Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. Been busy with workshops and final judging of a book award thing. (Will write more on that later.) Here are 3 things on my to-do list for tomorrow:
1. Get a haircut - I've gotten completely lazy about doing my hair which is why I've kept it fairly short for a while now. I grew out the pixie cut I had two years ago and for the first time in about 25 years I've also grown my bangs out. My hair seems to have gotten curlier in the last few years so I have a short chin-length bob and just let the curls/waves do their thing. I think I want to go with a more angled A-line bob where it's longer in the front and shorter in the back.
2. Put together the rest of my IKEA stuff at school. I went up to school after my workshop today and put together a couple of things but I have a few more items that I need to work on.
3. Clean out and organize the library office/craft room. I basically turned my office into a craft room last year but I had a giant table in there that was really too big for the space. I took it out and put in a smaller table and desk and now it's open in the middle. I need to sort through and organize my shelves and make it a workable craft area for teachers and students wanting to use our new cricut machine.
This all of course is AFTER I sleep in tomorrow. Wednesday is my last day before I officially report back to work so I'm not going to rush going in tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Saturday, July 27, 2019
Daily 3 - Back to School Shopping
After paying bills I found that I had some extra money so I headed out to do some back to school shopping today. These are the three stores I went to:
1. IKEA (Again) - After putting all my other stuff together, I realized that there were a few more things I wanted so I headed back this morning and again bought too much stuff. Luckily I had a coupon for $20 off when spending over $150. Hopefully I'm done with that store for a while.
2. Ross Dress for Less - I mostly did a cursory walk of the store. No clothing interested me so I checked out the furniture. I'm looking for some smaller side tables or magazine racks but everything I saw was more than I wanted to spend. I did, however, find something I had to have. It's two sided chalkboard sign like you might see outside of a cafe noting today's specials. Since I have a coffee bar in my library, I thought it would be a nice addition and it was only $30. When I compared that to online prices, most were $70 or more so I think it was a good deal.
3. Kohl's - I did pretty well only buying three tops, a pair of black pants, and jacket (which was on sale for $4.80). I had a 20% off coupon which saved me about $20.
I also stopped at Walmart on the way home (for more cat food and some other items). The only other store that I really need to go to before school starts is Skechers.
1. IKEA (Again) - After putting all my other stuff together, I realized that there were a few more things I wanted so I headed back this morning and again bought too much stuff. Luckily I had a coupon for $20 off when spending over $150. Hopefully I'm done with that store for a while.
2. Ross Dress for Less - I mostly did a cursory walk of the store. No clothing interested me so I checked out the furniture. I'm looking for some smaller side tables or magazine racks but everything I saw was more than I wanted to spend. I did, however, find something I had to have. It's two sided chalkboard sign like you might see outside of a cafe noting today's specials. Since I have a coffee bar in my library, I thought it would be a nice addition and it was only $30. When I compared that to online prices, most were $70 or more so I think it was a good deal.
3. Kohl's - I did pretty well only buying three tops, a pair of black pants, and jacket (which was on sale for $4.80). I had a 20% off coupon which saved me about $20.
I also stopped at Walmart on the way home (for more cat food and some other items). The only other store that I really need to go to before school starts is Skechers.
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Daily 3 - Best Friends
So I've never been one to have a lot of close friends. It was easier in high school but as an adult, I've found that becoming close friends with someone is more difficult - especially after moving to a brand new city. I developed many acquaintances but no really close friends that I call up and shoot the breeze with. One of my Scrabble friends, however, just moved from Austin to San Antonio and we've been doing stuff together so there's a closer friendship in the making. Today's daily three are my three closest and longest friends.
1. Kirsten - I've known Kirsten since we were probably toddlers. My aunt and uncle were friends of her parents. I spent many summers visiting my aunt and got to know Kirsten. Starting in 7th grade we were in the same school and have been friends ever since. She is a music professor in Nacogdoches and probably the smartest person I know.
