Lazy daze

I am always torn between being too busy and being too lazy. Today bordered on tooooo laaaazy. I did get to Church and played some tennis... but beyond that my day consisted of scrabulous and Jon and Kate Plus 8 (they are saints). Right now I am close to laying prone in the "command center" -- a comfy microfiber la-z-boy with a leg kick out set up by our computer -- and was doing a bit of online shopping. I love filling my Old Navy cart even if I never buy from there online. It is theraputic I swear. Oh, and JJ took over the remote and that kooky Mike Rowe is trying to make a snake puke. Oh MR, what a dirty, dirty job you have.

Friends ?

I have a few relationships wherein I seriously want to be someone's friend, but it just doesn't happen. We just don't quite click. I wonder if it's me or them or just our personalities don't mesh or possibly that we're too similar. I can definitely site problems with my own personality on why things may not go smoothly. I know not everyone's going to be my bff, but it really bothers me when there is conflict anywhere and especially with someone I'd like to be friends with. I don't even know if the other person notices or worries about it like I do (it's a gift... or maybe more like a curse). Does anyone else ever struggle with this?

BBQ and such

We planned my bday BBQ to take place at UPark and found out that there was a huge kids day at the park. JJ called the park office to see if there were any shelter available anywhere and found out that at a different park there would be one open -- first come, first serve. So, he and JP showed up a little before 4 and camped out. How sweet, huh? We had quite a few guests attending, so we just had to come up with some location. It all worked out, but who knew June 25th would be so popular??!

Yesterday, we played sand volleyball and won two games in a row. The other team had some really negative people on the team, so when we asked if they wanted to play another one for fun, they just kind of sneered at us. After the match, we went to l'bistro and ate some fabulous appetizers while listening to a local jazz band (incidently, the band teacher at my school plays trombone in it). It was a fabulous day!

My mentor for the last two years was at l'bistro with her son, who is a fourth year medical student. I mentioned that JJ is taking the MCAT in a few weeks and her son said that he is on the interviewing committee for UND AND he is good buddies with one of the people writing one of JJ's reference letters. C'mon God, those have to be two signs that we're headed in the right direction!!

As I said to the financial guy we are meeting with, JJ is my investment. : ) No pressure, sweetie.

Today is my birthday!

Wow, another year older... another year away from high school and even college. It's kinda strange. But, I'm really happy - especially since every year JJ's present to me is a BBQ for all of our friends at a local park. He makes delicious food, and grill food is so much fun anyways. Then we get to do all of my favorite things: hang out, play volleyball, play bocce ball, open presents, eat, etc. It's a good day!

That darn gravity!

I have two kiddos I see on Mondays for reading practice. They have shown signs of regression after summer vacations of old, so this summer, duh duh duuuuh, they get yours truly to make sure they keep up with their skills. Their teacher worked with them together last year so I figured we should try that this summer, too. I called one of the boys' dad to make sure the time change for his son would work. He said that it wouldn't be a problem, but that his son did not want to work with the other child. I had no clue they didn't want to work together. When I posed the option, he seemed fine with it. I wonder if this negativity could possibly have to do with the unlimited rock wall climbing pass his auntie gave him??? (Read or climb walls... read or climb walls?) I told dad thanks for letting me know, but that I still wanted to give it a try.

So. Planning x10 occurs. I over plan so that there will not be one spare moment for them to complain! And guess what? Both boys had a blast. In fact, boy 2 was chatting about the next time he could read with boy 1. Huh. Funny thing. And, he still got to go to the climbing wall for 1/2 hour (which in my opinion is enough anyways, because his hands get pretty sore). At the rock climbing wall, he kept having trouble on this run that involved a big outcrop that he had to climb up and around. He just could not figure it out - good thing the worker was belaying him - because he seriously did some matrix style moves as he continually fell from that spot. Darn you gravity!

Get Smart (do it!)

