Funny Forward

These "signs" were forwared to me by my sister. They are good for a laugh.

Sign over a Gynecologist's Office: "Dr. Jones, at your cervix."

In a Podiatrist's office:"Time wounds all heels."

On a Septic Tank Truck in Oregon : Yesterday's Meals on Wheels

On another Septic Tank Truck: "We're #1 in the #2 business"

At a Proctologist's door: "To expedite your visit please back in."

On a Plumber's truck:"We repair what your husband fixed."

On another Plumber's truck:"Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber.."

At a Tire Shop in Milwaukee : "Invite us to your next blowout."

On a Plastic Surgeon's Office door: "Hello. Can we pick your nose?"

At a Towing company: "We don't charge an arm and a leg. We want tows."

On an Electrician's truck: "Let us remove your shorts."

In a Nonsmoking Area: "If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action."

On a Maternity Room door: "Push. Push. Push."

At an Optometrist's Office : "If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place."

On a Taxidermist's window: "We really know our stuff."

On a Fence: "Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive!"

At a Car Dealership: "The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment."

Outside a Muffler Shop: "No appointment necessary. We hear you coming."

In a Veterinarian's waiting room: "Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"

At the Electric Company : "We would be delighted if you send in your payment. However , if you don't, you will be."

In a Restaurant window: "Don't stand there and be hungry, Come on in and get fed up."

In the front yard of a Funeral Home : "Drive carefully. We'll wait."

I Love Puppies!!

Who Doesn't Love a Cute Puppy?!

Scooter "Pooter Rotto Rooter" Reeves

Oscar- my dad's fearless daschund. This dog temps fate by challenging does, bucks, foxes and the occasional 9 iron.

STOLEN?!

As I was checking my list before heading out to Wal-Mart, I decided to grab the credit card out of it's hiding spot and paperclip it to my list. When I reached in to get the card, I realized that both the Wal-Mart and the Meijer cards are missing. I didn't panic because I am not the only one who uses the cards. So I called and talked to the money person in my boss's office. No one over there has them. She calls other people. They don't have them. My boss isn't answering his phone (it's his day off) and I can't think of any reason he would have it. After calling the Angola Wal-Mart and being on hold for a couple of minutes, I was finally able to get a number for the credit card company. I am currently on hold with them listening to crazy classical music. What makes this worse is knowing that after I'm done dealing with Wal-Mart, I still have to deal with Meijer.

Fun Day

WINNIE THE POOH DAY!!

Today is "Winnie the Pooh Day." His creator was born on this day in Scotland and now Winnie gets his own holiday.

Baking Soda to the Rescue

Ayron had his soccer tournament last night and they came in third. It was a good match and everyone was cheering them on. The team they lost to is not invited to play at the CCC next session and every other team doesn't like them. So it was cool to see everyone cheering for our team. But, back to my story.

We got home from soccer around 9:30 and since neither one of us had eaten a dinner I decided to make my speciality, mac and cheese. After Ayron was done cleaning up he came out to the kitchen to help. The water had just started to boil and I was elbow deep in dishwater so Ayron added the pasta and turned back to the sink to help me rinse. He heard to pops and turned to look at the stove. The burner was on fire. He looked at me and said, "Um...fire." Not loud, not in a panic, just like it was no big deal. He grabbed a pot holder and moved the pot. He realized that it was stuff that had boiled over the previous night that was on fire. We tried to smother it with the pan lid, but that didn't work. I reached above the side of the stove that wasn't on fire and grabbed the baking soda. Ayron used it to cover the flames and the fire went out. It wasn't a big fire, but normally I would have been screaming my head off. But we were calm. After the fact when we got back to washing the dishes Ayron said, "We should have let it go, then we could have collected the insurance money." I did not find that funny at all. I'm just thankful that God inspired me to do the dishes because had we not been in the kitchen, we wouldn't have noticed the fire until it got big enough to set the cupboard on fire, and by that point it would have been too late.

I think when I go to Wal-Mart today for work I'll pick up a fire extinguisher.

HELP WANTED

Just throwing this out there because it is a free way of "advertising" a job.

I am currently looking to hire 2 people for the Youth Improvement Program. The people hired would be working with at risk or troubled youth. You would be in charge of completing the daily activity (I have them all planned out), helping prepare dinner (supervising the kids), supervising the dinner clean up, and driving the van for "field trips." The hours are from 3:30-6:30. I am looking for people to fill the following days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (or any combination of those days). The pay is $15 an hour. This job would be perfect for a college age student or grad student who is looking to pick up some extra money. Experience with youth is a must. You have to have a clean criminal history and be willing to administer drug screens (you stand in the bathroom with them, but you don't have to watch them). I have a lot of feelers out at Tri-State, but I'm getting desperate. Heck, even if it's not something you could do on a regular basis, but would like to be on our "sub list" would be cool.

If you want more information or want to "talk" to me about it, email me at yipteacher@yahoo.com

I'm Hired!

