I have things to say, but no energy to post. I did just read on my friend Lily's blog, though, that she is managing the housework by doing something I wish I had thought of last summer when I wasn't working: She is setting the timer every morning for 30 minutes and focusing on one room of the house during that time. That's such a great idea, in my opinion, and something I wanted to pass on to my readers who are stay at home moms or unwillingly unemployed. I always make it a requirement to clean everything at once, which is overwhelming and miserable-sounding. As such, it rarely gets done as regularly as it should.
I have 2 days of meetings and trainings to attend. I worked 12 hours today teaching and just trying to get everything prepped for the subs. And still I have to be downtown at 8 am tomorrow. Just another confirmation that teaching... is hard.
Before I close, I'll say that Hot Yoga was awesome and Josh even loved it. We're going back tomorrow night, most likely. I was a little overambitious and feel like I overextended my back, but I'll be more conservative next session. The sweating was intense, but I, surprisingly, loved it. I recommend it to all.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
30 Meal Magic
I started a project my friend Shannon posted and found on this blog. You put 30 meal recipes that are "tried and true" on notecards and bind them with a metal ring. This way you can have 30 meals to rotate and choose from for dinners that are easy to access, easy to shop for, and guaranteed to get eaten! Our family is small, but we typically "run out" of things to make and get bored with our options very quickly. Thus, we end up eating out A LOT. This is expensive and highly caloric. I'm anxious to have a quick and easy resource to turn to. So far, I've come up with 12 entrees, 5 or 6 sides, and 5 or so desserts along with 4 or 5 dressings and marinades. I'm splitting the four categories on my notecards, coding them 4 different colors and also trying to make a table that helps identify the ingredients I need to buy to make the dishes, organized by where I might find them in the store to make shopping easier. That last part is the one that's taking up a lot of time. I might not get that finished as quickly as my 30 meal notecards. To celebrate my project, I'm going to try to post a recipe from it every now and again. Please keep in mind that I'm a dietary anomaly. I don't eat any meat other than fish, I am allergic to dairy, and I have insulin resistance meaning my foods need to be low on the glycemic index. Essentially, that means low in sugar and void of white potatoes, white flour and fried foods. And with that sidenote, I present you with one of our favorite entrees that is quick and super easy:
Mexican Sloppy Joe's
1 package soy chorizo
1 jar cactus, chopped
1 can tomatillo verde sauce
½ yellow onion, chopped
Olive Oil
1 package corn tortillas
Cook onion on medium high in small amount of olive oil
Combine 3 remaining ingredients in pan with onion, heat on medium high
Heat tortillas in microwave
Place 3 tortillas on each plate, place a helping of mix on each tortilla.
Variation(s):
Use real chorizo sausage, cooking meat before adding remaining ingredients
Add cheese as garnish
Side option(s):
Nicaraguan Salsa
Black beans, refried, blended or whole
Nicaraguan Salsa
½ yellow onion
1 large tomato
1 avocado
Lemon juice
Pepper
Chop top 3 ingredients, place in bowl
Add lemon juice to taste
Add salt and pepper to taste
Mix
When my friend Kat first made nopales (cactus) for me, I didn't know what I was in for! But you know what? It's yummy! And it's precooked and marinated so it's ready to go in any latino recipe! It's usually available in the ethnic aisle of the grocery store. If you have a large latino community in your city, you can usually find nopales in a mexican store as well, for less. Enjoy!
Mexican Sloppy Joe's
1 package soy chorizo
1 jar cactus, chopped
1 can tomatillo verde sauce
½ yellow onion, chopped
Olive Oil
1 package corn tortillas
Cook onion on medium high in small amount of olive oil
Combine 3 remaining ingredients in pan with onion, heat on medium high
Heat tortillas in microwave
Place 3 tortillas on each plate, place a helping of mix on each tortilla.
