A Notion for Today

Lost

2009-05-26T10:06:00.001-04:00

I feel lost in life. Sort of lost my way recently.

I would love some directions...anyone got any?

Being happy where you are.

2009-05-14T21:53:00.003-04:00

Why is it hard to be happy where you are? Physically, in life, emotionally.

Sometimes I play the game with myself that life is always greener on that other side of the fence. But have I noticed how lovely the green is right here...with me.

I look at friends that are married, friends that make more money than I do, friends that have lovely children and I think...why am I not there.

But then I remember: I love my job. I love my family. I have the best of friends that surround me, support me, and love me. I have the best house even if it is pest ridden. I have a great car. And in general I am very happy.

So, why don't I remember that all the time?

Turning 30

2009-03-14T20:55:00.002-04:00

So, tonight I find myself in the last evening of my twenties. I am excited about my 30s. I don't know why, but 30 seems like it will be a good year! Maybe it is just where I am in life. I think I am a little more comfortable in my skin than when I was in my twenties. So, goodbye twenties...here I come thirties. (Be nice to me 30s!)

A day in which I need to rant...

2009-02-11T18:28:00.002-05:00

Two separate times today I looked at people and said, "I can't." I very rarely have those words in my vocabulary. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed these days. School is hectic, okay...that's a euphemism. National Boards are due in less than a month. And in about a month I turn 30.

Is it possible to get a time out in life for a brief moment to pull oneself together?

History

2009-01-20T12:12:00.003-05:00

There are a few moments in my life...that I will always remember.

Two of them are probably the moments you will remember too!

9/11

Obama being sworn in

These will be moments that I will tell my kids about.

Snow Day

2009-01-20T08:39:00.003-05:00

There are 3 inches of snow on the ground in Raleigh. No school for me.

Today's agenda...

Stay in pajamas
Drink lots of coffee
Watch Obama get sworn in
Work on National Boards
Laundry
Dishes

:-)

A Little Change

2009-01-06T21:18:00.002-05:00

Thought I would change the background for the new year...not sure if I like it yet.

2009

2009-01-01T17:51:00.002-05:00

How do you start a year? I am full of hope. I tend to not make new years resolutions because they seem to always be broken after a few hours, days, or weeks. But I do like to reflect on where I was last year and where I am now in my life.

2009 will have several benchmark events for my family.

Mom will turn 60.
Kate will turn 25.
I will turn 30.
Lisa will be having her Jesus year. (she is turning 33).
I will be submitting my national boards. (I won't get the results until November).
We are having the first Schelbe Family Beach Blast.

I am looking forward to this year, what it will bring into my life...what it will take away from my life. The hope of a new beginning is like the first snowfall...everything is clean and white. It is truly majestic.

Here's to 2009 and what it brings to you and yours!

Invitation

2008-12-06T09:16:00.002-05:00

Everyone is invited to my showcase...it's December 12th, at 7:00PM - 11:00 PM. It's $35 per person which includes wine/beer and a little food. Let me know if you want to come and I'll give more details...like when to get your ticket. It's going to be at the Parrish House Center of St. Michael's in Cary.

Thanksgiving Thankfulness

2008-11-26T11:22:00.003-05:00

Things that I am Thankful for:

My family and friends.
My job (& job security).
My lovely co-workers.
The greatest semester of students, yet.
Waiting for my mom and dad to arrive at my house for the holiday weekend.
Turkey & Stuffing.
Dancing...my showcase is on December 12.
The best neighbors a girl could ask for.
The most supportive community group.
My friend's babies.
My house.
My car.
The ability to be challenged. (National Boards).

These are just a few....there are many more, but who wants to read a dissertation of thankfulness.

October.... and slugs.

2008-10-20T17:57:00.002-04:00

Why does October feel like the longest month of the year?

Here are my thoughts

everything is back in full swing.
We are almost 1/4 done with the school year, but haven't had a decent break and Thanksgiving feels light years away.
The weather turns cold..

Now onto the next part of the show...Slugs.

I have a slug infestation. They are in my kitchen. They are disgusting. They are gross. And they made me have to go into my crawl space which I believe is the scariest place in the universe and am sure that monsters live there rent free.

I will continue slug patrol next week, but right now I have done massive cleaning and caulking.

Dancing Pictures

2008-09-22T15:24:00.001-04:00

Pictures of Charlotte Competition

Dancing

2008-09-17T21:21:00.003-04:00

I have this little obsession...dancing. I started doing ballroom dancing....I can't stop now. I will be dancing in a competition on Sunday. 12 entries. 6 dances. 2 ballroom gowns. And a good time with my dancing friends. Hopefully I'll be able to post some pictures soon!

Oh, one of the gowns I am borrowing from my inspiration to start dancing. (THANKS ELAINE!) The other one is an altered bridesmaid gown. I am taking my very first bridesmaid gown (Jess's) and making into a fun dancing dress.