Today was my meeting with the commissioners about me becoming a full time employee. I made sure I drug my boss away from his desk and we got to the meeting about 10 minutes early. They commented that this was the first time in a long time that my boss has been early. He told them it was my doing. Gold star #1 for me. When it was our turn, my boss stood up and said, "I'd like to hire Carma full time. She teaches for the day program and coordinates the evening program. The CC Board approved her hire and her salary will come from the XYZ (I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you) grant. " That was it. No fabulous introduction. No prying questions from the board. Just like that I became a full time government employee. I managed to wade my way through the paperwork. Heck, they are adding to my PERF and I was able to get a $25,000 life insurance policy (I know it's not a ton, but it's better than the one I currently have- NONE) for free. I spent more time getting dressed this morning than they did thinking their decision through.

The New Me

Since none of my students decided to show up yesterday, I took the afternoon off and decided to go get new glasses. I thought I was going to have to order them, and them come back and get them. I was lucky and they had both my frames and lenses in stock. Thanks to Greg I was able to walk out of there in 1/2 an hour with new spectacles. Here are what they look like. Mine are a dark red though, not black.

So as I was getting around this morning, I decided to wear my glasses. Well, actually I had made the decision awhile back. I have been wearing my contacts too much and my eyes were starting to warp and I've already had one bad eye infection, but back to my point. I knew I had the meeting with the commissioners today (that's another post) so I wanted to look decent, but not dressed up (they are not dressed up people around here). I decided to wear khakis, my red YIP polo with a white long sleeve shirt underneath. I recently had my hair professionally colored and once I put myself all together this morning, I didn't look like me.

I ran into my other office (across the street) to grab some paperwork, and one of the members of the CC Board (the one that suggested my nomination as a full time employee) looked at me funny when I pulled out my badge, swiped it by the wall, and walked in (the doors are locked and our badges allow us to enter without calling security and identifying ourselves). He asked someone who I was, and she said "Carma...you know her." He looked at me for a good minute and went, "Nope, that's not her. Are you sure?" Keep in mind I'm in "my" office and he doesn't think he can hear me." He finally realized it was me and came over and said, "You don't look anything like you used to." I said thank you. To be honest, I wanted that. I didn't want a drastic change, hence the subtle hair color, but I wanted to look different, older, more put together. I think the glasses may have been the icing on the cake.

Random Pictures

Here are some random pictures with captions. Now the captions may not be humours to you, but to me (and a select few) they are.

"Mom! The troll moved back into my closet and I can't get him out!"

*Joe, you have some pale legs! Love ya though!

"This there outbuildin is worth 9 grand. I told them there insurance folks they was wrong, but they says that's what it's worth."

Am I a Church Chicken?

Let me preface this blog by stating that this blog is not intended to offend anyone in my church. It is merely an observation on my part and my struggle to change a conditioned response.

Back in June, Ayron and I started to attend a different church. Our old church left us wanting for more spiritually as well as socially. It had become very cliquish and I didn't like how uncomfortable it was making new people. We decided to try out New Hope in Waterloo. We immediately felt at home and decided to make it our home church. We have gotten involved with others our age and while we missed every church service in December (holidays, Nikki, illness) we still felt at home when we went on Saturday night.

The message on Saturday night was about healing the sick. Pastor D focused on the scripture when Jesus puts his fingers in a deaf man's ears and then on his tongue and said "Be opened." At the end of the service they had a sort of alter call. Usually the elders and their wives are available at the front of the church if you want someone to pray with. The pastor asked that those who needed some sort of healing come to the front and pray with those who were available. Several people came to the front. Ayron tried to get me to go. I have been suffering from horrible migraines. I have had my vision checked (going again today) and been to the chiropractor and those two methods seemed to have helped, at least for awhile. The migraines are back. I've discovered that I can stay in front of the pain with caffeine, but I don't want to be come addicted to caffeine. I didn't go up because, I only knew one person up there (I'm not comfortable praying with people I don't know) and the church had turned into a circus (in my eyes). Everyone was praying out loud. The pastor was talking on the sound system. The pastors wife was singing/praying. People were praising God, but it freaked me out.

I grew up attending a conservative Church of God. Prayer was said in silence, unless someone was leading it. Clapping to music was hardly done, and when done, it was horrible off beat. The raising of hands was a rarity. New Hope is the opposite. Which is one of the reasons I like it. People are comfortable to worship how they feel. So why am I so uncomfortable with it? I've never lifted my hands during song or prayer. I've never prayed out loud in a big setting. Am I a chicken? Will I ever get over these feelings? I am comfortable with the people at my church, but I'm not used to their style. I'm hoping these feelings will go away.

But since I didn't go up for the alter call, I am now asking for prayer. These migraines can be killer and they turn me into a big grouch. All I can do it lay in bed perfectly still with no noise or light. I have an active life and demanding job, I can't be laying in bed every afternoon. I know that some people would ask why I don't go to my doctor. I have several responses to that comment.

A.) My doctor is extremely busy and I don't trust his PA's. While I trust my doctors, his PA's have missed some very severe things in the past.

B.) I don't like to take medicine. I just don't. I will wait till Ayron forces me to take some Tylenol. I did break down and by some excedrine migraine medicine Saturday. I guess I don't like medicine, because it is temporary fix. I took some before church, and on the way home, the pain came back.

