The clock keeps ticking

Okay- so today is the 7th of July.

This is simply crazy!
One month from today I complete the paper work at my new district.
How can that be?

Breathe....

I am so excited!
I have to admit I am going through MAJOR withdrawal from my little guy and V.
2+ weeks together 24/7 and now there is hardly even time to talk!
Soon, I will be seeing them all the time....

4th of July was fairly anti-climatic for me.
Being sick really did not encourage any outrageous behavior.
Oh well- too old for that business anyway. ha ha ha
I was able to see a little of 32 Below- a good local band.
And, of course, hang out with the family.
Cat was in town for the holiday and that was a good time.
I worked and made some money (which at this point is vital), and rested up for another weekend at the restaurant.

I have yet to unpack from H-town.
Pathetic, I know.
That definitely makes it difficult to begin packing for KC!

This weekend and early next week--- plus, begin the curriculum....

I am very excited-- the 8th graders read "The Diary of Anne Frank", which I think will be very interesting to teach... Plus, there are tons of short stories and poems- sounds familiar to the past two years with my freshmen. I am not sad Dickens did not jump out at me in my quick overview of the texts... I will deeply miss teaching the history of the French Revolution. Yikes. But, Mr. O would be proud of me, considering he thought I was off in la-la land all of AP European History... Only 50% of me was. :-)

Okay- must be off to make money....
The joys of my very difficult life. ha ha

Independence Day Weekend...

The first month of summer is almost over.
I am not sure if that should make me feel super anxious or excited.
But, I do feel both- strongly, at the same time.

I am back in the land of 10,000 lakes for a short few weeks.
It will fly on by- trying to be realistic.

I sure do love it here this time of year.
This coming weekend is one of my favorites.
I am sure I will have to work some, but will still be able to go out
and enjoy the pleasure of being well over 21.

The added excitement is, of course, that another sister will be in town for the weekend.
We travel in packs.
I really like Cat's friends.
Its fun to go out with them.
Its difficult to believe that almost a decade separates us.
I am so mature for my age (cough cough)...
Perhaps an old soul, but there is a reason I enjoy teaching 7-9th graders.

The actual 4th of July is a week away and my tiny little town is picking up momentum with full force. Which, honestly, is most of the fun. Who wants to see a bunch of people they already know?
Okay- so that is fun too.
Overall, summer is good... I am trying very hard to just enjoy every moment.

I wish I could think of the motivational lines Cat would whip out right now... Shoot, where's a sister when you need one?

Things are a'happening

Well, I am back in the land of Oz.
It has been hot.
Not normal hot,
HOT hot.
I am told I will adjust-
not grow comfortable, but adjust to it.

The past few days have been very productive.
I have spend quality time with my nephew (going on 2.5 weeks straight)
and sisters.
Always a good time.

Also-
have a place to live in August!
Yeah, no longer homeless.

I have this terrible thing-
things just kinda fall into place for me.
I have challenges, do not get me wrong...
I have made terrible decisions, but right now,
it seems as though things are going to be okay.

Back to Minnesota tomorrow-
now that the subaru is fixed and up for the ride!

Being an auntie

In the past couple of weeks I have been able to see all of my nieces and nephews.

I LOVE that time.

The oldest, Jackson, is going to be a senior in high school.
She amazes me.
Ranked in the top 10% of her class (or would that be 5%)
Is so very kind.
Making it through those issues of high school.
One more year and then she is, hopefully, off to Minneapolis to the University of Minnesota.
Or so the whole family hopes!

Then, Ry.
I can remember the summer I met Ry.
I hope to never forget.
He was the goofiest 8 year old boy I had ever met.
I loved him instantly.
So sweet and such a boy at the same time.
Preparing for a summer of hockey camps and working with my brother....

Then, Rik.
I ran over to their house before leaving for Kansas...
She had printed out practice math worksheets.
For fun, she was completing multiplication tables.
I wanted to hug her.
As a middle-schooler, it is a time of change.
But again, she will stay sweet.