Variation(s):
Use real chorizo sausage, cooking meat before adding remaining ingredients
Add cheese as garnish
Side option(s):
Nicaraguan Salsa
Black beans, refried, blended or whole
Nicaraguan Salsa
½ yellow onion
1 large tomato
1 avocado
Lemon juice
Pepper
Chop top 3 ingredients, place in bowl
Add lemon juice to taste
Add salt and pepper to taste
Mix
When my friend Kat first made nopales (cactus) for me, I didn't know what I was in for! But you know what? It's yummy! And it's precooked and marinated so it's ready to go in any latino recipe! It's usually available in the ethnic aisle of the grocery store. If you have a large latino community in your city, you can usually find nopales in a mexican store as well, for less. Enjoy!
counting sheep in broad daylight
There is an exhaustion within me currently that is so deep within my muscles and my mind. I can't explain it any better than that. I don't understand it, but all I want to do right now is lay very still and allow myself to drift off into a deep sleep.
But I can't.
It's Sunday and that means it's necessary to prepare for the upcoming week by completing housework, running errands, and paying bills. Yuck.
I am even more limited on time to complete these tasks today because we have a very special evening planned. We are going on a hot air balloon ride! This is something we have been planning to do for nearly 2 years and we've simply been too busy to put the plans into place. Finally, finally we are going and it's a beautiful day for it. I kind of got into an argument with the pilot this morning, though, so we are a bit worried that this could affect our good time. I might be wrong, and I hope I am. He was charging us more money than we should have been charged and Josh only admitted the charge to me this morning. He said the Pilot told him it was necessary for the time slot they had available, but according to their website, the price should not change based on the time slot. He was very surprised that I was calling him on it and insisted it was agreed upon when the appointment was made. Thing is, Josh didn't know the details on the website, so he couldn't argue it. He said, if I wanted to cancel, I would have had to call on Friday to do so. Josh only just told me about it today, so that wasn't possible. We agreed to "split the difference", which in this guy's lingo meant requiring us to still pay more than we should, but less than he told Josh. There is little I can do about it all because the guy has Josh's CC number. If I cancel, he'll charge the full amount. So we're going. But Josh and I are both kind of in a poor mood about it, which sucks. I'm sure the Pilot is in a crap mood too and will likely be awkward with us on the flight but I am determined to have a good time and THEN write a bad review online and call the BBB. Because seriously, no one should be paying over $400 for something and be in a bad mood for the whole experience. It just isn't right.
Tomorrow, our bowling league starts. I am looking forward to being silly with girlfriends. I had hoped to get my own ball, but I realize that would be yet another thing I would need to donate to goodwill in time. I am not and never will be a real bowler.
Tuesday, I start hot yoga class and ...don't tell the masculine club of America, but... Josh will be going with me! I convinced him to give it a try. His work is so physical and he has pains and aches in his back, leg and hip pretty frequently. Owning and running a business is a stressful endeavor, too. Yoga--hot yoga, especially--will be a great opportunity for him to feel some physical and emotional relief. I made him promise to do 10 classes. We'll see if he commits!
But I can't.
It's Sunday and that means it's necessary to prepare for the upcoming week by completing housework, running errands, and paying bills. Yuck.
I am even more limited on time to complete these tasks today because we have a very special evening planned. We are going on a hot air balloon ride! This is something we have been planning to do for nearly 2 years and we've simply been too busy to put the plans into place. Finally, finally we are going and it's a beautiful day for it. I kind of got into an argument with the pilot this morning, though, so we are a bit worried that this could affect our good time. I might be wrong, and I hope I am. He was charging us more money than we should have been charged and Josh only admitted the charge to me this morning. He said the Pilot told him it was necessary for the time slot they had available, but according to their website, the price should not change based on the time slot. He was very surprised that I was calling him on it and insisted it was agreed upon when the appointment was made. Thing is, Josh didn't know the details on the website, so he couldn't argue it. He said, if I wanted to cancel, I would have had to call on Friday to do so. Josh only just told me about it today, so that wasn't possible. We agreed to "split the difference", which in this guy's lingo meant requiring us to still pay more than we should, but less than he told Josh. There is little I can do about it all because the guy has Josh's CC number. If I cancel, he'll charge the full amount. So we're going. But Josh and I are both kind of in a poor mood about it, which sucks. I'm sure the Pilot is in a crap mood too and will likely be awkward with us on the flight but I am determined to have a good time and THEN write a bad review online and call the BBB. Because seriously, no one should be paying over $400 for something and be in a bad mood for the whole experience. It just isn't right.
