Summer Theme

Oh yes, this summer has a theme. It's just not a theme that I'm telling the internet about yet. And, to be perfectly honest, I'm not exactly sure what the theme is just yet. I mean, I know what the theme revolves around, I just don't know if this summer will be just about focusing on this goal, or if it will actually be attained in the next few weeks.

In other news, I've been incredibly lazy so far this summer. I've been on vacation for almost 2 weeks and I've done very little that is useful. I've watched lots of movies. I've been reading a little bit. I've spent a ridiculous amount of time on Facebook. I have started running again, but only a few times... I don't think I'd classify it as having gotten into a routine yet. And I've been sleeping really late. Like until noon or later most days. Today I got up at 9:30. I've beyond impressed with myself. Of course, just because I've been up for an hour and a half doesn't mean I've done anything yet. Except post on my blog of course (long overdue).

I'm having my annual summer gathering next Friday so I have quite a few things I want to get done before that. Some of them I'm sure won't get done, but most of them should be doable. They are relatively minor things like getting flowers planted and cleaning. I had hoped that my dad would be able to get my back door replaced before the party, but he got hurt a couple months ago and is moving a little slower. He and Mom will be up before the summer is over, though, so I just have to be patient. Perhaps I should make a list of the things I want done... I do love to cross things off a list!

I'm also planning a trip home for Father's Day this weekend. I haven't been home since... Easter I think? So it's time. It'll be the first trip since I got the wireless invisible fence, so I'll be interested to see how well it works there. The beagles have been pretty good with it at home except for one mishap involving a neighbor's collie. I guess Eddie decided the shock was worth it to make a new friend. That's why I don't leave them unattended in the front yard... it's just there so they can be up there with me. And at Mom and Dad's I intend to still go outside with them, but it will be really nice to not have to leash them.

Okay, starting my day. Time for a run, then a little flower gardening perhaps.

NaBloPo... NO!

In case you hadn't figured it out already, I am NOT participating in NaBloPoMo this year. I did it the last two years, and I'm pretty proud to say that I completed it successfully, but both years it was downright sad by the end. As sparse as my posting has been over the past few months, I don't think I want to subject myself or anyone else to what I might be forced to post about if I attempted it.

Instead I'm trying to get through the week. Tomorrow and Thursday are parent-teacher conferences and my book fair is going on as well. We've done fairly well so far. Better than I would have expected, in fact, considering the state of the economy. We haven't reached the ultimate goal yet, of course, but there are still two evenings of parents being in the building. Historically, those are my biggest sale days anyway, so I still have hope.

I'm also going to be out of my classroom the next two days. I'm attending a conference as a district representative. It's really not all that exciting, but I don't want to give any more details that could compromise my anonymity. It just shows what a long way things have come since the Great Internet Witch Hunt of '06.

My sister came to visit this past weekend. She needed a little change of scenery and an opportunity to get away from her husband for a couple of days. It was nice to see her, but a little weird. "Jane" and I are six years apart in age, which is practically nothing now that we are older, but we've never been particularly close and I think she's always seen me as her little sister. It was kind of odd to be on equal footing with her.

Now I'm just looking forward to a nice three day weekend (no school Friday due to conferences this week) when I plan to become reacquainted with my bed.

Football Victory, Fire, Fights with Boys, Copper's Ears and Butt, and Other Forms of Procrastination

1. Football Victory: My Spartans didn't let me down (for once). Yesterday they defeated our arch-rival Michigan Wolverines in the Big House for the first time since 1990. We hadn't beat them at all since 2001. I watched the game over at a friend's house with some others from work. We were supposed to go to another co-worker's anniversary party after the game, but apparently cheering on our team left us too tired. I was home and in bed by 10:00.

2. Fire: When I got home from work one day this week and logged onto Facebook, I found a friend's status message about a fire raging in his apartment and how the status of his cat was unknown. We exchanged a few texts over the afternoon, but he didn't hold out much hope for the kitty; his apartment was a total loss along with 9 others in the building (he says the fire started in his apartment, but I'm not sure of the accuracy of this as a cause has not been determined). Good news came later as his cat was found... wet, scared, and a bit singed, but no sign of smoke inhalation, so she should be fine. Also good news that he was insured, although it will not cover his losses completely, and, of course, nothing can replace the things of sentimental value.

3. Fights with Boys: All this week an argument has been brewing with my friend Richard. There's a lot of things that figure into it, but basically I'm sick of him not respecting me. It seems he can find time to spend with pretty much anyone else in his life, but not me. I know... it sounds like I'm being petty, but I swear there is just more that I'm not willing to discuss publicly. The thing is... it's now been three days since I talked to him and I'm just sad. I know I'm right in this, but I just wonder why boys have to be stupid.

But that's nothing compared to the news I got a week ago from my mom... My older sister is divorcing her husband after nine years of marriage. Apparently she's been unhappy for years and has just had enough. This also makes me sad. While he can be a bit of an annoying oaf, I like my brother-in-law, but I'm not the one who has to live with him. I know it's got to be hard for my sister to admit that her marriage is over. She's not the type of person who likes to admit failure in any area.

4. Copper's Ears and Butt: Copper had her routine vet appointment this week for her vaccinations, so I had budgeted in the expected $100 or so. Once her double ear infections were diagnosed, "excessively full" anal glands were expressed, and hookworms and tapeworms were treated (Eddie got a dose of treatment, too), it cost more than double that. She goes back in a week for a recheck on the ears, so that will be at least another twenty bucks. Did you know that the monthly heartworm preventative that I thought also prevented all those other worms actually only controls an infestation until it can be treated? Yeah, neither did I.