C.) I'm not sure that I completely am comfortable with traditional medicine. It seems that a lot of people have gotten hooked on pain killers, anti-biotic, etc. I know this will offend some people (heck, my mom and aunt are nurses) but I'm discovering how much lifestyle and food changes can do. I have been treated with traditional medicine in the past, and it has worked. I had by gallbladder out, treated for several ear infections and strep throat, but I'd like to think that I can play a part in my healing.

So, I'm asking for prayer now.

Am I Getting Old??

As I was driving to work today, I decided to listen to an old cd I had burned my freshman year in college. It was full of those dopey love songs that were cool back in 2001. It hit me, Ayron and I will have been together for 6 years tomorrow. That is a long time. Then it hit me even harder, today is Madison's (our niece) 9th birthday. I know that I'm not old, I'm only 23, but still. I never would have thought that at 23 I would have been in a relationship for 6 years, have a house, dog, 3 nieces, and an extended family I'd love so much. My age was further revealed to me when I decided to listen to music at work. I put in a cd I made right after I got back from Spain (summer of 2001) and I am astounded that I could have ever liked this music. Bow Wow? I know that I never like his work, but I know that for some reason it was the punch line of many jokes those two weeks across the pond, but now I can't remember why and that scares me. That was only a couple of years ago.... Oh wait, I remember (the song was set on repeat on the in flight radio), phew, I'm not losing my mind.

Forwarded Funny

This was forwarded to me by my aunt, and Ayron and I thought that at least Michael and Joe would get a kick out of it.

Preacher Barber

There was once a small rural community--so small, in fact, that the only church in town was a small Baptist church whose pastor had to double up as the local barber to make ends meet.

A man living in this small community had invested wisely and was enjoying his newfound comfort. This man got out of bed one day to go through his daily routine. He looked into the mirror as he was about to shave and said to himself, "I make enough money now that I don't have to shave myself. I'll go down to the barber and let him shave me from now on." So he did.

He walked into the barber shop and found the preacher/barber was out calling on shut-ins. The barber's wife, Grace, said, "I usually do the shaves anyway. Sit down and I'll shave you." So he did. She shaved him and he asked, "How much do I owe you?" "Twenty-five dollars," Grace replied. The man thought that was somewhat expensive and that he might have to get a shave every other day. Nonetheless, he paid Grace and went on his way.

The next day, he woke up and found his face to be just as smooth as the day before. No need for a shave today, he thought. Well, it was a $25 shave. The next day he awoke to find his face as smooth as a baby's bottom. Wow! he thought. It amazed him, as he normally would need to shave daily to keep his clean-shaven business look.

Day 3, he woke up and his face was still as smooth as the minute after Grace had finished. Now, somewhat perplexed, the man went down to the barber shop to ask some questions. This particular day, the pastor was in, and the man asked him why his face was as smooth as it was the first day it was shaven.

The kind old pastor gently explained, "Friend, you were shaved by Grace, and once shaved, always shaved."

Are you kidding me??

So I had some down time right after lunch so I was crusing through the latest photos on yahoo. I stumbled upon this. It is a toilet and a fish tank. Do fish really need to see that view of their owners? Wouldn't some fish die of heart attacks?

What went wrong??

So I decided to take last night and pamper myself by having my hair professionally colored. While I managed to get my hair colored, it was not as relaxing as I would have liked. Not because of the stylist, SM rocks, but because of youth that I work with.

There is a new youth in my after school program who took it upon himself to video record a teacher's hind quarters. They were morphing in on the screen and making fun of her. Once she realized what was going on, the camera was taken and placed in my office. He continued to be a nuisance the rest of the night. He was told that he would only receive one point for the night (he was on time) but if this behavior continues, he would be removed from the program and placed back into lock-up. He claimed he didn't care. By this point the other students were trying to calm him down and talk some sense into him. His father called to say who was picking him up, and the student began to scream to his father over the phone. When his ride came to pick him up, he called her some names, and just left on foot. The teacher called me in a panic asking if she should call the police. I told her not to, but to contact his father and grandparents (dad works late and the grandparents are the emergency contacts). His father replied, "Oh, I know where he's going, don't worry about it." Don't worry about it? Your 14 year old child just intimidated not only a person on my staff by your girlfriend (his ride) and you say not to worry? When the teacher left work, she found that her car was covered in bodily fluid. She was assuming it was spit, but it was cold, so it had froze to the windshield. I told her to thoroughly check her car in the morning for ANY signs of damage, and we would file a police report if needed. This story leads me to my point, what the heck has happened that our youth think they can act this way and get away with it?

I work with troubled youth everyday, it's my job, but I am still amazed at how invincible they feel they are. Not just "I'm not gonna die" invincible, but they feel they are above the law. Reading their pasts, I can't imagine what my parents would have done if I had tried to get away with some of the stuff they do on a daily basis. Have people just forgotten how to parent? I know there are excellent kids and parents out there and that my view may be a little jaded because of the clientele I work with, but when did it become ok to let your child run the streets and intimidate 23 year olds and vandalize cars? Who decided that video games and tv shows about violence could replace family game night? Granted, family game night sounds a bit cheesy and I never had one growing up, but we did play games regularly. I would love to establish a family game night with my future family if that meant that my kids were more grounded and well behaved. I understand that you can only do so much as a parent, but doesn't a good foundation begin at home? So I'm trying to decide what to do about this kid.