By the way...I'll be taking a personal day on Monday...it's the first day I left my students with a substitute.

Almost over..

2008-09-03T21:21:00.002-04:00

The first weekend of August...I ran my car into a retaining wall. :-(

The rest of the story is almost unreal.

1st Rental Car - PT Cruiser

Received on August 11
August 13 - went to leave the house and it had a flat tire
I changed the tire and drove it to the nearest Enterprise
They didn't have any cars left

2nd Rental Car - Toyota Tundra

Received on August 13
August 30 - License plate stolen/lost
September 2 - return to Enterprise
I got notified of a "bulls eye" from a rock on the windshield
Had to be charged $250.00 to cover cost of windshield until their claims department calls me to settle

3rd Rental Car - Nissan Sentra

Received on September 2
Will be turning this car in tomorrow because rumor has it...that my car is ready to be picked up.

I am not going to hold my breath.

A weak moment with back to school shopping!

2008-08-09T22:43:00.004-04:00

I couldn't help myself. I love these shoes.

Making a Ballroom Dance Gown

2008-08-04T12:06:00.003-04:00

Here it is...I am going to attempt to make this dress. I'll keep you posted. My dress will be green! YIKES! Here's to learning how to sew!

My sister's Visit with me.

2008-07-20T18:44:00.002-04:00

Although my sister was sick as a dog...that didn't stop our fun. Here's a little background on us...we like making lists and doing projects together. It's how we spend our fun. Here's what we have done together since she arrived at 11:30 AM on Tuesday...it's Sunday night. (Lisa leaves tomorrow at 5:00 PM...I'm sure we will accomplish more.

In no particular order:

Buy chairs for my front porch
Buy a dress for my ballroom dance showcase
Save plants
Organize my office
Buy, put together, and organize shelves for my basement
Put weather stripping on doors (we did 1 of the 3)
Put river rocks along the side of my house (this included digging an inch of ground up)
Had dinner with Aunt Jane and Carolyn
Dance lessons (twice)
Grocery store
Fix dress for showcase
Haircut for Lisa
Bank to deposit checks
Check into Vegas trip [I couldn't quite swing it :0(... ]
JoAnn's Fabric
Planned Rick's duvet cover
Picked up perscription
Watched 6 movies
Bought 3 lamps and put together
Returned 1 lamp
Made a chocolate cherry cake
Had ice cream 3 times

The only things left on the list are sewing...this is all been accomplished while Lisa either had a temperature or was feeling very sick. Think about what we could have done had she been healthy!

It's been so much fun...and so many projects are done, too!

Four Weeks of Summer Left

2008-07-14T22:32:00.001-04:00

Finally, my summer is beginning. FYI, testifying in court was a lot hard than I thought. I don't think I will blog about it any time soon. If you want to know all the gory details...email me or call me.

My older sister is coming tomorrow....which means fun seester time! We will probably get into projects...I'll keep you posted.

By the way, the ballroom dance lessons are underway. Two more weeks until the performance. We'll see how I do. I have a long way to go.

My lesson in the Justice System

2008-07-09T21:13:00.002-04:00

Without getting into specifics, I sat in a courtroom all day today. I am subpoenaed to testify in a court case. Thank God that my cousin had the time to sit with me all day. I would have been a nervous wreck without her. Thanks, cousin! I am testifying for a formal student in the sentencing part of the hearing. That means we have to wait until the jury comes to a verdict. The jury was out deliberating all day. It is amazing what the protocol is in a superior courtroom. I will write more later once the trial is over, but know the Justice system is an interesting way to spend a couple of days of your summer break.

Let the games begin...

2008-06-28T11:36:00.003-04:00

No, this is not about the impending Olympics.

My summer has begun. Today, I am just resting and unpacking from Nerd Camp. I met some awesome people and feel revitalized from the conference. I can't wait to start working on my lessons and beefing up my curriculum. We had so much fun!

This week's plan...
Lunch with friends
Working out
Reorgainize office
Clean House (parents are coming in for the fourth)

Here's to the beginning of summer.

~jane

Doughnuts are important, but so is Jane.

2008-06-22T11:45:00.002-04:00

This was said to me at church today.

Nerd Camp

2008-06-22T07:26:00.002-04:00

I am heading to nerd camp today. That's right, folks. I'm a nerd and I am proud. Who gets excited about a physics workshop? ME!

I get to spend a week with 20 AP physics teachers where we will learn how to teach this course better. We will also be able to network and work through subjects that we need help with! I am so excited.

Things that most people don't pack when they go to a workshop.