We went to Get Smart this weekend and I give it two thumbs up. I stayed awake the whole time, that has to account for something. All kidding aside, I enjoyed this movie a lot. There wasn't a whole lot of naughtiness -- something that is rare in a movie these days (We mistakenly took my MOM to Dewey Cox for example! What a bad, bad idea.). It was extremely funny, JPJ and CAJ both mentioned they hadn't laughed harder in a movie theatre in a while. At one point, I leaned over and whispered, "Poor Michael" to JJ. Steve Carell's character as Maxwell Smart is quite reminiscent of Michael Scott in my opinion. Also, I love Anne Hathaway, and Dwayne Johnson A.K.A. The Rock does a great job too.

WWJ T/S/D?

While chatting over free (!!) tea drinks at Caribou Coffee, friend JAP mentioned her neighbors have a sign over their TV that says, "If Jesus were here, would you be watching this?" The thought just resonated with me. Along those same lines, in Church today, Pastor P was talking about gossip and he reminded the congregation (me!) that you shouldn't say anything about people that you wouldn't say to their faces. And then he added and that you wouldn't say in front of Jesus. Ok, God, I get it! (It only took a few people!)

Say what?

The other day JJ got asked to play on our friend JAP's volleyball team because they were a guy short. I went along for encouragement. There was this guy on another team who just seemed really proud of himself. He was probably about 45 and you could tell he fake baked and worked out quite a bit. He and his team come in between games and are chatting by the bleachers. I hear him say, "That was the best sex we've had all season." What? Is that really appropriate? Then he goes on to talk more about the "sets" they've been having. Phew!

Have I told you my most embarrassing volleyball story? A few summers ago, we had just finished playing volleyball and were standing around in a circle chatting. I was ready to head out so I tapped JJ on his butt and whispered, "Let's go." I looked up to find out that JJ was no longer next to me. The guy (D) whose butt I had just tapped looked down at me and said, "Where do you want to go?" I seriously cannot look poor D straight in the face anymore. Good thing he has a great sense of humor!

Adventures with the Kiddos

With my mentor job, I don't always know what to call the children I work with. Students? Mentees? Clients? So I have settled with kiddos. JJ has started using the term too. It has confused people more than once. "Where's EJ?" "She's with her kiddos." "Really?" Well, one of my kiddos made it clear what he thinks I am. We were at the park and this Dad was giving really good tire swing rides. Kiddo N wanted to get a ride so I'd love to say that he asked nicely if he could have a turn, but anyways, he did end up having a turn.

Dad: "Sure, only if it's ok with your Mom."
Kiddo N: "That's not my Mom! That's my social worker!"
Dad: (stammering) "Oh, jeez, sorry, I know it's never good to assume."
Kiddo N doesn't even notice as he tries to get into the tire swing.

Techy??

I have been working with a group of teachers on differentiating our English curriculum. Which has been great fun, by the way. It is helping me transition into my job as a specialist and I have gotten to know more ladies at work. We've even started a bookclub! But anyways, I have become the tech guru. One teacher, for example, was absolutely awed by the fact that I could make square boxes in Word. "Wow! We don't have to photocopy graphic organizers, white out what we don't want, add what we do want and recopy it! You can make them for us!" "Woah! How do you switch bullets so easily? Just a tab you say? That is amazing!" Wow! I guess so! : ) It is interesting how relative things are. In the everyday world, I am probably far behind my counterparts in the area of technology. So, I'll just stay in teacher lala land and feel important for as long as I can!

Budget

JJ and I are on a "budget", which we have realized is more of a "spending plan". We actually should be tighter. Probably much tighter. But, there does come a point when, well, we could be completely thrifty and not enjoy life. It's a balance I guess. JJ bought a small remote control helicopter this weekend. Today he found a different type in Sportsmansguide that was cheaper than where he bought his. So, of course, he should have it right? A few years ago our spending plan was similar to this: you buy something and then I get to buy something of similar value. heehee... it would make financial advisors croak. But, we are wiser and of course older, so we are trying to be better. This last month was tough on our budget. Weddings and graduations and birthdays, oh my! Throw in Bath and Body Works' semiannual sale and you have a recipe for a spending plan disaster. Today, though, I went grocery shopping and only spent about $50. Usually, just showing up is like $100 I swear. And it's just the two of us. We're back on track. I swear this time. : )

Feeding Frenzy

JJ and I have been baking up a storm. Here is our list for today:

*Cinnamon rolls
*Chocolate pudding with mint chips
*Chicken Salad (for sandwiches)
*Banana Bread (made from a pumpkin bread recipe)
*BBQ Chicken (for sandwiches)


Can you tell which ones I made?? I'll give you a clue, they are the two that only involve plunking things on a pan and/or adding one ingredient and mixing.