Tomorrow, our bowling league starts. I am looking forward to being silly with girlfriends. I had hoped to get my own ball, but I realize that would be yet another thing I would need to donate to goodwill in time. I am not and never will be a real bowler.
Tuesday, I start hot yoga class and ...don't tell the masculine club of America, but... Josh will be going with me! I convinced him to give it a try. His work is so physical and he has pains and aches in his back, leg and hip pretty frequently. Owning and running a business is a stressful endeavor, too. Yoga--hot yoga, especially--will be a great opportunity for him to feel some physical and emotional relief. I made him promise to do 10 classes. We'll see if he commits!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Road Runner Reverie
I feel overwhelmed. I'm at school every night til 6:30/7 working and making check-in phone calls to parents- a requirement of teachers at the start of the year. Some of these parents want to talk for 30 minutes!! At this rate, I'll never complete my calls. Tomorrow night is a PTA meeting, Wed is staff meeting and Thursday is curriculum night (aka Back to School Night). I'll be getting home at 9 each night and the planning I have to get done for Thursday night alone is driving me a little wonky. I'm so tired and I can't get to sleep with my brain on overdrive.
To add to the lull, (ha), Josh is saying the good ol', "I think about moving back to Fort Wayne" stuff again. Dude, are you for real?!?! I am so spread thin, I finally just said, "Well, maybe you should." I know he means "us" and "we" but that doesn't work for me. I said, "You go and let me know how it is and we'll talk more then." I mean, cause really... I think he'd move there and in 2 months, be, like, "Let's go back." I'm too old for that. And no offense to those of you in Fort Wayne, but I just cannot even imagine. What would I do? How would I survive? I don't think he could either anymore, but I know how his mind works and it's very impulsive. His main reasoning is something I'll leave for another post. 'Cause I just don't get it. Maybe one of you can help me understand it when I take the time to explain. Right now, I'm having trouble seeing straight. I have to go make the effort to fall asleep now. Nighty night.
To add to the lull, (ha), Josh is saying the good ol', "I think about moving back to Fort Wayne" stuff again. Dude, are you for real?!?! I am so spread thin, I finally just said, "Well, maybe you should." I know he means "us" and "we" but that doesn't work for me. I said, "You go and let me know how it is and we'll talk more then." I mean, cause really... I think he'd move there and in 2 months, be, like, "Let's go back." I'm too old for that. And no offense to those of you in Fort Wayne, but I just cannot even imagine. What would I do? How would I survive? I don't think he could either anymore, but I know how his mind works and it's very impulsive. His main reasoning is something I'll leave for another post. 'Cause I just don't get it. Maybe one of you can help me understand it when I take the time to explain. Right now, I'm having trouble seeing straight. I have to go make the effort to fall asleep now. Nighty night.
Friday, September 18, 2009
tie red
What a week! I am dead. I had a good week but I am busier than I ever thought I could be this early into the year!
Cute Kindergarten moment: Yesterday, I assessed the kids in their "writing", which looks like pictures right now of course. I gave them a three page booklet and asked them to write a story about someone who is important to them. I wandered around the room, taking dictation to add words to their stories. Most kids had written about mom or dad; some had written about a friend or a cousin. I stopped at Madeline's desk and she had filled all three pages with the same person. I said, "Tell me your story!" She said, "Well, that's you." My heart melted. Who says I don't get paid enough?! That's worth more than money.
I am really enjoying my kids. It's an incredible amount of work, but it's truly the way a school should be. Things aren't perfect, but they are leaps and BOUNDS better than the years I worked in inner city schools. I hate that I'm only 20 minutes north of the South End and in such a different, far better world, but that's the reality of public education. It's not fair.
