Lost

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

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

Being happy where you are.

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

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...

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

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

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

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

2009

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

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

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.

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

Pictures of Charlotte Competition

Dancing

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..

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!

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

Making a Ballroom Dance Gown

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.

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

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

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...

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