Good thing today also included swimming and a jog.

Wii would like to play

I have an addictive personality. When I find an interest, I tend to delve right in to it. I wish I could get super interested in eating healthfully, but maybe that'll come! I also get jealous easily. Especially at restaurants -- I generally have food envy. Although I am also a picky eater, so you can just keep your seafood assortments to yourself, for example.

We have recently had the opportunity to play wii fit from a few of our friends who own it. I love it. I seriously think I could spend quite a bit of time playing. The yoga and strength training sections are my favorites. The balance games are fun, too, but they are also definitely my area of weakness. So, now, I want a wii fit. JJ has set a good goal for me. I can buy one as soon as we sell our PS2 and accompanying games. We just don't need three systems (although the 360 does come in handy because our DVD player went out).

YouTube Favs

Our friends TAF and MF are avid youtubers and hooked me onto this. HIllarious.

Friend JAP passed this math song along. It's a bit long, but superfunny!

JJ found this one from buddy JB. Crazy stuff that'll be happening with the wii.

The last few weeks...

Our life took a hectic turn in June. As a teacher I always wait and plan for summer to catch up on sleep and relaxation. Yeah, so far that hasn't happened. I've been Busy, Busy, Busy, but so far "summer" has been very enjoyable. Here's a recap (I had originally written "quick recap", but, well, it's getting a bit long!):

*As I mentioned in the previous post, I'm working as a Mentor this summer - I currently have seven kiddos - and each kid gets thirty hours this summer. It sounded super simple to me, but I'm finding that these kids are busy and fitting them into a schedule has been a challenge. Plus, they all have different goals and things I'm working on with them. It's been a really positive experience so far though.

*Two workshops -- one on Poverty (check out Ruby Payne -- interesting stuff) and one on Differentiated Instruction (another valuable one with lots of things to ponder and try) - and with these workshops, I got two college credits (I'm already only six away from a lane change!).

*Out of the DI workshops, I got on a summer project with some coworkers from my middle school to work on differentiated lessons for the 7th grade English curriculum. They want to do all of the hours in June so they can get paid before school starts up again. So again, working with all of our schedules, (plus one with babysitter needs) has been interesting!

*We did tons of stuff with CLA, JPJ and JPJ's sister MJ, since it was MJ's first time in the US. CA and JPJ totally planned her trip down to what meals they wanted her to try each day to introduce all types of cuisine (although, they never made it to the most American place of all -- the golden arches). Some or all of us went fishing, to a local park, shopping, to wedding showers, to Church, to Itasca, etc. We all helped plan CLA and JPJ's big day and had a wonderful time at the Groom's Supper. Then, at 04:05 on 06-07-08, CLA became Mrs. JPJ in a beautiful and wonderful ceremony. I even got to walk down the aisle with JJ (who was the best man). We had an awesome time dancing the night away. MJ taught us Hindi dancing. Later I was telling (and showing) someone how MJ had taught me how to dance. She said, "Is that how I look??!" heehee

*We even got to go along on the trip to Minneapolis to drop MJ off at the airport. The day before we went to Valley Fair and had a blast! I heart roller coasters - the bigger and scarier the better. The day before we left it rained and rained, so we were searching for other things to do in the cities, but on the day it was BEAUTIFUL. Yay! But it was so hot and sunny, JJ got sick -- maybe a bit of heat exhaustion.

*In Minneapolis, we got to stay with our buddies TAF and MF. They have a GORGEOUS house. I'm so jealous. I know we'll get to a house at some point, but they're there. And it's wonderful! Yay for them! They've done a bunch of updates - the house was vacant for quite some time before they moved in - and they've been doing a wonderful job. I love, love the paint colors and the things they brought back with them from Thailand. It all fits together so nicely. Gush, gush, I know. While hanging out with the F's, I got to go to a scrapbooking event with TAF, her SIL AP and a friend K something (who incidentally is a former Miss ND)! I even got to meet Miss SweetiePie NGP (AP's daughter). We went to Archivers to use all of their stuff, watch some demonstrations, and eat some junk food. I finished six pages (not so many, but a great start since I haven't scrapbooked since January) and TAF finished TEN.