2. Kim - Kim and I met in the 9th grade at Valleyview Junior High. She commented on my suspenders I was wearing and just started talking. She was also in band so we became fast friends. She moved away after (or maybe during) our sophomore year, but we stayed in touch through letters and phone. I visited her in Mississippi during college and was in her wedding. She was in both of my weddings.
3. Pam - We met while working my first teaching job at Valleyview. She sent me a very nice thank you note for something at school and we chatted after school in the teacher's lounge one day. We commiserated with each other about relationships, raising kids, teaching, etc. She left Valleyview the next year but I encouraged her to take a job at another middle school doing yearbook and speech (which is what I taught) - she has been there ever since. She's had a rough life - her daughter had cystic fibrosis and died several years ago. Her dad died in a car accident before then and she had a nephew that was killed in a work accident. I don't know how she has gotten through it all but I've tried to be there for her.
All three of these ladies were in both of my weddings along with my cousin, Amanda. The only person that was also in my first wedding was my former best friend Robin. I wrote a post about that several years ago. Still never figured out what went wrong there, but I've moved on from it.
1. Kirsten - I've known Kirsten since we were probably toddlers. My aunt and uncle were friends of her parents. I spent many summers visiting my aunt and got to know Kirsten. Starting in 7th grade we were in the same school and have been friends ever since. She is a music professor in Nacogdoches and probably the smartest person I know.
2. Kim - Kim and I met in the 9th grade at Valleyview Junior High. She commented on my suspenders I was wearing and just started talking. She was also in band so we became fast friends. She moved away after (or maybe during) our sophomore year, but we stayed in touch through letters and phone. I visited her in Mississippi during college and was in her wedding. She was in both of my weddings.
3. Pam - We met while working my first teaching job at Valleyview. She sent me a very nice thank you note for something at school and we chatted after school in the teacher's lounge one day. We commiserated with each other about relationships, raising kids, teaching, etc. She left Valleyview the next year but I encouraged her to take a job at another middle school doing yearbook and speech (which is what I taught) - she has been there ever since. She's had a rough life - her daughter had cystic fibrosis and died several years ago. Her dad died in a car accident before then and she had a nephew that was killed in a work accident. I don't know how she has gotten through it all but I've tried to be there for her.
All three of these ladies were in both of my weddings along with my cousin, Amanda. The only person that was also in my first wedding was my former best friend Robin. I wrote a post about that several years ago. Still never figured out what went wrong there, but I've moved on from it.
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Daily 3 - IKEA
Yesterday I spent about an hour and a half at IKEA getting stuff for my library this year. I'm hoping that I'll be better organized this year and won't get buried under paperwork and stuff. Here are three things I got at IKEA to help me in this process:
1. Three shelf drawer unit - Planning on using this to store printer paper under my side desk so it's easily accessible but also out of the way.
2. Storage Boxes - I found a variety of boxes that I can use to store dry erase markers, pencils, and other items as needed.
3. Side tables - Not so much for organization but to put in my seating areas near my comfy chairs where I can put books that students might pick up and read.
1. Three shelf drawer unit - Planning on using this to store printer paper under my side desk so it's easily accessible but also out of the way.
2. Storage Boxes - I found a variety of boxes that I can use to store dry erase markers, pencils, and other items as needed.
3. Side tables - Not so much for organization but to put in my seating areas near my comfy chairs where I can put books that students might pick up and read.
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Daily 3 - Three Days
Sorry I've bailed for a few days. Josh and his girlfriend have been here and just let today. Today's daily three will be three things I've done the last three days.
1. Thursday - I met with my district library coordinator to plan a digital breakout to do at our upcoming back to school library meeting. I then went to my campus and created the breakout and did some work that was actually productive.
2. Friday - Dropped Matt off for a liver biopsy. He's potentially participating in a research study for his fatty liver and had to have a biopsy done. I then did laundry and house cleaning in preparation for Josh and his girlfriend coming.
3. Saturday - Went to Six Flags Fiesta Texas and rode roller coasters with Josh and Emmalee. It was hot and some of the line waits were long. We got six rides in before we called it a day. We took them to dinner at a local Italian restaurant.