We're going to Maura and Dan's wedding tomorrow and Josh freaked out when I reminded him of it. We went tonight to the Rack to get him a new shirt and tie and he said, "You owe me one, honey. You gave me absolutely no notice to get clothes for this thing." Um, excuse me? You were with me when I opened the invitation, which has since been posted on the fridge that you open every day. He continued to remind me of how he was getting clothes on such sort notice as though this would somehow justify why he could take up all of my time helping him find things when I actually need to find something for myself. *eyeroll* Thank god I'm good at ignoring him when he ridiculousness comes out of his mouth. We did find him a sharp shirt, a $170 tie for $30 and cufflinks. What a score with that tie, yeah? And omg, ARE YOU KIDDING ME on that original price???? Who would ever pay that for a tie? Seriously.
I'm going to hit Macy's in the morning for something and if I don't find anything I have my Hawaii Luau dress as backup. Josh doesn't think it's wedding appropriate, but I think I'm too exhausted and poor to agree with him. We'll see what I come across tomorrow. Nothing like the last minute!
Cute Kindergarten moment: Yesterday, I assessed the kids in their "writing", which looks like pictures right now of course. I gave them a three page booklet and asked them to write a story about someone who is important to them. I wandered around the room, taking dictation to add words to their stories. Most kids had written about mom or dad; some had written about a friend or a cousin. I stopped at Madeline's desk and she had filled all three pages with the same person. I said, "Tell me your story!" She said, "Well, that's you." My heart melted. Who says I don't get paid enough?! That's worth more than money.
I am really enjoying my kids. It's an incredible amount of work, but it's truly the way a school should be. Things aren't perfect, but they are leaps and BOUNDS better than the years I worked in inner city schools. I hate that I'm only 20 minutes north of the South End and in such a different, far better world, but that's the reality of public education. It's not fair.
We're going to Maura and Dan's wedding tomorrow and Josh freaked out when I reminded him of it. We went tonight to the Rack to get him a new shirt and tie and he said, "You owe me one, honey. You gave me absolutely no notice to get clothes for this thing." Um, excuse me? You were with me when I opened the invitation, which has since been posted on the fridge that you open every day. He continued to remind me of how he was getting clothes on such sort notice as though this would somehow justify why he could take up all of my time helping him find things when I actually need to find something for myself. *eyeroll* Thank god I'm good at ignoring him when he ridiculousness comes out of his mouth. We did find him a sharp shirt, a $170 tie for $30 and cufflinks. What a score with that tie, yeah? And omg, ARE YOU KIDDING ME on that original price???? Who would ever pay that for a tie? Seriously.
I'm going to hit Macy's in the morning for something and if I don't find anything I have my Hawaii Luau dress as backup. Josh doesn't think it's wedding appropriate, but I think I'm too exhausted and poor to agree with him. We'll see what I come across tomorrow. Nothing like the last minute!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Nutcase
I forgot to post my new helmet!
Cute, right?! I love it. I wanted to get a roller derby helmet, but when I admitted why I was getting it at the Roller Derby store, they told me their helmets did not meet safety guidelines as bike helmets. :( Sad. This style was the closest I could find that was made for bikes and didn't give me "penis head".
I love that it says "Nutcase" on the front.
I don't think I ever posted it here, but I did get that bike I was talking about before. We still haven't painted her but I am really pleased with her. Once painted, I'll post pics.
Cute, right?! I love it. I wanted to get a roller derby helmet, but when I admitted why I was getting it at the Roller Derby store, they told me their helmets did not meet safety guidelines as bike helmets. :( Sad. This style was the closest I could find that was made for bikes and didn't give me "penis head".
I love that it says "Nutcase" on the front.
I don't think I ever posted it here, but I did get that bike I was talking about before. We still haven't painted her but I am really pleased with her. Once painted, I'll post pics.