*In Minneapolis, we also got to catch up with nieceypoos MH and KC (M's hubby PH was working). We can't wait to come back to Minneapolis in a couple of weeks for the H's wedding reception.

*Then, on the way back home, we caught up with CLJ's sister (JG) at their wonderful log cabin house for J's husband JG's bday party. We met and got to know JG and JG because they were also in CLJ and JPJ's wedding. It's funny because JJ and JG have the same first name, so it was easy to reprimand them. But, if we wanted to keep them straight, my JJ became "Tall J".

*Today we slept in until after 10am and haven't done anything productive since. Ahhh, laziness, sweet laziness.

Really? Nevermind then...

This summer I am a "mentor" - kind of like a Big Sister, but through the public school system I work for. It has been going quite well so far. I'm getting into my routine and getting to know what I need to do for the kiddos. Yesterday all my plans went under water, literally, with the heap o' rain we got. So, in the morning I called the YMCA because most of the kids I work with have passes. I wanted to see how it would all work. The lady was really rude (I think she thought I was just trying to get in for free). At one point she said, "Well, I'm just trying to figure out what you're going to do here. We don't have anything for a ten-year old to do."

So, we went to the Public Library ... for two hours ... with a kid with severe ADHD.

C'mon sunshine!!

I knew it would only happen to me. . .

Today we had a fabulous day! We went with CA (soon to be CJ), JPJ and MJ to CA's family Church, which happens to be the Church they're getting married in. It is a small town Church and I was expecting something similar to my Farm Grandparents' Church, but it was quite big and modern. They are in the middle of VBS but for the whole family taught by a big family, headed by the father who used to be a geologist when he found all of this evidence of why evolution doesn't work and how science doesn't have to be opposite of God and the Bible - how nature shows God. Anyways, it was really interesting. After Church, we went to the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park. Without even planning, we went on Open House day, so it was free! Bonus! It was such a beautiful day. Our first stop was to the actual beginning where we walked across it on big rocks. Usually there are many rocks above water, but at this time of the year, there were many slippery rocks and some completely under water. I was the first one to start across. I thought I could just easily go with my flip flops on, so I started out and realized it was a bit trickier than I thought! At one point I lost one of my flip flops! It was quickly rescued by JJ. I made it all the way across and waited for MJ and JPJ to carefully get across. JJ, who was already in the water from the flip-flop rescue mission, and I started back to meet MJ and JPJ in the middle. I was following close behind JJ and I totally slipped and fell in the water. If you know me, you know that I HATE getting wet. I just knew it was going to happen to me! So, complete wet bum. Good thing it was sunny and warm so I dried out relatively quickly. CA happened to get it on film! When watching it later with JG, CA's sister, she said, "Oh! Look at that guy clapping and laughing! That's mean!" Oops, it was JJ. hehe Yeah, and I completely wiped out - legs fully up in the air. It was great!

After all of this excitement, we had lunch, and went on a tour of the park with several small little excursions to things like the largest red pine, which looked as if it had just been hit by lightening or a wind storm or something, because it is definitely not the largest any more. Then, we went to CA's family's home for some brats and mmm mmm blueberry pie and back home again home again. When we got home, I called my Grandparents -- 56 years of marriage today! Then we called up the B's to play a little lawn games -- that one where you throw golf balls at pvc pipe. The B's are the family who live upstairs and have cute little JB (who has a little crush on JJ) and EB. I totally had beginners luck and we won the first game (but lost the second one). JB enjoyed having me help her be the cheerleader. She just echoed me, but she does have a phrase from JJ that she says, "Boo ya Grandma!" heehee Also, when I was up, she'd say, "Miss it!" so I'd tease her that she was making me lose!

Like JJ just commented, how could anyone have more than a few friends? We have been so busy the last couple of days -- it's been so wonderful -- but so tiring!