Josh and Emmalee headed back today so hopefully, I'll get back on schedule with blogging and other stuff I need to get done.
1. Thursday - I met with my district library coordinator to plan a digital breakout to do at our upcoming back to school library meeting. I then went to my campus and created the breakout and did some work that was actually productive.
2. Friday - Dropped Matt off for a liver biopsy. He's potentially participating in a research study for his fatty liver and had to have a biopsy done. I then did laundry and house cleaning in preparation for Josh and his girlfriend coming.
3. Saturday - Went to Six Flags Fiesta Texas and rode roller coasters with Josh and Emmalee. It was hot and some of the line waits were long. We got six rides in before we called it a day. We took them to dinner at a local Italian restaurant.
Josh and Emmalee headed back today so hopefully, I'll get back on schedule with blogging and other stuff I need to get done.
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Daily 3 - Jobs
I've been a librarian for 8 years now. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made. I actually enjoy my job and am looking forward to going back to work in a few weeks. Today's daily three are other jobs I've had:
1. Hostess at Denny's Restaurant - This was my very first job ever. My sister was a waitress at this restaurant and suggested me for the hostess job. I basically sat people dining in and ran the cash register. I only worked the job for a few months - it was a summer gig after my first year in college.
2. Snackbar Cashier at Walmart - This was my second official job that I worked briefly while in college. I made sandwiches, popped popcorn, and sold various snack bar items. I happened to get pregnant while I was employed there (no, not AT the store, just during that time period). I had pretty bad morning (afternoon, and evening) sickness for several months and I don't think the smells of the snack bar (like the BBQ or taco meat) really helped.
3. Yearbook Sales Associate - I did this after teaching for 5 years. I had enough of the students and wanted something different. My yearbook rep at the time was looking to hire an assistant and I got the job. I traveled to about 35 schools in the Panhandle and helped them in the creation of their yearbooks. I designed covers, pages, installed printers, etc. I developed a lot of my technology skills through this job. I did this job for five years until I had to return to teaching in order to get health insurance and benefits after getting divorced.
1. Hostess at Denny's Restaurant - This was my very first job ever. My sister was a waitress at this restaurant and suggested me for the hostess job. I basically sat people dining in and ran the cash register. I only worked the job for a few months - it was a summer gig after my first year in college.
2. Snackbar Cashier at Walmart - This was my second official job that I worked briefly while in college. I made sandwiches, popped popcorn, and sold various snack bar items. I happened to get pregnant while I was employed there (no, not AT the store, just during that time period). I had pretty bad morning (afternoon, and evening) sickness for several months and I don't think the smells of the snack bar (like the BBQ or taco meat) really helped.
3. Yearbook Sales Associate - I did this after teaching for 5 years. I had enough of the students and wanted something different. My yearbook rep at the time was looking to hire an assistant and I got the job. I traveled to about 35 schools in the Panhandle and helped them in the creation of their yearbooks. I designed covers, pages, installed printers, etc. I developed a lot of my technology skills through this job. I did this job for five years until I had to return to teaching in order to get health insurance and benefits after getting divorced.
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
Daily 3 - College Classes
I started college in the Fall of 1988 as a music business major. I tried accounting twice before I decided that the "business" part was not for me. I didn't want to be a band director and I didn't have the drive to practice and be a performance major. I got pregnant with Josh early 1990 and after having him I decided to switch majors to speech education with a minor in English. It took longer to graduate because of all of this but I did graduate Summa Cum Laude in May 1995. These were some of my favorite classes:
1. Band - even though I dropped music as my major, I stayed in band all 7 years (my last year was technically an internship). I'm still and will always be a band geek. I still play in a community band here in San Antonio.
2. Persuasion - This was one of my speech classes that I really enjoyed. We had to do a bit of persuasive speaking, but I enjoyed learning about the psychological aspects involved in persuasion.
