Oooo, Giveaway!

Mrs. Mordecai over at Be It Ever So Humble is hosting a giveaway of awesomeness! Check it out!

Teacher Thoughts

Today's class was really inspiring. I was just overflowing with ideas for my students. When I got into my car, I wrote down everything I could come up with. I didn't even listen to the radio on the way home, I just reflected on my teaching. It was a really great feeling. I have a rather long list (almost a page) of ideas I've gleaned from the three classes I've taken this summer. I'm hoping this year will be much better than last.

We went to the thrift store today, and we got a lot of fun things. I bought a new purse, *B* got new shorts, together we got a french press coffee maker, and we got his nephew a little plaid skirt that will be a kilt for the renaissance festival! I will definitely be going back there.

I'm having a hard time saving money even though we're living with *B*'s parents. In the past week, we've been to the thrift store, Wal-mart, Chevy's, and random food venues. The worst part - I'm scheduled to go out with friends Thursday and Friday.

I think - I hope - what's going to happen is that the second we get the house, we tighten down. I plan on getting the Sunday paper to clip coupons. We won't be going out to dinner nearly as often, and I won't be stopping random places for junk food. I'm thinking about trying the envelope system, or at least keeping a spending journal. I also want to keep a running tally of how much things cost. I had heard of a scanner than itemizes your receipts, but I can do that myself if I am disciplined enough.

We hopefully have 8-10 more days before we move. That feels like such a long time still. There's so much that can go wrong between then and now. All I can do is wait and pray.

I Feel MUCH Better

Last night, when I finally laid down to sleep, I asked for help with the stressors in my life. I had a long hash out of what I needed and for what I was thankful. I, then, woke up this morning a full 3 hours after I wanted to be up, better than the night before. By mid-afternoon, I was feeling alright. *B* and I had a nice snuggle and a talk about what's bothering me. Now, I'm feeling much better. I'm still working on the God thing. Above all, I think prayer is working well for me. I don't know why, and I don't know how, but it makes me feel better.

I started my summer classes back up, and Gail from work is teaching my class. This development is good because she knows me, but bad if I don't perform well! I think it'll be alright. I get to go in late to school tomorrow, which is nice.

After class today, I went to Borders. I have a coupon for $5 off of any book, but I couldn't find anything that struck my fancy. So I came home and hopped on What Should I Read Next to find something I like. I'll be back at Borders tomorrow, list in tow.

A few months ago, a Real Simple blog got me to thinking about this question: what do I want my life to be like in five years. Since then, I've been creating a collage (albeit from Google images pics) of what I want in my life in five years. Tonight, I've worked it into something that I think fits pretty well. It's definitely a work in progress as it reflects how one's priorities change over time. Even from the time I first started, my priorities have shifted. But here it is, in its unfinished glory:


It's a tad bit blurry, but overall, it demonstrates the major areas of my life that I'd like to develop. From top left, clockwise: having a home, having a family, traveling here and abroad, and cultivating hobbies.

At the Risk of Sounding Whiney...

I'm really unhappy today. I mean I'm really, really unhappy. It all started when...

I woke up this morning a little grumpy because it was early and I had a late night. Despite all the bug bites up and down my legs, I was good. On the way to my mom's, I even sang a little bit with my radio. I got to Mom's and played with her kitten, Shadow. And off we went to church.

Church. Was. TERRIBLE! The priest barely spoke English. The entire congregation was like a droning mob. There were no insights into how to live one's life. It was, without a doubt, not where I wanted to be. And just like when I was a kid, I got annoyed when my mom enjoyed it. I don't know why, but I did. I was a grouch, but I got through it.

We went to breakfast at Denny's, and I mellowed out after a little while. We had a normal breakfast, and went over to Wal-mart. I was much happier then, and I even picked up some more supplies for my kits.

I played some more with Mom's kitten, then went over to Dad's. I had an alright - even good - time, and got a look at some of the furniture that we are generously receiving when we move. I swung by, picked up some ice cream and food for *B* and his family, and came back "home."

When I got home though, crap hit the fan. I was just hugely grouchy and really didn't want to be around anyone, least of all *B*. He didn't do anything wrong. He's being his normal self. I just wasn't having any of it. I know the catalyst was the awesome post on www.pioneerwoman.com about how she met her husband the other night.

Here's what I want to know - why am I so worked up about having kids already? Why do I love reading about other people's lives so much? How can I satiate this creative need I have inside when I'm not a creative person? How can I get over the last 10 days in such close quarters with everyone? What am I going to do if the house doesn't go through in time?

Even as I type, I feel constricted and choked. I feel guilty that I want to be alone so much. I can't stop thinking about how nice it was in Florida, and I don't mean the weather.