Graphing calculator TI-83+
Physics text book
Solutions manual to physics text

I'll catch you on the flip side. Don't worry...I am stretching the other side of my brain too. I started ballroom dance lessons! (more about that later)

4 days

2008-06-08T08:35:00.002-04:00

Four more days of work this year....next work day is August 15th. Freedom....its a funny thing. I am so excited, but I want to be wise with my time. Here are some things I am doing this summer:

Ballroom dance lessons
AP Physics workshop
Beach trip with my friend Jess
College friends weekend
Visit the family in the 'Burgh
Work on National Boards
Work on AP lesson plans
Hang out with friends
Read books for pleasure
Sleep
Relax
Work on the yard
Sit by the pool
Work out and finally lose that weight.
Sew my quilt and various other things.

I'm not going to be busy at all! HA.

Extraordinary...or maybe not....

2008-05-28T17:55:00.002-04:00

I have always had this feeling that I was meant to be extraordinary. What if I am extraordinary at being ordinary? Maybe I am just a plain jane. What's wrong with that?

Now, I know some of you are reading this thinking that I am being hard on myself...but I am not. Often at work I wonder if anyone notices if I am doing an extraordinary job, then I realize I am just doing my job. I don't really doing anything extraordinary. Why should I be rewarded for doing something that I was asked to do. I am just doing my job. Maybe I am just good at doing what I am asked to do. Maybe I need to worry less about being extraordinary and just be. Be the best, ordinary, plain jane I can be. What will happen then?

My new Baby.

2008-04-29T19:08:00.002-04:00

Since she is so new, I don't have name for her yet, but am pleased to announce the new addition to my family. She has about 40 miles under it's belt...I've been the only driver since mile 14. The light doesn’t do her justice, it’s a really deep, solid blue color.

Under the hood she has 140 hp, 4-cylinder, purrs like a cat engine.

Interior she has air conditioning, cd player, aux input jack for ipod, etc. She has a cool digital odometer & speedometer. She gets 36 mpg on the highway. I have included some pictures. Many friends have had babies this year, so I didn’t want to feel left out. I wanted to share my baby announcement, too! If you are in town...I can’t wait to drive you somewhere, if you are out of town...maybe I can drive and visit you soon!

A new day

2008-04-24T21:38:00.001-04:00

One of my sisters and I have a new name for Thursday...it's Friday Eve. We've decided it sounds better than Thursday.

So, Happy Friday Eve! It's so close I can taste it.

Oh...on the agenda this weekend. Test drive 2-3 cars. Next week...it's probably buying a new car!

YIPPEE!

Countdown

2008-04-23T20:40:00.002-04:00

Okay...

11 school days until the AP Physics Exam
25 school days until the AP Physics Final
31 school days until the last day of finals

Oh my...I can't believe how time flies.

The Meal

2008-04-12T09:57:00.002-04:00

Last weekend was so much fun! We ate a lot...here's our Saturday night meal!

Today...I am starting the big car shopping expedition. More on that later!

Spring Break.

2008-04-04T16:51:00.002-04:00

I am in one of those careers that has built in holidays. I really needed a week off, here came spring break. While I don't want to brag...I think everyone deserves a spring break. Should we adopt the French way of life...I believe they have a 40 weeks of work per year. What are we doing working 50. And who really takes their 2 week vacation these days?

Now, as a teacher I have this whole week off. I went to Washington, DC this past weekend to hang out with my parents. We went to the natural history museum, saw the cherry blossoms, went to the air and space museum, sat at the Hirshorn museum, bought a digital camera, found awesome fabric at G Street Fabrics. As far as meals, we had two awesome meals. One was at the Lost Dog Cafe, one was at Sweet Water Tavern, and the last was at the Dog Fish Grill. Yummy.

I then drove north to a small town just a bit past Baltimore to Abingdon. Here is where I spend 2.5 days with a college roommate, Jess, her husband and 5.5 month old, Mikaela. It was so fun hanging out with a stay at home mom and her daughter.

As far as this weekend, more college friends. Chris and Leah will be here later tonight. I am so excited here is the menu for the weekend.

Friday Dinner: Vegetable Enchiladas, Guacamole, Refried Black Beans, Salsa, and Chips.
Friday Dessert: Chocolate cake or Ice Cream (Moose Tracks)

Saturday Breakfast: Pancakes, Bacon or Sausage, Eggs, Toast, Coffee
Saturday Lunch: Chicken Salad in toasted bread bowls, Grapes, Apples, Root Beer
Saturday Dinner: Spinach Stuffed Chicken, Vegetable Saute Couscous, Salad
Saturday Dessert: Chocolate cake or Ice Cream

Now that I have a digital camera...I start to document more of my life.

10 more weeks until Summer break.