I immediately called his probation officer this morning and left a message telling her that I have two teachers ready to quit if this student stays. It sounds harsh, but I'm wondering if some time in a locked facility would do him some good. Several of the students I work with said that while being locked up was not their highlight of the year, they did learn some valuable lessons. Maybe this student needs those lessons. He is only 14!

Odd

Ok, so I have managed to update grades and I had a couple minutes of down time to check blogs and surf the net. I discovered that my sister has a myspace page for her dog. Keep in mind that my nun to be sister holds a bachelors and master's degree and just turned 31. All fine and dandy I guess, but what gets me are all of the other dogs (their owners) who leave messages. Why pretend to be your dog and leave a message for another dog? I'm not trying to "slam" my sister, I just don't see the point behind it. Yes, I have a dog. Yes, he is adorable. Yes, I love him very much. Yes, I've posted pictures of him in my blog. No, I have not even created a myspace page of my own (nor will I) yet alone one for my dog. Call me a party pooper, but don't people have better things to do with their time?

We all complain about being so busy, yet we find time to blog (I'm just a guilty), chat(occasionally guilty), play internet games (guilty again), and update our myspace and facebook pages. Have our lives become so over loaded with long "to do" lists that we procrastinate by doing other activities? How much simpiler would our lives be without the internet. I know, all of you tech people are screaming, but think about it. I would like to go back to a time when we didn't have computers or the internet. Granted it would be hard, because I've never known a time like that, but I would like to try it. Would our friendships and relationships be stronger because we'd be forced to talk face to face instead of screen to screen? Would we be more physically active because we'd actually have to get off our butts and go to the store to get something instead of hitting "add to shopping cart"? Would we finally find time to spend those extra minutes listening to God instead of our ipods? Keep in mind that I'm not slamming technology, I use it on a daily basis (mostly for work) and I like it, I'm just wondering. Any thoughts?

SUPRISE!!!

So Ayron flew home yesterday, no suprise there. He told me he and the Auburn manager were flying home together. When I talked to him when "they" were driving home from Indy and I was going to pick him up at the Auburn store. He called to say he was just passing Dupont on the highway and that I should head out to pick him up. Well, about two minutes later, the doorbell rang. It was Ayron. He was the only one who flew home and his boss gave him the keys to his personal, brand new, really cool, truck! I was totally suprised! I was shaking. It was odd that someone I've known for over 6 years had the effect on me, but it was cool to still get those nervous butterfly feelings in my tummy.

Well, I did go and buy myself a Palm Pilot (Tungsten E3 Handheld) to be exact, but I'm having problems getting it to "sync" with my laptop here at work. So while my students are doing their community service, my boss and I will be trying to figure out my palm pilot.

I'll say it again...

...God works in mysterious ways. I hold to that theory. I don't try to figure him out, I couldn't even if I tried. I may wonder, but I know that I'll never truly understand. Case and point. Work has been crazy lately, I've been feeling overwhelmed and didn't know if I'd make it out alive or just run the other way screaming, "I QUIT!" I had this erie sense of calm about me today, which was a stark contrast to the emotions I felt yesterday. I kept questioning my calmness throughout the day. I tried not to worry about the things that were bringing me down (two staff memebers need to change their schedules, one gave me his two weeks). This afternoon I had a phone call from one person who I thought I was going to lose, she called me and admitted that she was afraid to ask me, but she was going to anyways. She wants more hours and she wants paid (right now she is fulfilling an internship). I said yes in a heartbeat! I called my boss, and it took all of 3 seconds to check the budget and BAM, I have another employee!! I may have even found a replacement for my staff memeber who is leaving.

I don't know why He allows me to worry. Maybe He is hoping that someday I'll learn my lesson and relax or maybe it's a constant lesson in patience, but either way, He is mysterious.

Weak??

Have I become weak? These days away from Ayron has caused me to wonder. I always thought I was fairly independent, not as independent as my sister, but able to survive on my own. While I have managed to survive the past couple of days, it was a struggle at some points. I hated coming home to an empty house that I knew was going to stay empty. Sure, Scooter was there, but it's not like he can carry on an intelligent conversation with me. By getting married, did I lose my ability to be independent? What would happen if I had to be on my own (God forbid)? I think I would lose my mind. I'd have to find a roommate. I don't know how people live alone, especially after living with someone. Maybe if you've always lived alone it's different. I guess what made it really hard was knowing that everyone else I know, had things to do. I did have a couple of friends that called and checked up on me, but then I felt like a baby. I thought, " I wonder what they think of me." I was talking to a friend on line yesterday and he said his mom felt the same way when her husband went on a trip for 10 days. That was ten days, Ayron will have only been gone 4 days. When he called me last night and told me that they might be staying till Thursday morning, I lost it! He and the Auburn manager are coming home because if they stayed the extra time, the cost of staying longer and switching flights would come out of their pocket. So I am happy that he is coming home tonight, but I don't want him to think that he had to cut his vacation short because of me. Have I become a needy wife? Are my feelings and emotions common? Maybe this time apart has been beneficial for both of us.