Productive Day!

Today, I finally bit the bullet and cleaned out my car. It still had pine needles in it from our Christmas tree! Now, it is spic and span, and I know exactly what I need to round out my car kit. Using information from SafelyGatheredIn.blogspot.com and other random sources, I've collected all the information I need for a full car kit. My emergency car kit includes:

Antifreeze

Batteries (AA, AAA, D)

Blankets/Towels

Books

Bungee Cords

Cash ($20)

Change of Clothes

Crates

Duct Tape

First Aid Kit

Flashlight

Glass Breaker

Hand Sanitizer

High-Energy Snacks

Jack

Jumper Cables

Lug Wrench

Notebook

Oil (5W-20)

Pens/Pencils

Pocket Knife

Rope

Shop Towels

Tire Pressure Gauge

Toilet Paper in Ziploc

Umbrella

Water

Wet Wipes

Windshield Washer Fluid

After cleaning out my car, I took some of the clippings from the grape vine out back, and I wove a wreath out of it. I'm holding off deciding if I like it until it dries out and turns brown.
I also made a really healthy, yummy lunner. I made Mexican chicken wraps, with leftover greens (squash, asparagus, green beans), and leftover peaches. One of these days, I'll get around to taking pictures more often. I also made Fourth of July Potato Salad. I used red, white, and blue potatoes for that touch of holiday festivity.

*B* had a project today that made me very happy! From half a palate he got from work, he fashioned me two mint planters. I will post pics as soon as it's painted. I'm so excited - way to use what we have to fashion something useful (and free)!

I just found out I can use my SD card in my laptop! In honor of this joyous occasion, pictures of the animals!

Ubay - A sweet, old, midget we like to call the "scabby tabby."

Molly - a super sweet german shepherd/boxer mix.

Prunella - She's slightly senile, but not as bitey as she used to be.

Wicket - Can't you just feel the love?!

Night Thoughts

At night, lying in bed when I'm trying to sleep, I have deep thoughts that I want to write about. When I get out of bed to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard as the case may be), I don't remember any of it. And here I am, trying to put it all back together.

I feel guilty that I didn't ask my parents if they wanted to get together for July 4th. So instead, I asked my mom to go to church with me Sunday, which is something I haven't done outside of school in literally years. She was surprised, but receptive. I'm going to call my dad tomorrow and swing by his house after my mom and I finish up. *B* and I are meeting up with Michelle and Bill next Friday, and I've asked Kimber if she wants to hang out next Thursday. I'm really trying to reconnect with people I've lost touch with.

I feel like I have no purpose during this time off. During the school year, I have purpose out my ears, but not so much now. I'm slowly whittling away at lesson plans I have to create. But that is a VERY slow process that comes in productive spurts. My classes start up again this Monday, which will actually be a welcome change.

We have 12-14 days until we can move into the house. Being under the two week mark is both very exciting and very scary. We've opened so many boxes, and they will all have to be repacked. If anything will fail, it will be soon. I think that I'm afraid of being told we can't move in again or that I've made huge financial mistakes during this waiting period. I've been saving a lot, but spending a fair amount as well.

So far on our 72 hour kits, we have backpacks, emergency blankets, and utility knives. I'm struggling with finding a good first aid kit. What should it have in it? How much is appropriate? I'll be making a new medicine bag for my purse after we move in. At one point, I had pain killers, benedryl, lactaid, dramamine, band aids, and much more in my purse at any given time. But now that a) we've moved and b) my purse has all but fallen apart, I no longer carry it with me. I'd like to go to the thrift shop to see if I can find a new purse. As for my car kit, I'm sure that I could finish it out really quickly if I shop my belongings, but I've been too lazy to do it. Perhaps tomorrow I can take the five minutes I need to do it. I even have an empty crate in which I can put it all somewhere in this house!

For now, I'm just counting the days and trying to enjoy each one as it comes.

Happier Day

Today, I ordered the first of my supplies for my 72-hour kit from the REI outlet. It comes in July 15th, just about when we move into the house. It's really pretty, as shown below, and the biggest I could find.
When I can, I'll be gathering supplies to stock it and my car pack. *B* is really into the idea of self-sufficiency and preparedness, too. We're both very excited to get started.

There is a gorgeous storm outside. The lightning is particularly bright tonight. The power even went out just now. I haven't heard a good summer storm in a long time.

Yesterday, we went to see my mom and her kitten. It really made me nostalgic to be back in the area. I really would love to move back there when I'm more settled in life. I love it because it's open, friendly, and comforting. I miss all the space and the animals. Unfortunately, the main town in the area is really starting to build up, so it will never really be the same when I get back there. But I can always hope.

Mom's kitten, Shadow, when we watched her for a few days.