A Bad Day Revisited

2008-02-17T21:46:00.001-05:00

Just so you know this is how my day started...
1] My neighbors were on their porch drinking at 2 AM loudly talking, which kept me awake most of the time between 2AM - 5:30 AM.
2] My automatic coffee maker didn't put the grounds in for me last night...so I had to make my coffee twice because the first pot was just hot water.
3] There was ice on my windshield, which I had to scrap...which required me finding my scrapper since this is the first time this winter I had to scrap.
4] While I was scraping my windsheild, my neighbors were still partying from last night and came out to see how I liked the ice. (I was already a 1/2 hour later than my usual departure from my house to work, due to a sleep in, and they were drunk).
5] I needed gas in my car, gas tank door frozen shut.
6] Pump at gas station wasn't on for the morning yet, so I had to wait 5 minutes for the ever efficient gas attendant to actually turn on the gas.
7] I forgot to drink my orange juice, so I was starving by the time I got to work.
8] Before I got to work today, I had clocked 40 hours of working this week. It's only Thursday.

I think I am having a bad day and possibly a bad week.

AP Physics

2008-02-10T10:34:00.001-05:00

Here I am on a Sunday morning, I just have done 2.5 hours of studying to teach my AP Physics class tomorrow. My head is tired already and it isn't even 11 AM. I have never studied or worked this hard in my life. I love teaching a higher level of physics, but really what is magnetic flux. Seriously that's what I am teaching on Monday.

You know, I don't even think I remember learning about this in college. Also, who really remembers those freshman level classes anyway. You know if I went back to undergrad now, I would get so much more out of those classes. I wished I paid more attention or at least studied a little bit more. (I am a nerd).

Thank God for good students. My students are gracious with me. I think I have them fooled into thinking I might know what I am talking about. Although Friday, they asked if I could go on to the next lesson and I said "No, I just couldn't." The real reason...I looked at my notes and I saw magnetic flux and the internal dialog was, "What the hell is that?" No, we can't go on...I can't let you get too ahead of A day folks. I teach 2 classes of AP Physics students....I meet with them every other day for the entire year. Instead of just having them for a semester.

Well..enough procrastinating. I have 60 Honors Physics lab reports to grade and am trying to work out #4 on that AP Physics Quiz I am giving on Wednesday. I'll leave with this quesition...is it fair to put a question on a quiz that the teacher can't do or understand?

COFFEE

2008-01-26T09:26:00.000-05:00

I hang out with a group of ten women about once a month. We often ask each other questions, last night the question was what are three things that make you happy. Here are my three.

1] My house.
2] My job. (it's new and I love what I am doing)
3] Coffee

The last one is so important because of my little coffee ritual each day. When describing it, my friends said I should write an editorial. So, here it goes.

It's the night before, I am about to go to sleep and I put the water and grounds in my coffee maker. It's not just any coffee, it's my Carmel Truffle Millstone coffee. At 5:35 AM, the gloriousness begins. The coffee starts to brew. I can smell the aroma as I get out of the shower. I know it will warm me inside out.

As I leave for work, I take out 2 travel mugs. Yes, that's 2 mugs. I fill them both as much as I can. I drop a spoon of slenda and a splash of fat-free French Vanilla creamer and stir. As I leave my house, I have a coffee mug in each hand and usually a smile. It's like I am preparing for a big adventure.

The first mug starts getting sipped by the first stoplight on my commute to work. The drive is about 25 minutes, this is just enough time to finish that first cup of coffee. The first cup is mostly to make sure my eyes stay awake while I am driving at the ungodly hour of 6:00AM.

Each morning, I am one of the first cars in the parking lot at work. It's then that I grab the other mug and I get to enjoy the 2nd cup of the morning. That is one of the happiest things I do each day. I really savior and enjoy that 2nd cup. Even when I forget to finish the 2nd cup because work gets away from me, it's the thought that knowing I had the option of a 2nd cup of coffee to enjoy that makes me thankful.

Coffee makes me happy. The taste, the jump of energy. I am thankful for a lot in my life, but I am really thankful for coffee.

Exhaustion

2007-12-09T20:19:00.000-05:00

Have you ever been too tired to eat? Never in my life have I chosen sleep over food while still healthy. When I am sick all I do is sleep. But when I am healthy, I never chose to miss a meal.

Last week that happened. I had a snack to make it until I had enough energy to make it until dinner. At nine o'clock, I awoke on the couch...brushed my teeth and went to sleep and slept through the night! The next day I ate dinner at 4:30 when I got home from work because I could feel my energy level fading fast.

What's the cure for exhaustion? I think I might need a mental health day soon.

My Fall Phobia.

2007-11-15T20:24:00.000-05:00

The acorns are coming...the acorns are coming.

Once a year I am always startled by the acorns that fall from my huge oak tree and hit my roof. The first fall I lived in my house...I thought they were rats in my walls...because I would hear scurrying, then silence. This was the acorns rolling off my roof.

Late at night during a big wind gust it sounds like a bomb being dropped in my bedroom. I heard the first couple fall last night, but the acorns are coming.

So, I have developed a fear of acorns. Do you think that's called acornaphobia? (Don't confuse that with a cornacopia.