5. Other Forms of Procrastination: Yeah, I have papers I should be grading. I have sat on my ass most of the day watching shows on the DVR instead of grading them, or even cleaning the house (my typical form of schoolwork avoidance). The one bit of work I did get done is the laundry (although there is still a load waiting to be folded in the dryer).

I also stepped on the scale today. Holy crap. I did actually go running yesterday, which was a good start, but I guess I'm going to have to start watching what I eat again, too. I was really hoping to avoid counting points again, but I think it might have to happen. I'm at my heaviest weight ever. No wonder my jeans are so stinking tight.

Thankful

I'm thankful for:

• The cuddly kitty-cat currently nestled up in the chair behind me.
• The world's cutest beagle dog who went back to bed after going outdoors.
• The first accumulating snow of the winter... it's so pretty out!
• The health of my family... I know many people who aren't so lucky.
• The love of my friends... I have more offers of things to do while I'm home tonight than I can do!
• A friend who is willing to go way above and beyond if I ask him to.
• Being able to see Drew again last night before he leaves for Iraq.
• Having my own home where I can do whatever I want.
• Rejuvenating old friendships with people I had grown apart from.
• The possibility of something more developing from one of those old friendships.
• Finally being in a job that I truly love.
• The support of colleagues in that job.
• The freedom to live as I wish (and all the men and women who are fighting to keep it that way).

I guess I have things pretty good. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

There Are No Words... But I'll Try

Today was the baby shower.

Let me tell ya... it was surreal.

First of all, apparently A. and C. have never met each other's relatives outside of their immediate familes. Not altogether surprising when you consider that I don't even remember the last time I saw C. (it's been at least three years). But the look on A.'s face was priceless while she tried to piece together who was related to whom. Afterall, she was introduced to two of C.'s aunts today, both sisters with his mother, but not with eachother (that would be myself and Amy's* dad's other daughter). I almost laughed when A. said, "I see the resemblance," to Amy's stepmom (she only introduced herself as C.'s Grandma).

But even when you get past the tangled family tree (divorce, remarriage, and half-siblings will do that to you), it was still strange.

One event that struck me was when one of A.'s aunts said, "Congratulations," as she hugged A. I know... what else do you say when someone is expecting a baby? I guess there's something to be said for making the best of a bad situation, but it just seems out of place. "Congratulations on making your life more difficult." "Congratulations on your upcoming application to the welfare system."

Oh, and then there's my nephew. What a gem he is turning out to be. First... looks like the typical teenage boy with the baggy jeans sliding halfway down his ass. Second... so immature. I think his girlfriend has him beat on maturity level. As my mom cracked, "I wonder if she realizes that she's got two kids to raise now?" One classic moment included C. asking if the punch was spiked, to which I reminded him that, not only was it a baby shower, but that he is not yet of age. His reply was that his dad (also a gem) had told him when he turned 18 that he was close enough. Another was when something was said about how he didn't yet have a Playstation 3, but that would be his next toy. My sister told him he'd better get a better job if he wanted one. I mentioned that perhaps his priorities would be adjusted real soon.

I know that some of my snarkiness (term stolen from Pigs) comes from my own desire/inability to have a child, but somehow I feel that, even if I didn't want one of my own, I would still be able to see the idiocy in this situation. But then, if all the stupid and immature people stopped breeding, that would take away all my job security. Can't have that.

*as always... not her real name.

Added note: After I first posted this, I realized that readers might be lacking vital information. Such as the fact that my nephew's new probation officer forced him to move out of the girlfriend's house because she is only 16. He can move back in when she turns 17 in July (if you do the math, that means she got pregnant about a month before she turned 16). In the meantime, he is living with my mom and dad as they live only a couple miles away. He goes to work in morning, then to A.'s house until about 10:00 p.m., then back to Mom and Dad's to sleep. Hey, at least he does have a job. And he's almost done with his G.E.D.

*Sigh*

I got an invitation to a baby shower today. I knew it was coming. I really should go, but it would require a trip to Mom and Dad's in a few weeks. But that's not the real reason I don't know if I want to go.

The shower is for my 19 year old nephew and his girlfriend.

That's right. A child whose diapers I used to change and who I babysat on a regular basis is having a baby before me.

It seemed weird when my neice started having children, but at least she is only four years younger than me. I was 13 when C. was born.

Yeah, I look at the positives of my situation over his. C. is a high school drop out who has served time in jail for forging checks from his mother's account. He is currently living with said girlfriend at her parents' house. I have no idea what his employment status is. He and his girlfriend are not going to have an easy time in life.

Whereas I have two degrees, a well-paying job, a nice car, my own home, and the world's best cat and dog. And yet, I lack the things that would really make life complete... no relationship... no children.

Honestly, I could live without the relationship. I've done it this long and I can see no reason why I couldn't be fairly happy without a man in my life. But the kids... I ache to have a child. I know the stigma of unwed motherhood is long past (and without a doubt gone from my own family), but I just don't know how it might be in my chosen profession. I know that my employer can't legally penalize me for having a child if I'm not married, but I also know the sneaky, back-stabbing administration that I work under. I can see them making life difficult for me.

And, while probably a third to half of my students were born outside a marriage (particularly considering the community) and won't see any issue with it, there are numerous "high and mighty" families as well that are likely to throw a fit. Again, I can't be legally penalized, but I could see it getting messy.

Oh, and I seem to be lacking a key ingredient. Of course, that can be purchased, but dealing with a teenager one day will likely be difficult enough. Dealing with a teenager who has no clue who Daddy is will probably be that much worse.

No answers here. As for the shower, I suppose if all else fails, I can always order a gift online and have it shipped.