relationships and Respect
Respect is something everybody wants. Treating people with respect can
transform a bad situation. As you lay aside judgment, you open the door
for understanding and harmony to develop.

I stands for Insight
Insight is something we all need to strive for. It's the ability to
discern the true meaning of a situation. However, it's something that
requires an open mind and heart so you can see the big picture.

T stands for Trust
Trust is the attitude that unites people. Without it your work life and
personal relationships will lack development. Trust enables you to share
your ideas, as well as consider the opinions of others.

Your attitude is your most priceless possession. It's what steers you
toward success or failure. Make the commitment to never allow anything
rob you of a super-fantastic attitude in 2007!

*** At the bottom of the newsletter, it suggests:
"Attitude is contagious. Share these ideas with others at work and in
your personal life. They may get their own subscription by visiting
KeithHarrell.com"

I hope a BAD attitude is not contagious, but I have had a really shitty
one lately! Hopefully, it will get better soon . . . please!!!!!!!!

My Fine Is . . . $480

Here's how it works:

You don't have to confess your answers, just the amount of your fine.
And NO, it is not PER incident otherwise, some of us would have totals
more than the national debt!).

Bring up that calculator, and get to work!

Smoked pot -- $10
Did acid -- $5
Ever had sex at church -- $25
Woke up in the morning and did not know the person who was next to you
-- $40
Had sex with someone on MySpace -- $25
Had sex for money -- $100
Vandalized something -- $20
Had sex on your parents' bed -- $10
Beat up someone -- $20
Been jumped -- $10
Crossed dressed -- $10
Given money to stripper -- $25
Been in love with a stripper -- $20
Kissed some one who's name you didn't know -- $0.10
Hit on some one of the same sex while at work -- $15
Ever drive drunk -- $20
Ever got drunk at work, or went to work while still drunk -- $50
Used toys while having sex -- $30
Got drunk, passed out and don't remember the night before -- $20
Went skinny dipping -- $5
Had sex in a pool -- $20
Kissed someone of the same sex -- $10
Had sex with someone of the same sex -- $20
Cheated on your significant other -- $10
Masturbated -- $10
Cheated on your significant other with their relative or close friend
-- $20
Done oral -- $5
Got oral -- $5
Done / got oral in a car while it was moving -- $25
Stole something -- $10
Had sex with someone in jail -- $25
Made a nasty home video -- $15
Had a threesome -- $50
Had sex in the wild -- $20
Been in the same room while someone was having sex -- $25
Stole something worth over more than a hundred dollars -- $20
Had sex with someone 10 years older -- $20
Had sex with someone under 21 and you are over 27 -- $25
Been in love with two people or more at the same time -- $50
Said you love someone but didn't mean it -- $25
Went streaking -- $5
Went streaking in broad daylight -- $15
Been arrested -- $5
Spent time in jail -- $15
Peed in the pool -- $0.50
Played spin the bottle -- $5
Done something you regret -- $20
Had sex with your best friend -- $20
Had sex with someone you work with at work -- $25
Had anal sex -- $80
Lied to your mate -- $5
Lied to your mate about the sex being good -- $25

Tally it up and Title it..."My Fine Is..."

They Grow-Up Too Fast . . .

Loco boy is walking!

I gave in and joined "YouTube" so that more family & friends can see videos of the kids without emailing them!

Here's to a productive weekend getting ready for hubby to come home :)

Yeah, Biaaaatch, I'm Unique!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 0 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Well, really, it's my Hubby's last name that is unique . . . LOL . . . b/c when I searched with my maiden name I got:

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 507 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Stewbie turned me on to this link - she rocks!

Bad day . . .

I haven't written in so long, that it keeps me from writing out of guilt. And then I remember . . . I started this for me!

The last day and a half have been pretty miserable. It is just a combination of things, lots of things, that add up to me feeling like I am going to cry any minute. I hate feeling this way and know that it will pass - at least that is what I keep telling myself! -AL

Sometimes . . . Being In Education Sucks!

Over the years, one of the worse parts about being a teacher is how limited you are for absences. They don't want anyone to take off Mondays or Fridays, you can't miss too many days in a row, etc. Last year, my school and school district had an obscene substitute "bill" and
now we are paying the price for it! This morning, we received the following email:

"Staff, the District spent over $4 million dollars last year in substitutes. XXX AL's XXX High School had almost 9,000 substitutes last year. This year each campus has a budget for ALL absences (excluding vacancies, special education student aides, and pullouts). Therefore, do
not do the following or your pay will be subject to be docked:
1) Schedule appointments during the day-- try to do this after school or during your conference period.
2) Schedule flights without prior approval-- seek permission prior to planning a trip.
3) Assume you will be granted approval.
4) Schedule absences before or after a school holiday.
5) Assume you will go to the same tournaments, meets or various
competitions (like last year).

Our campus budgets have been cut drastically. We ask for your patience as we endure this cutback, but we have to reduce the excessive absences. We are tracking staff absences per staff member vs. per dept. like we did last year. Thanks!"

Uuuuuhhhhh . . . ARGH! First, how are we supposed to remain positive and, in turn, be positive for our students with directives like this coming from the administration? Second, how can they tell me when I can and cannot use the days I earned for absences? Being like this makes the staff resort to manipulation and lies! I have a trip planned and know that I will have to call in sick or with a sick kid to miss work.

I earned those days and have a right to use them.

This frustrates me! Can you tell? - AL

Slowly, But Surely . . . I'm Back!

Well, I have been trying to catch up and read how some of you have been doing. It has been fun, like getting to know old friends (too bad I can't comment from work). Though, I didn't post much on "AL's Mind" over the summer, I kept busy with Flickr. If you want to catch up with me and see some of the summer fun, please visit Flickr to get a photographic tutorial - LOL!

Ohhhhh, yeah - I'm already sick with a cold and school hasn't even been in session for two weeks - argh! - AL

Mars, The Red Planet, is about to be spectacular!

This month and next, Earth is catching up with Mars in an encounter that will culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287. Due to the way Jupiter's gravity tugs on Mars and perturbs its orbit, astronomers can only be certain that Mars has not come this close to Earth in the last 5,000 years, but it may be as long as 60,000 years before it happens again.

The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles of Earth and will be (next to the moon) the brightest object in the night sky. It will attain a magnitude of -2.9 and will appear 25.11 arc seconds wide. At a modest 75-power magnification . . . Mars will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye.

Mars will be easy to spot. At the beginning of August it will rise in the east at 10 p.m. and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m. By the end of August when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise at nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30 a.m. That's pretty convenient to see something that no human being has seen in recorded history. So, mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars grow progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month.

NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN!!!! So cool :-) - AL

TESTING

I am emailing a post to my blog . . . what does this look like?

 

I hate the fact that my school has blocked Blogger and all of your blogs.  Now I cannot read or write at lunch time ;(  It sucks!

 

- AL