Life

2007-11-10T09:45:00.000-05:00

Life lessons are hard to learn. In working with teenagers I seem to see students learn really hard life lessons. To be honest, it hurts my heart sometimes.

This week two students at my school died in a car accident. Didn't anyone tell those children that teenagers are not suppose to die? As I found out the news and found out they were in my co-worker's classes, my heart ached. The bell for first period rang and it was strange as I looked in my student's eyes; they were about to find out about the car accident and that two of their peers had died the night before. As the announcement was made, I couldn't look at my students...only an hour before had I found out the news I had mental pictures of all my students hoping that they weren't my students that had died.

It was surreal that after the announcement was made over the intercom, I was to start teaching physics. As I looked at my students I was hoping that an adult or professional would walk in the room and start telling us what to do. But wait, I was the adult and professional. I was to know what to say and how to say it. I was to be the role model of how to deal with this tragedy.

They don't train you for that in your education classes, only experience helps. I was haunted this week from the memory of my first year teaching. In May, after I taught Jason for 8 months in my first period physics class, he committed suicide. I found out from an email that said URGENT. The days that followed I will always remember. I was the one that emptied his locker. I was asked why I didn't see the red flags. As a friend drove me to the funeral, I barely could walk and had trouble dealing with the reality of Jason's death. This week brought a lot of those memories back. How do you get over the deaths of students?

You don't. You deal with the grief, and you move on with your life and your heart grows for your students. You get around losing students, but you never get over it. Teenagers are not suppose to die.

Saturday Morning Grading

2007-10-20T09:43:00.000-04:00

I am not a big fan of grading papers. If my students would just want to learn...I would grade less. My physical science class, you have to collect everything in order for the students to even do it. In honors physics....I stopped collecting homework because if they don't do homework, they will fail every test and quiz. Although on Friday I collected the homework.

When did students start feeling comfortable in copying homework in the same room as the teacher? I'll admit that I probably copied a homework assignment as a student, but I never did it in front of my teacher. I can't believe them.

What's the world coming to, when our students feel like copying is okay? Now, that I know that they copied, I am going to grade it super tough! Yes, I am mean. Don't take advantage of me.

The Early Morning

2007-10-09T05:35:00.000-04:00

There is a calmness to the morning that I don't experience in any other part of the day. I love the morning. I love the early morning. It's before anything can go wrong. It's before the day has revealed itself. It's before I mess up.

I love the early mornings of my life. Now some might be amazed, but I wake around 5-5:30AM. I leave my house for work around 6AM. I am usually the first car in the faculty parking lot. That always makes me smile for some reason. As I walk down the empty halls, I almost smile about how calm everything. Within in 2 hours, the halls are bustling with staff and students. There's shouting, there's crying, there's laughter. But as I prepare myself for the day, I love my 3 minutes of walking through the school alone.

This morning, as I did my morning routine, I showered, checked email, did my hair, put on make up. Then I grabbed my wrist watch, I paused as I put it on and noticed the time. It was 4:21 AM. Something went terribly wrong. I must of messed up the time as I set the alarm for this morning. So, one would think I was mad, but no. I was able to finish grading those papers I never looked at last night. I wrote the transparency for the lab for class today. And now, I have 20 minutes of "jane" time.

Here's to the morning, which is so hopeful and lovely. Today might be a little tiring because I lost one hour of sleep, but I am prepared for the day. I'm enjoying my coffee and I am off to teach my students.

The Incident

2007-09-29T08:35:00.000-04:00

Teaching is hard. Teenagers are emotional. I am human. These are statements that keep going through my head after what happened yesterday.

After being cursed out...(use your imagination), my student continued to yell at me, call me stupid, referred to me making him feel stupid, and I believe there were other things he yelled. As he yelled, I stayed calm, I took deep breathes. I tried to diffuse the situation. I didn't. What scared me was that when I asked him to stay in the hall, he followed me into the room. I was sincerely scared at that point. The teenager in question was a lot bigger than me. Once my adrenaline was pumping, there was no turning back. Thank God, there was only 3 minutes left in class. As I replay the situation for the millionth time in my head, I see how I could have changed it. This is the part of teaching that no one prepares you for. Even with my prior experience with situations like this doesn't really help. It's hard not to yell back at the student. It's hard not to slam the door in his face. It's hard to not feed into the emotions of a child.

Last weekend, I realized that my 12-14 hour days continue. I feel this pressure, probably self imposed, to do my best everyday. Where the grace that I am suppose to give myself, when the best doesn't happen? Where's the balance here?

I have never worked this hard in my life. I don't know how to work faster, better, or smarter. This is the best work I've ever done in my life. Even in the midst of an awful day yesterday, my mind is running to what I can change. How can I relate to the student that yells at me? How do I win that class back? How do I tell the students text messages are not important during the 90 minutes they are with me? How do I convince the student with social anxiety that the class likes him? How do I encourage a student that because things are hard doesn't mean that you should give up easily? How do I let my honors physics students realize that physics is hard and not every one gets an A?