I know that I had been taking Ayron for granted, and this past month has proved that to me. Everything could change in an instant (Nikki) and our roles would change. We talked about "what if that had happened to us." It scared me to realize that God could take him away from me before I'm ready. It happened to his mom. She was married to Lyle, had Phil and thought she was set for the rest of her life. Lyle was killed in a car crash by a drunk carnie, and WHAM her world changed. She was left to care for a 4 year old by herself. Could I do that? If I had to, I think I could? She was lucky enough to find Tom, and the married and then had Ayron. I don't know if I'd want to remarry after something like that. I think Ayron is the only guy in this world willing to put up with me. It sounds morbid, but I told him that I get to go (die) first. I don't think I could handle being left for good.

Well now that I've babbled myself into silliness, I should get some grading done and decide if I really need the Palm Pilot I looked at yesterday or if it was just the thrilling thought of owning a new piece of technology. What do you think?

CrAzY wEeKeNd!

I had one heck of a weekend. Friday was the funeral for Ayron's grandmother. It was nice and small, but the cemetery was a flood. We did a mock set up because they were afraid the ground would cave in if we actually stood around the dug grave. Then after the funeral I had to deal with several work issues (still trying to figure them all out, and it's Monday). While we were in Ft. Wayne, we stopped by Parkview to see Nikki. When we got there, she was finishing up rehab, and they discharged her. We helped get her all loaded up and on her way home. She was so excited to get out of there, and I can't say that I blame her. We helped her get settled at home, and then we took Scooter to his vet appointment. He no longer has worms or worm eggs in his poo (yeah rah) and they gave him two shots. He got the combination shot that all puppies get and then we went ahead and had him microchiped. Then we went out on an official date. We haven't gone out on a "date" in a long time. We went to Mad Anthony Tap Room in Auburn. We were going to go see a movie, but neither one of us could stay awake, so we went home. We did end up watching "The Break Up." Wait, let me clarify, Ayron watched, and I slept.

Ayron left for Florida Saturday afternoon. I thought I was ok with being home alone, until I got home from Ft. Wayne (I needed some new jeans) to discover that I had nothing to do, all of my friends were sick or busy, and that I had to entertain myself. I lost it. I was crying and I called Ayron, and his boss offered to get me a red eye flight to meet them. I almost took them up on it, but heck, work went to pot when I missed one planned day, what would happen if I missed two unplanned days! I managed to calm myself down.

I spent Saturday watching movies. Auburn has a new video store, the only video store, and they are doing a promo where all movies are 99 cents to rent. I watched "The Break Up," "Step Up," and "John Tucker Must Die." Mostly mind numbing movies, but I had fun.

Now it's back to the grind of work and trying to figure everything all out. I think I need to join a yoga class for relaxation, but I don't know where I'd fit it into my schedule. Maybe I'll go back to tanning a couple of times a week. I know, I know, skin cancer, etc. But I need the fake sun to help me through this crappy weather we've been having.

Well, these problems aren't going to solve themselves, so I better get to work.

Working 9-5

Today is my first day as an official full time employee of the county. It is only 2, and I'm exhausted. I've worked full time in the past, but not like this. I feel like I'm split between four departments, two of them being my own programs. I have two students out today, so that allowed me some more time to get things caught up and reports filed. I even managed to clean out the cupboards and fridge this morning and grocery shop! Not to mention, make Kool-Aid!

Today is the last day for one of my students in the after school program. This will be he second time through the program. In the last two months, he has really stepped up and taken on a fatherly type roll with the middle school boys. I'm afraid that when he doesn't return, their behavior will go to squat. I am enrolling another middle school boy tomorrow so the ratio remains 3:1 (boys to girls). I was surprised that I didn't have as many messages on the answering machine as I did. I thought that a ton of students would get into trouble over break, but I was wrong. Thankfully, none of mine did, so it looks like I can avoid court for another week!

Well, I do have some grading to complete and transcripts to start.

When it rains, it pours

]['Ok, so here's some good news. Nikki is going to be released early. She is due to be released on Friday. She will need 24/7 watch, but she is doing very well with all of her therapy. She is excited and cannot wait to see Brutis (her St. Bernard).

Now for the not so good news. Grandma Margaret has passed away. She is Ayron's dad's mother. She has been in a nursing home for almost 2 years and was classified as an Alzheimer's patient. Her care had recently been turned over to Hospice, but she was still living at the nursing home. Apparently she hadn't eaten in several days, and this morning, she passed.

I am one of those people who believe that trauma's come in threes. I know that some people be live deaths come in threes, but I think it is broader. So I am wondering what is next. It seems like we just get settled into a routine, something happens. So, two down, one to go.