1 down, 44 to go
My first week (only 3 days with kids) is over and I'm POOPED! My Kinders are cute, but I can't help but keep comparing them to my Kinders in the inner city. They are definitely not as mature (understandable as they are coddled so much by mom and dad), but they come with less issues. I wouldn't say their needs are less, considering the sun rises and sets with these kiddos, but their needs are different. Even those that aren't only children act like they are: expecting that I should be able to tend to each one of them continuously. I feel drained by that, but I am working very hard on "training" them to share, work as a group, and care about how their actions affect others.
I am slowly beginning to understand that many of the teachers at my school are also sheltered in the sense that they've never really worked anywhere else. They haven't had to explore different ways of doing things and seem to be content with never trying anything new. This is frustrating to me because I, having worked in many different schools and with different demographics, can see lots of flaws with certain routines and instead of accepting them, I want to offer alternatives and solutions. They seem to think things aren't worth trying to change or don't even see them as problems or archaic ways of thinking. Unfortunately, being the new kid on the block, I don't really have a voice that's "allowed" to offer suggestions for change. I'm doing a lot of biting my tongue and, figuratively speaking, I just hope it doesn't start to bleed.
I slept til 11 am today, and I still feel like I could use a nap. I know I'll get more used to the energy drain in time. I just hope I don't get sick in the process! There is so much fear about contracting the H1N1 virus that I am seriously considering getting the shot when it comes out. I've never gotten a flu shot before, and I'm really wigged out about the thought of possibly getting ill as a result of getting it. Since a vaccine is giving you a small strain of the virus that it's vaccinating you against, there's a great probability I'll be sick right afterwards. Sounds like NO FUN.
I am going to Maura's bachelorette party tonight. I think it will be fun, but I'm not 100% on that since the group of girls attending often has me yawning. That's a horrible thing to say, I know, but it's the truth. Last night, we got to go see WICKED again. The touring cast could not compare to the cast we saw in LA, but I still enjoyed it. Josh and I were both so tired though, we came straight home afterwards and crashed. We were supposed to go for dinner after, but I was too exhausted to even consider eating. He's headed off to Port Townsend for "guy time" with Alan and to attend the Wooden Boat Festival. I think I'm headed off for a snooze on the couch before I have to get ready for the party. It's a shame I'm so tired because we are having beautiful summer weather this weekend and I should really go to the beach or at least a bike ride to take advantage. Maybe tomorrow....
I am slowly beginning to understand that many of the teachers at my school are also sheltered in the sense that they've never really worked anywhere else. They haven't had to explore different ways of doing things and seem to be content with never trying anything new. This is frustrating to me because I, having worked in many different schools and with different demographics, can see lots of flaws with certain routines and instead of accepting them, I want to offer alternatives and solutions. They seem to think things aren't worth trying to change or don't even see them as problems or archaic ways of thinking. Unfortunately, being the new kid on the block, I don't really have a voice that's "allowed" to offer suggestions for change. I'm doing a lot of biting my tongue and, figuratively speaking, I just hope it doesn't start to bleed.
I slept til 11 am today, and I still feel like I could use a nap. I know I'll get more used to the energy drain in time. I just hope I don't get sick in the process! There is so much fear about contracting the H1N1 virus that I am seriously considering getting the shot when it comes out. I've never gotten a flu shot before, and I'm really wigged out about the thought of possibly getting ill as a result of getting it. Since a vaccine is giving you a small strain of the virus that it's vaccinating you against, there's a great probability I'll be sick right afterwards. Sounds like NO FUN.
I am going to Maura's bachelorette party tonight. I think it will be fun, but I'm not 100% on that since the group of girls attending often has me yawning. That's a horrible thing to say, I know, but it's the truth. Last night, we got to go see WICKED again. The touring cast could not compare to the cast we saw in LA, but I still enjoyed it. Josh and I were both so tired though, we came straight home afterwards and crashed. We were supposed to go for dinner after, but I was too exhausted to even consider eating. He's headed off to Port Townsend for "guy time" with Alan and to attend the Wooden Boat Festival. I think I'm headed off for a snooze on the couch before I have to get ready for the party. It's a shame I'm so tired because we are having beautiful summer weather this weekend and I should really go to the beach or at least a bike ride to take advantage. Maybe tomorrow....