To be honest, I think the incident yesterday makes me want to be better. If I plan better, grade fairer, I will win over my classes. I don't know how I am doing it. I work 12-14 hours each day. On the weekend I am working 3 - 8 hours each Saturday and Sunday...getting ready for my classes or grading. I keep thinking that sometime life will ease up, but I don't know when.

Ok, so what now.

2007-09-02T09:57:00.000-04:00

Recently a friend mentioned that it's been cool to see God's hand prints on my life. As I have been transitioning for the past couple of months...it's been hard to stay focused. I do believe that this has been guided by God, but I found myself wondering last night and today. "Now what?"

In no means do I feel I am even close to being done, but I am sort of at this place where major change has happened and I am beginning to settle in. It's not disappointing, my life is really good. Although I almost feel a sense of loss, now that I know that I am suppose to be teaching. Which really makes me wonder what is it that I feel loss about.

I am a big advocate of plans. I came up with this saying a couple of years ago. "Just because you can't predict the future, doesn't mean you have to live aimlessly in the present." (That's a Jane original...sometimes I astound myself when words fly out of my mouth) During "The Transition," I really turned to God and felt led by my faith. I wonder if I have lost that. Right now I have a plan for this year and am beginning to make plans for next year. (National Board Certification...more about that later). Did I pray about that or did I just hope that my thoughts are lined up with God's plan for me? Am I where I am suppose to be in all the parts of my life? I feel confident I am in the right job, but as for the rest...I don't feel as confident.

Teaching

2007-08-29T20:36:00.000-04:00

Okay...first week half done! I have enjoyed teaching, but golly gee....I AM TIRED! Did I mention I am tired? I have worked 12 hour days...I go home eat, rest, then go back to bed! Sleep....then up at 5AM.

Thank God, that next week is only a four day week. Oh, how I love Labor Day. Maybe I can get ahead of myself.

Today, I was so nervous I wouldn't get stuff done, that I arrived at school before they opened the doors. I sat in my car and graded papers for 15 minutes before any other car showed up! Then I was at school until 6PM. Yes, folks that would be 12 hours at the actual building.

Early Morning

2007-08-23T06:06:00.000-04:00

I was awake at 5:15AM. Ouch. I am starting my days early this week. I am prepping for the first day of school. All I can say is that I love my school. I so enjoy the co-workers I have. I also realize that I am being supported and these people do not even know me. It's utterly amazing to be assimilated into a group this quickly.

More later, but as I contemplate the morning, I thought I would post. It's dark outside, there is a stillness in the day with a sense of urgency to get stuff ready for Monday, the first day of school. Good news is that all my teacher tricks are coming back quickly.

Coffee...I smell the coffee finishing...I must greet my coffee maker with a smile. How do I love an object so much.

Good morning to all!

The Eve of Working

2007-08-16T08:08:00.000-04:00

So, this morning is my last morning, not working a full time job. Ahhh....

Okay, so I am excited about starting my teaching job tomorrow. I am probably more nervous about making a good first impression with my co-workers than actually working. Tomorrow is just orientation anyway. I am excited to get started. Since the end of May, I have been dreaming of teaching and getting back into the classroom. I hope all my nifty teacher tricks come back to me.

I would like to report that I finished most of my wish list of things that I wanted to get done! Yippee. Today is a day of fun. I am spending the morning, organizing and prepping my house for a baby shower that's on Saturday. Then I am buying new make-up, then lunching with some friends, then my furniture that I ordered is being delivered. Then I am attending a birthday dinner for a friend. So, lots of fun and resting before work starts.

One guilty pleasure I am going to miss is that I am used to waking up early and watching a movie or TV. This morning as I woke up at 6:00AM (I decided to start going to bed early to prepare for my job and naturally wake up after 7.5 hours of sleep) I watched the movie I had from Netflix. Wow, is the word. I watched "The Last King of Scotland." Maybe I always fell asleep in history class, but I don't remember hearing anything about Amin. Amazing. I will confess that watching violence that is true really effects my psyche. To be honest, there were two parts where I had to cover my eyes and make noise so I wouldn't hear what was going on. For those that can handle violent films, I recommend it more as a learning experience than entertainment.

My blogging will probably start turning more towards the funny encounters with students and co-workers. Don't worry, I'll still have entertaining housework posts too! It's almost here...my new job!

I "heart" my Neighbors.

2007-08-13T05:30:00.000-04:00

To almost anyone that has ever talked to me, I talk about how awesome my neighbors are. Here's reason #642. On Friday morning I talked to them and Robert (the husband) said, I'll help you finish up those branches and trees sometime on Saturday. For those that don't know in late April I started tackling my "natural" back yard. I chopped down 10 pine trees, but never cut them into wood, they were just down like a tornado went through. Also I had a pile of dead trees and branches that I have been working on all summer. I hated the pile, it was bigger than me...it was totally more than I could handle.