3. Debate - I was dreading this class when I first signed up for it because I had never understood how debate works and didn't think I would do well with it. The first time I nailed someone during cross-examination, I was hooked. I loved the logic of debate. I think if I hadn't become a teacher I might have considered getting involved in law. It's hard to win an argument with me if you don't have evidence (or good logic) to back up your claims.
1. Band - even though I dropped music as my major, I stayed in band all 7 years (my last year was technically an internship). I'm still and will always be a band geek. I still play in a community band here in San Antonio.
2. Persuasion - This was one of my speech classes that I really enjoyed. We had to do a bit of persuasive speaking, but I enjoyed learning about the psychological aspects involved in persuasion.
3. Debate - I was dreading this class when I first signed up for it because I had never understood how debate works and didn't think I would do well with it. The first time I nailed someone during cross-examination, I was hooked. I loved the logic of debate. I think if I hadn't become a teacher I might have considered getting involved in law. It's hard to win an argument with me if you don't have evidence (or good logic) to back up your claims.
Sunday, July 14, 2019
Daily 3 - Moving
So yesterday Matt and I went to dinner for our anniversary with some friends of ours that just bought a house. We went over to see the house after dinner and didn't get back until really late so I didn't have time to post a daily 3 as I pretty much just fell into bed and went to sleep. We are going over there shortly to help them with unpacking. Having moved a few times in the past 8 years, today's daily three are the best things I paid for in moving:
1. Moving guys and a truck. When I bought the house I'm in, I had planned to borrow a trailer from a fellow teacher but of course, it would RAIN the weekend I'm moving. I rented a U-Haul truck at the last minute. When I discovered that big guys (Matt and his friend Jason) don't necessarily equal strength, I called to see if I could get a couple of moving guys. They were by far the best money I ever spent. Even though I was only moving a couple of blocks away, they loaded up all the big stuff and my boxes and unloaded them in 2 hours.
2. Installing a pet door. I actually had to buy a door and the pet door and have both installed. The door to the back yard had a big pane of glass in the middle of it.
3. Garage door opener. I've been spoiled by being able to park my car in the garage. (Note that only 1/2 of the garage is clean) I don't really have to deal with frosty/icy mornings anymore, but it's nice to enter and exit via the garage.
1. Moving guys and a truck. When I bought the house I'm in, I had planned to borrow a trailer from a fellow teacher but of course, it would RAIN the weekend I'm moving. I rented a U-Haul truck at the last minute. When I discovered that big guys (Matt and his friend Jason) don't necessarily equal strength, I called to see if I could get a couple of moving guys. They were by far the best money I ever spent. Even though I was only moving a couple of blocks away, they loaded up all the big stuff and my boxes and unloaded them in 2 hours.
2. Installing a pet door. I actually had to buy a door and the pet door and have both installed. The door to the back yard had a big pane of glass in the middle of it.
3. Garage door opener. I've been spoiled by being able to park my car in the garage. (Note that only 1/2 of the garage is clean) I don't really have to deal with frosty/icy mornings anymore, but it's nice to enter and exit via the garage.
Friday, July 12, 2019
Daily 3 - Happy Anniversary
Today is my anniversary. Matt and I have been married 5 years now. It's not quite a milestone yet. Richard and I were married for a little over 5 years. I'm certain that this marriage will last quite a lot longer than my previous one. Tonight we went out for pizza as part of a social gathering with Matt's work. The problem was that the restaurant couldn't sit everyone together so we mostly just had a table to ourselves. It was crowded and took quite a while but pizza is Matt's favorite food. I don't really like crowds and waiting but that is part of my introverted status. Tomorrow we are going to a fancier restaurant for our celebratory dinner. We're going with two Scrabble friends of ours. They got engaged about 6 months ago and they just closed on a house today.
Today's daily 3 are things I love about Matt:
1. He's smart. He is an intelligent man and likes to read. He also likes that I'm smart which is a relief. I think that my brain was intimidating to other men I've dated.
2. He likes to play Scrabble and ride roller coasters. We actually met because of this. He had a profile on CatholicMatch.com that mentioned he liked to play Scrabble and go to theme parks. That intrigued me so I contacted him. He wrote back and then we emailed for a few weeks before he asked me out on a date.