When it rains, it pours

Ok, so here's some good news. Nikki is going to be released early. She is due to be released on Friday. She will need 24/7 watch, but she is doing very well with all of her therapy. She is excited and cannot wait to see Brutis (her St. Bernard).

Now for the not so good news. Grandma Margaret has passed away. She is Ayron's dad's mother. She has been in a nursing home for almost 2 years and was classified as an Alzheimer's patient. Her care had recently been turned over to Hospice, but she was still living at the nursing home. Apparently she hadn't eaten in several days, and this morning, she passed.

I am one of those people who believe that trauma's come in threes. I know that some people be live deaths come in threes, but I think it is broader. So I am wondering what is next. It seems like we just get settled into a routine, something happens. So, two down, one to go.

Going Back...Full Time

I have to admit, this break has been nice. I've been able to work from home. I've managed to get the garage cleaned out and several boxes unpacked and helped to make the house seem like home. But, I also have to admit that it will be nice to get back to work tomorrow since I will be a full time government employee!! The commissioners are finalizing everything this morning, so lets all pray for them. It will be a rush to get everything done. I'll have eight "school" days to get grades done (I can't grade anything till they turn it in) and transcripts sent. I am proud to say that all of my students have been accepted back into their home school or the districts alternative school. It is a big deal to have 4 students accepted into the alternative school at once, so I'm proud. I am also very proud because I called my secretary today to see if anything major has happened over break, and so far, none of my students got themselves into trouble! I will miss being able to stay at home and play with my puppy whenever I want to, but I also want to get back to teaching.

A side note for Nat: Your nephew is growing like a weed. He is so long! He is laying on his pet bed (my big zebra pillow) and his head hangs off the edge. He's still just as cute though!!

1% (Nikki Update)

This update is mainly for a family friend of ours who is spending Christmas out west, but also for those people who read this and then pass the information on to their prayer groups. The doctor had Nikki go through another set of x-rays yesterday and finally explained why they have been doing x-ray after x-ray and why they are leaving the neck brace on, even though it rests on her broken collar bone. While I don't know the medical terms (I'm sure my Aunt L does) here is what we were told. She has a fracture at the base of her skull, where her spine stops and skull begins. 90% of people who have this type of fracture would have NEVER made it out of the car alive, let alone live long enough to be alive when the medics arrive. Out of the remaining 10%, 9% of those people are paralyzed from the neck down. Nikki falls in the 1% group. She has the injury, but is expected to heal with minor effects (I say minor because she is alive and able to move). She sent her mother home for the night (the first time since the accident that she hasn't been there) and was able to really get some rest. She did a lot of physical therapy yesterday and was really inquisitive with her father about the accident. She was asking a lot of questions and her dad kept saying, "I don't know what I'm allowed to tell you." She was able to figure out that she did wreck her grandmother's new car, but that it wasn't her fault. Her emotions are back, so between figuring that out and realizing she was in the 1%, she cried a lot. She did partially pass her swallow test. She couldn't swallow a cracker, heck I don't blame her. She can now have pureed food and they did take out her feeding tube. The doctor said that at this rate, it is looking really good for her discharge on the 9th. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. While I know she and Phil aren't exactly religious people, I know that prayer helps. I am hoping that this accident and realizing all of the power people's prayers have had for her will bring her closer to Christ.

Praying for Wisdom

So, I've decided to spend the morning at the local coffee shop working. But my heart isn't in it. It's really hard for me to do the work I need to do if I'm not focused, and I'm not focused. So I've decided to do some blogging as a way of prayer, and then spend some time in prayer. I'm praying for wisdom, not only for myself, but for a friend of mine. I don't know how to approach the situation, but I do know that it needs to be done. Out of my group of friends, I can think of two other people that could help me, but they are probably still sleeping. This blog is hard because I don't want to reveal too much before I go and talk to this person. I've never really "confronted" someone before, but I know that you go at it alone first, then if they don't listen, you take another brother or sister. Is it wrong that I'm scared to be the person who goes first and alone? I feel this person is blinded from the truth and I want them to see the truth, but I don't know how to uncover their eyes. I've been in a similar situation, and they helped me through it, so I never thought they would end up where I once was. I thought they were wise to that type of situation, but apparently not. So I'm praying for wisdom.

God, grant me the wisdom and the knowledge of what to say, when to say it, and how to say it. I want it to make an impact, but not destroy our friendship. I also pray that You grant them the knowledge to be open minded when it comes to what I have to say. Help them realize that I am not out to hurt, but to help.

Happy Holidays!!

Well, three Christmas parties down, one to go. We had Christmas with my dad on Saturday. It was crazy! Greg's nieces and their kids and significant others were there. We took Scooter and he did really well! He tried to play with the big collie, till he realized that in the collie's eyes, he was merely a chew toy! Ayron and I went down to the hospital on Sunday and saw Nikki. She is set to come home on the ninth. She is doing better and her physical therapy is helping. She is frustrated though because she feels she is talking slow. True, it's slower than her normal pace, but it is still at a decent speed. When we got home Ayron and I exchanged our gifts. He got me three funny t-shirts, a hoodie, a manicure set, and my big crock pot that I've been wanting. We spent Christmas morning with Mom and Natalee and then Christmas night with Ayron's parents and brother.