Sadly, Robert wasn't around on Saturday...so Sunday I woke up and decided. Early church, then I am working in the yard until it was done! Here's where Robert became superman to me. He came over after I had been working for 4 hours and helped me finish. I finished the pile of branches and trees. He started chopping the wood that was too thick for me with his nifty claw/chainsaw. As he came over to help me he said...hey, Mitzi (his wife) has a t-bone for you, what are you doing for dinner? I "heart" my neighbors. Knowing that dinner was being made for me, let me carry on and finish.

I have no idea why I worked in the yard for 6 solid hours yesterday, but my sense of accomplishment is very high. I almost have a certain amount of pride about my yard, which I haven't really had recently. I wish that I had a digital camera to document this day.

Next I have to dig up the stumps of the trees. Per Robert's instruction...I am buying an axe today. Is that weird...I am excited about buying an axe. Lesson I learned...when chopping down trees...don't do 10+ at a time. Do one, clean it up as you go. I also cut my grass yesterday. Needless to say I am so sore that I went to bed at 10:15 last night. Hence the reason I am blogging at 5:40 AM.

Oh, by the way. Did I mention the countdown? I start work on Friday. Here's the list of what needs done before then. Okay, what I would like done by then...probably not completely realistic.

Finish "fall" cleaning (I had begun to reorganize all closets, bookcases, and kitchen)
Deep clean the house (I am hosting a baby shower)
Start/Finish making some bibs
Finish my poster project
Hang out with friends
A good friend's birthday/bachelorette party/dinner
Grocery shop
Laundry

I am sure that there is more, but that's what's in my head right now.

The List

2007-08-06T17:55:00.000-04:00

So, I made a list of things that I want to get done before I start working. Today's task that I sort of didn't mean to start, but then again, I did finish. I re-arranged my entire kitchen. Moved the spices to a better cabinet. Weeded out the seedy dish towels. Found the matching containers to lid...so there is the right number of lids that match containers. Put the food all together instead of 3 seperate places. If I ever live in another house...a pantry. That's going to be my bottom line. If there isn't a pantry...then build me one.

Really, I forgot how driven I am when I have a list. Another big task will be to wash my windows. Irony is that they are painted shut and I can't seem to figure out how to open most of them. I also think I will re-arrage my closets. I already have a coffee table worth of stuff to donate, sell, or give away. Since I haven't moved in 2.5 years, I find this need to purge. My trash can is the heaviest been since I missed two weeks in row of trash pick up about six months ago (The FDA was threatening to shut me down at that point).

So, today...I watched some tv, dropped off my plastic bags to recycle, dropped off my dry cleaning, worked 3 hours at my part time job, talked on the phone with Carolyn, Mom, and Stacy, cleaned and rearraged my kitchen, did laundry, cleaned paperwork off kitchen table, made a new playlist on itunes called Fun Housework, blogged, and I am off to a pool party. Needless to say...I am getting a little tired. But days like today feel so good to me.

16 days of Freedom

2007-08-01T07:40:00.000-04:00

That's what I have been calling my countdown to start my new full time job. I am so excited to start working again, but you can't beat not working. I told my uncle recently that I wanted to just skip to retirement, but actually I am looking forward to working again.

There will be a couple of things that I miss, but mostly I am looking forward to my new schedule. It amazes me that so many people in my life are starting new phases of their lives too. Close friends are pregnant or just had a baby, my cousin is starting law school, my sister is starting a PhD program, my sister is starting a new job, my mom is changing jobs. This is some big stuff, but all of it is good.

But as I look at the next two weeks, I have a lot of fun to have and some little projects that I wanted to get down this summer. So, the countdown has begun. On today's agenda: grocery shopping, finish making some baby blankets, have dinner with a friend. Let's say it will be a day of 75% fun and 25% need to get stuff done!

What happened to Customer Service?

2007-07-12T20:36:00.000-04:00

Last night my friends and I had the worst experience...here's what I did about...I sent the following to the "mall" owners. Their response...they are giving me a $200 gift certificate to Cameron Village.

I will loyally be a Cameron Village customer. Just not "the Grape" customer. So, here's what a fired up Jane says to the world.

Dear Cameron Village,

First let me say...I love Cameron Village. I often bring my out of town guests to wander around the stores and I frequently dine at the restaurants in your "village." I know that this probably isn't the right forum, but I really wanted someone to hear me.