Thursday, September 3, 2009
ear rit tay shun
Irresponsible people
Bills
Last minute changes
Fair weathered friends
Inconsiderate people
12-hour work days
These things are bothering me to a LARGE degree right now and I just want to be able to brush it off....but dammit if being exhausted doesn't make that even harder!!!
I am just overworked and overtired. Kindergarten Open House today. First day of school next Wednesday. I still have to work full time (overtime) right now, but kids don't arrive til 9/9. I do like my kids a lot. They are all white, or close enough, but that is the only "problem" I can foresee. Only one of them won't talk to me. And only 6 of them haven't met me yet. Out of 28, that's pretty good. I hope a couple of those 6 no-shows end up withdrawing. I gained 2 and lost one today, leaving me with a whopping 28. I know things are still not even set in stone. By the first day, I could have many more changes. It always wows me when people don't prepare for this year. Last year I got new students well into the second week of school. It's such a huge deal that your child is starting school! I mean, isn't it?? For me it would be!
Josh and I are scheduled to go camping this weekend with Nikki and Dan. Sharonne and Vicky were supposed to go too, but they totally flaked. It makes me feel weird how it happened. They both canceled at the same time with the same lame excuse: the drive is too long for such a short stay. It doesn't make sense to me, because neither of them was going to drive--they were getting rides from me and Nikki--and we are scheduled to camp for 3 nights. That isn't a long stay? Were they expecting a week camping trip?? I don't understand that. I don't understand it when friends "team up" either. They aren't a couple. They don't live together. So why the same cancellation excuse and why cancel together? And both of them texted it and said, "Don't be mad at us." Obviously they think I should be mad at them or why would they have said that? I feel very weird towards them now. I know it's "my issue", but I just wish I felt differently. Hard not to "blame" them for my feeling this way.
I know all of this will feel better once I get some good sleep. I'm going to sleep in tomorrow, go in to school briefly, then leave for my camping trip. I plan to have a great weekend. I hope Josh helps make that dream come true!
Bills
Last minute changes
Fair weathered friends
Inconsiderate people
12-hour work days
These things are bothering me to a LARGE degree right now and I just want to be able to brush it off....but dammit if being exhausted doesn't make that even harder!!!
I am just overworked and overtired. Kindergarten Open House today. First day of school next Wednesday. I still have to work full time (overtime) right now, but kids don't arrive til 9/9. I do like my kids a lot. They are all white, or close enough, but that is the only "problem" I can foresee. Only one of them won't talk to me. And only 6 of them haven't met me yet. Out of 28, that's pretty good. I hope a couple of those 6 no-shows end up withdrawing. I gained 2 and lost one today, leaving me with a whopping 28. I know things are still not even set in stone. By the first day, I could have many more changes. It always wows me when people don't prepare for this year. Last year I got new students well into the second week of school. It's such a huge deal that your child is starting school! I mean, isn't it?? For me it would be!
Josh and I are scheduled to go camping this weekend with Nikki and Dan. Sharonne and Vicky were supposed to go too, but they totally flaked. It makes me feel weird how it happened. They both canceled at the same time with the same lame excuse: the drive is too long for such a short stay. It doesn't make sense to me, because neither of them was going to drive--they were getting rides from me and Nikki--and we are scheduled to camp for 3 nights. That isn't a long stay? Were they expecting a week camping trip?? I don't understand that. I don't understand it when friends "team up" either. They aren't a couple. They don't live together. So why the same cancellation excuse and why cancel together? And both of them texted it and said, "Don't be mad at us." Obviously they think I should be mad at them or why would they have said that? I feel very weird towards them now. I know it's "my issue", but I just wish I felt differently. Hard not to "blame" them for my feeling this way.
I know all of this will feel better once I get some good sleep. I'm going to sleep in tomorrow, go in to school briefly, then leave for my camping trip. I plan to have a great weekend. I hope Josh helps make that dream come true!
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