It is now 8:00am and I am sitting at the local coffee shop, Brew Daily, blogging and trying to get in the frame of mind to work. It is my day off and I was up at 7, I need help! I figured I'd work a bunch today and then take it easy the rest of the week.

Oh, I totally forgot about Friday night. We had our first annual Christmas semi-formal dinner at Michael's apartment. We ate dinner by candle light in his bedroom. Don't laugh. It was cool. It was Michael, Amy, Todd, Bethany, Ayron and I. It was very good! It actually helped me get in the mood to plan the Valentine's Day dinner we are going to have at our house.

Finally Feeling Like Christmas

Earlier this week, I mentioned how it doesn't feel like Christmas time, but I have had a change of heart and Scrooge had fled my brain. While I'm not feeling 100% like the holiday, I am still excited about getting together with family. I'm excited, yet stressed. We have a million things to do and I'm not sure how we are going to coordinate them all.

Friday- Dinner at Michael J's with MJ, Amy, Todd, Bethany, Joe, and Jen: I am totally looking forward to this. Actually, I really just want to see how we are all going to fit around a table in the apartment!

Saturday- Christmas with Dad, Greg, and Dr. D., and Nat. This will prove to be an adventure because I am taking Scooter with us. No big deal, but add in Dad's daschund, and Dr. D's collie, and it should be enough to drive Dad crazy!!!

Sunday- I have no clue, but I'm sure something will come up

Monday- Opening stockings with Ayron (the dog is our present to each other), Christmas with mom, Christmas at the hospital.

Next Saturday- The Reeve's Christmas.

For those of you who are not married, marriage adds another whole dimension to the holidays. You not only have your family gatherings, but theirs as well. And if you parents are divorced, that adds another layer to the confusion. Oh well, at least I don't have to come into work. That will help. I think I will work, but take the Adam approach, I will look for the moments God sends me to stop for coffee, chat on line, sit in the park, etc.

Moving on Up...er...Down Part II

For those of you who are avid readers of my blog (all 5 of you) you may be wondering why I have been doing a lot of updating on Nikki. Here is my reasoning behind it. Many family and friends are traveling for the holiday and reading a blog is the easiest way they have of knowing how Nikki is doing. Don't worry, I'm sure I'll be back to my normal, absent minded blogarieah in no time.

But for an update. They were supposed to move Nikki down to the 4th floor, which is the Orthopedic floor, yesterday. Neuro cleared her, started her on rehab/physical therapy, and then cleared her to move. We haven't been down to see her since Sunday because Ayron and I are both fighting the ickyies. I may cave and go to the doctor tomorrow. Anyways, Nikki is very with it. She remembers things she was told after the accident, which is a really good sign that her memory is still ok. She still hasn't mentioned the accident and we haven't asked her to recall anything. She is supposed to be in the Orthopedic floor for a minimum of two weeks and max of five weeks. She is such a tough person that it wouldn't surprise me if they discharge her after a week. We are planning to have a small Christmas in the hospital with her. Hopefully the cafeteria has some good food.

Refreshing

So we all know that I like to blog and read blogs. So while I was reading Todd's I noticed the links he had set up to other blogs. I knew most of them, but one "Pain is Silence" stood out to me. Maybe it was the title, maybe it was the fact that I didn't know who was behind the blog. So I checked it out. It is written by an "unknown" teenager, although I think I know who it is. It is refreshing to read the thoughts of a teenager. Some may feel that reading the thoughts of a teenager would take all of...oh lets say 30 seconds, but no, this is different. This person has deep thoughts. It's cool to read the work of a teenager who is wise beyond their years. After reading several crappy History and Econ reports and feeling devastated about our education system, it's nice to find out that there are some teenagers who have profound thoughts. So, if you've got a lunch break to kill, or just are curious, check it out.

Something's Not Right

As I sat, grading papers this afternoon, it hit me...Christmas is only a week away. It doesn't seem like it. Maybe it's the lack of decorations in my house, or the absence of snow. Either way, do I really need things such as those to make it feel like Christmas? I have had the urge to put in my Clay Aiken (yea yea, shut up) Christmas c.d. and sing along, but it is packed away in a box. Do we, as a culture, need such frivolous and silly things to remind us that Christmas is coming? Shouldn't we feel the way we feel at Christmas all year long. Christ didn't come just for one day, he came for years, and he is still here. Shouldn't we feel grateful and full of love all year long? I'm sure some of us do, but why does it get stronger in December? I know, we are celebrating Christ's birthday, but shouldn't we celebrate Christ all year long? Since, I can't find an answer, I'll just blame it on the lack of snow.