I was at one of the restaurants in Cameron Village, "The Grape." I was aghast at the poor service my friends and I received after we asked to talk to a manager. I have always been respected as a customer at Cameron Village and hope that the customer service continues as I have experienced in the past. However, last night my friends and I were treated not only poorly, but also rather abruptly. My friends and I were so unhappy, that all of us have decided to probably never return to that restaurant. We felt very mislead by their specials that we specifically wanted to try. We were mislead by them and after innocently talking to the manager, we were treated like we were stupid to not understand their restaurant menu. In retail, I understand that you can't change prices sometimes, but a little understanding and some clarification without being accusatory would have been nice. It saddens me that a group of 8 women that spent over $200 total got treated so poorly. We go out to Raleigh restaurants frequently and always tip well, so it's sad when we decide to never dine at a place because they will lose a lot of business.

On a side note, as the disgruntled group left "the Grape" last night, we went to Nelson's where we not only had great service, thanks to our server, Dallas, but we also thoroughly enjoyed the rest of our evening at Cameron Village.

Thank you for listening, I felt as the landlords over "the Grape" you should know how they treat loyal Cameron Village customers.

Thanks.

Time

2007-07-10T08:31:00.000-04:00

Why is it...that as I am not working full time that I feel busier than ever. But am I really busier or is it that I am trying to balance too much.

How important is the Today show in the morning? When I work full time, I don't find it important, but as I am not working I feel compelled to watch the sugar coated, candy news. Okay, not to slander the Today show...I love Matt, Meredith, Ann and Al! They are my peeps that talk to me in the morning...when I am not even awake. But I just realized how lazy they make me. So, here's an idea...grab a set of headphones...head to the gym and watch the Today show as I work out. Do I have enough discipline for that?

4.5 more weeks before my full time job starts...I want to make the most of it!

Goals:
Start training for my 1/2 marathon
Sew - I have projects running around my head
Start lesson planning to ease the pain of working in the fall
Rest and Relax
Visit my family (july 25-31)

Is that aggressive? I think it's time again to start my weekly To Do lists. This seems to focus me. I take To Do lists very seriously. I sometimes need to put watch movie on my list so I remember to sit down. Where's the balance folks?

Death Toll

2007-06-24T21:23:00.000-04:00

Okay...I have been in an all out battle for quite some time. The death toll just got a bit higher. Unfortunately this war doesn't seem to be ending.

MICE...6 down...how many more? I have killed, yes, killed 6 mice in the last two months in my house. I hate killing, them, as they are so cute...but even worse is seeing a mouse in your house.

I scream like I am being murdered when I see a live mouse lurking in a corner of the room. In all my home-ownership experiences...this is the one that might push me over.

Here's the question...how long do I keep the traps set before I win the war?

YIPPEE for Jobs and Good Things

2007-06-12T10:38:00.000-04:00

Yippee...I got the job. I have a teaching job lined up for the fall. I'm working sort of part time for a friend's company. How sweet it is. I can't believe how wonderfully everything fell together for me. I am so excited to just be for the summer. I get to start work in August and until then I am sort of just resting, relaxing, and preparing to teach.

Last week, I was in tears...why...because I never knew life could be so sweet. I had been so scared that leaving a job with nothing lined up could be dangerous and irresponsible. Now, I know that God really had something waiting for me. I have met my new co-workers and am looking forward to them as much as my job.

Now is a the business of having fun and relaxing. I have promised myself one day a week to do absolutely nothing productive. Like sit by the pool for a day...spend the day watching movies...chill out all day with friends. So far it is feeding my soul.

What is a notion?

2007-06-06T08:23:00.000-04:00

no·tion [noh-shuhn]
1. a general understanding; vague or imperfect conception or idea of something: a notion of how something should be done.
2. an opinion, view, or belief: That's his notion, not mine.
3. conception or idea: his notion of democracy.
4. a fanciful or foolish idea; whim: She had a notion to swim in the winter.
5. an ingenious article, device, or contrivance; knickknack.
6. notions, small articles, as buttons, thread, ribbon, and other personal items, esp. such items displayed together for sale, as in a department store.

I like that thinking and sewing are connected by one word! I love to think...I love to sew.

The Waiting Game

2007-06-05T08:09:00.000-04:00

I had a job interview Monday. They said they would call if I got the job in the next 2-3 days. So, now I wait. I want this. I always thought of myself of having loads of patience. This is testing me.

So, now I say things like...it's out of my hands...I did the best I could. As I wait, I judge myself and if I did good enough...was I right in answering the questions the way I did? What happens if I don't get this? What will happen to me?

Jobs are funny things. They help define you, but I have learned recently you should let other things define you; not just what you are doing to pay the bills. When asked who I am...I am much more than a person trying to get back into teaching. Hopefully I can stay grounded to the fact that no matter what I am doing...I am more than just that.

Here's to waiting...and waiting...and waitng.

Today is the day

2007-06-02T12:05:00.001-04:00

I decided it was about time to start blogging. Everyone else is doing it. But also because I think I have things to say and share with the world. There will be more later, but I had to just start....and go for it.