3. He's oblivious to other women. Matt is basically the antithesis of my ex-husband. Richard seemed to need constant validation and ego boosts. He liked women that needed his help. He always had his eye elsewhere. It took Matt 2 months to kiss me. He is oblivious to other women and doesn't have a jealous bone in my body. I have no reason to be jealous of him or question his whereabouts. He has no interest in strip clubs, dirty magazines, or porn site. It's quite a relief.
Today's daily 3 are things I love about Matt:
1. He's smart. He is an intelligent man and likes to read. He also likes that I'm smart which is a relief. I think that my brain was intimidating to other men I've dated.
2. He likes to play Scrabble and ride roller coasters. We actually met because of this. He had a profile on CatholicMatch.com that mentioned he liked to play Scrabble and go to theme parks. That intrigued me so I contacted him. He wrote back and then we emailed for a few weeks before he asked me out on a date.
3. He's oblivious to other women. Matt is basically the antithesis of my ex-husband. Richard seemed to need constant validation and ego boosts. He liked women that needed his help. He always had his eye elsewhere. It took Matt 2 months to kiss me. He is oblivious to other women and doesn't have a jealous bone in my body. I have no reason to be jealous of him or question his whereabouts. He has no interest in strip clubs, dirty magazines, or porn site. It's quite a relief.
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Daily 3 - My Library
Sorry I haven't posted in a couple of days. I left on Tuesday morning to drive up to Austin to attend a short library conference. I attended a meeting at 11:00, went to lunch with some people from SA, then found out my session after lunch had been canceled. I booked a hotel via Priceline so I headed up there to check in. I had dinner with Marty. (Yes, THAT Marty - ex-boyfriend, Marty) We had a nice time catching up and he even paid for dinner. Yes, I told my husband that I was having dinner with him and he was perfectly fine about it. On Wednesday, I attended two other sessions and was able to leave early and get back to SA by 2:30 or so. I woke up early that day so I ended up taking a nap.
This morning I headed up to my school to work in my library. I've been thinking about rearranging it (again) and wanted to get that worked out. Last year, I ditched the Dewey Decimal system and genrefied my entire collection. It's mostly bookstore-like now. If you want books on War, there's a section for that.
I spent a few hours there and today's daily three are the three things I love about my library:
1. It's spacious. There's a lot of room for a high school library with about 12,500 books, 15 tables, comfy chairs, and more.
2. My new comfy chairs. I got a grant last year for comfortable seating in the library. It was called "Seating for Reading" in hopes that it would encourage more students to curl up with a book. I got 16 new chairs in the grant and they are spread out in the library. Last year I had to be the "Chair Police" and kick students out of the chairs if they weren't reading. Now that I've submitted my grant results, I'll let them use them as needed.
3. Games. I have multiple games available for check out in the library. Some I bought with my own money, several came from a Donor's Choose grant. Students love to play games during lunch and I check out the games so it helps with my circulation statistics.
This morning I headed up to my school to work in my library. I've been thinking about rearranging it (again) and wanted to get that worked out. Last year, I ditched the Dewey Decimal system and genrefied my entire collection. It's mostly bookstore-like now. If you want books on War, there's a section for that.
I spent a few hours there and today's daily three are the three things I love about my library:
1. It's spacious. There's a lot of room for a high school library with about 12,500 books, 15 tables, comfy chairs, and more.
2. My new comfy chairs. I got a grant last year for comfortable seating in the library. It was called "Seating for Reading" in hopes that it would encourage more students to curl up with a book. I got 16 new chairs in the grant and they are spread out in the library. Last year I had to be the "Chair Police" and kick students out of the chairs if they weren't reading. Now that I've submitted my grant results, I'll let them use them as needed.
3. Games. I have multiple games available for check out in the library. Some I bought with my own money, several came from a Donor's Choose grant. Students love to play games during lunch and I check out the games so it helps with my circulation statistics.
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