The last time I saw my California niece, she was a little under the weather.
She wanted to nap through dinner and was able to turn down french fries.
That’s an indication of how ill she was.
Who can turn down fries?
I am hoping to see them again soon,
but with the move to Kansas I know I am limiting it a bit.

And, of course, the toddler I had not seen for 5 weeks.
He walks.
I expected he would take some steps.
Not love to be chased throughout the house.
Minnesota family prepare- a little tornado is on his way!
He talks.
He eats toast for breakfast...

I would, for nothing in the world, give up my nieces and nephews.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE being an aunt.

It's the end of the world

It's the end of the world as I know it.

Many things are working against me right now...

I am jobless.
I hate the idea of no income coming in
Makes me feel incredibly anxious and nauseous.

I am homeless.
For the past few nights I stayed with my best friend.
But now?
Back with ma and pa.

I know I will be moving again soon...
That adds to this ulcer inducing state of mind I am currently in.

BUT-
I know things will work out.
I will find a summer job.
I will find an apartment in Olathe that I can afford.
I will enjoy my new job.

Breathe.
Breathe.
Breathe.

But, you know what?
I get to see my sisters tomorrow.
I get to hang out with Vic on her birthday.
I get to give the baby a million kisses.

For some reason, that makes me feel so much better...

It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything will be just fine, everything will be alright.

Mother's Day

Today is a day to celebrate our moms.

Last night, I was thinking about how many people I am close to, are celebrating mother's day this year, for this first time as the mom.

Of course, there is Vix and Coen. He missed this holiday by a weekend last year, so this is it. Their first mother's day. We have always been close, but it amazes me every time I see him, that he is hers. My sister has a son. He is real. Last summer when I stayed with her for the summer, it was so easy to forget he was real- he would sleep. For hours. On me. It was like snuggles. Now, he laughs, talks, and says "mama" and "Dada". But, the whole thing is surreal. I wonder, sometimes if it is possible to love him too much.

But, also there is my best friend in the whole wide world. The girl, who, throughout high school NEVER wanted kids. Did not even think they were cute! Always snarled at the idea of marriage and family. Now, 10 years later, she is the first of our little group to have a baby. And it amazes me EVERY day how in love she is. People are right when they say babies change people... She has this compassion and love that is overflowing now, she had it before, but was more discrete with it.

But, then, there are the moms that are celebrating the 30+ years as a mother. My mommy. She drives me nuts, I think we all know that. We have been compared to an old married couple more than once. Yet, I call her every night just to say hi and see how her day went. She isn't filled with an overflow of advice, which is wonderful and annoying while growing up. Yet, so far in my life, she has helped me feel happy with the choices I have made and supports me whether they work out or not. My life's obstacles may be simplified in her eyes (she has a small obsession with me having kids someday), but knows better than to push the issue. She has a huge heart and so much love it is hard to let her irritate me for long. Good God, I hope that is how she feels about me.....

Happy Mother's Day.

What have I done?

For the past couple of days, my mind has been filled with the idea of, 'what have I done in the past 28 years'? Friday night Julie and I went to a birthday party (80) for a man we have known our entire lives. His daughter made a toast to him, and it listed all of his accomplishments. He is a veteran of the armed forces, father, grandfather, great-grandfather... All these things his children are so proud of him for....
It made me think.
Saturday, we went to visit my mom's uncle. One of my favorite relatives in the world. It may sound trivial, but he always knew which one each of us is. He didn't need to go through the whole list of names, it just came to him. That is not why I like him so much--- I have childhood days filled with Animal Stripes Gum, soda from the station store, and this random game we would play with pennies. Of course, the name element did help. Again, though.... We started talking with Herb about all he has done in his 93 years here. It made me feel scared that maybe when I am at that stage in life, people will only have quiet to share with me.
So, today I am going to do something I will remember. That Coen will talk about when I am old. That, if I have children, my own children will laugh about.... I am going to do it....
Okay. Maybe not today.