Moving On Up...

to the seventh floor. They moved Nikki late last week and Ayron and I finally made it down to see her. Both of us have been feeling under the weather, and the last thing she needs is extra germs. She is now in the neuro wing on the hospital and they are checking for things concerning her left side of her body (where she took the impact). She still has her neck brace on, but it broke and as she says, "It stinks." They are replacing it today. The doctor is supposed to explain today what is broken and how it's broken. Is it a fracture, a clean break, etc. Hopefully, we can get some more answers and maybe she can get out of the c-collar. She does remember people and things that have been told to her since the accident (our puppy) but she hasn't asked about the accident, nor has she been asked about the accident. We don't know, what, if anything, she remembers. Maybe it is the brains wonderful way of blocking out harmful memories. I showed her husband the comment by Devery, who called 911, and he has some questions. If you have an email address, I could just email them to you, if not, we can continue our comment conversation. Let me know. My email address is princesscarmie@yahoo.com

Well I finally managed to get my copy machine working again so I better make some copies before my students get here.

PS: Only 3 days of work (after today) and I'm on Christmas break. Yes, I'll still work, but I can do it from home, in my pjs.

DEVERY!!!

Devery,

I don't really know who you are, but I know that you are a blessing to our family!! I don't know how you were able to track me down and find out about Nikki, or as you call her, Nicole, but I am grateful you did! I don't know how to get in touch with you, but for now this works.

I would like to say thank you on behalf of my entire family. We are extremely grateful!! I am going to print out the comment you posted and take it to the hospital tonight. Just some background information you may not know, but could find interesting.

Nikki was less than a mile from home, she was going home to get ready to drive her afternoon school bus route. She is also a volunteer firefighter, medic, and president of the Spencerville Volunteer fire department. Her husband, is the assistant chief of the fire department. He heard the accident come across his pager, but he was working in Garrett at the time. The page didn't give a name, but he called Nikki to see if she was going to go on the run. When she didn't answer, he thought she didn't hear her phone. When her cousin, the head chief(they are all related somehow), got to the accident, he found her phone and realized that Phil had called her.

She is doing much better. She pulled out her feeding tube again, so they left it out. She is still in STICU, but they are planning on moving her to the 7th floor as soon as there is an open bed. They don't know when she'll be able to actually come home, but the fact that she is ok if fine enough for us.

I guess now that I've babbled enough, I'll actually try to find your blog.

Yark at School Day?!

So I'm wondering if I missed an important calendar day that all other teacher's know about. Is today "Yark at School Day?" Did I miss the memo and press conference in honor of this day? I have two students who have decided to honor the holiday by being ill. So, in a couple of minutes, my attendance will plummet to 60% of my enrollment. I'm not even passing today. Truth be told, I don't feel all that well myself. I think I'm on a Lysol high. After everyone decided to be ill, I decided to cover every surface in my "school" with a thick coating of disinfectant. Well, now that you've had your daily dose of gross out, I think I'll attempt to get back to work.

Pictures of the Puppy

We took several pictures Tuesday night so that we had pictures of Scooter to take to the hospital to show Nikki. When they move her upstairs, then we can actually take him. We did go down to the hospital last night, with Michael J and Amy (thanks for the house warming presents). She was having a MRI but they allowed us to stay after visiting hours so that we could actually see her. She is awake more, talking (although her speech is slurred), and still fiesty. She has a feeding tube, which she decided she didn't want yesterday, so she pulled it out. She yanked out her own nasal gastric feeding tube. Makes me want to sneeze just thinking about it. She was all excited when we told her we had gotten a dog. So without furthur babeling....here are pictures of Scooter Reeves.

AMEN, Part II

Yesterday was a great day for Nikki. All of her tubes are out and she's doing well. She asked for applesauce, but then decided she didn't like it because they wouldn't add any cinnamon on it. So she had ice cream instead. Well I have a lot of grading to catch up on, so I better get going.

Scooter Reeves

So everyone has been telling us to have kids, since we are so great with them. So we decided to have a kid. I decided that I wasn't ready for the nine months of feeling ill, so we bought one. Scotter is our son. He is a bassett hound and he was born six weeks and four days ago. I searched on the net, and this is the closest I can find of a picture that looks like him. This is not him, but a dog that has similar markings.

AMEN!!!

Ayron's dad just called and we have good news! They took all of the breathing tubes and feeding tubes out of Nikki. She is attempting to talk, but her throat is sore. They are taking her down for another scan and all is doing very well. Thanks for the prayers.

Oh yeah, I'm ont the parent of a 6 week 4 days old basset hound named "Scooter." He is so stinkin cute!!

Randomness

Here are some random things from the past couple of days. They may not make sense to you, but they'll make sense to other people.

* Apparently I have bloggereah (the blogging version of diarrhea)
* The prune eating contest would have been funny, since it wasn't me volunteering to compete
* The lounge at Parkview is not a pleasant place to try to sleep
* Thanks for all the prayers, they are working!!
* I'm getting a basset hound!

Nikki is doing better. They have drained the fluid from around her lungs and put her on an antibiotic. They are fighting a pretty big infection and fever. A new scan shows that her neck and skull may not be fractured and that her collar bone is fine, she still has three broken ribs. She is breathing on her own, but her broken ribs prevent any deep breathes so she is still on the vent for help. She has her eyes open more yesterday than in the past four days combined. She remembered Steve, the angel that pulled her from the car. She also recognizes her children's voices, which is cool but also a very tearful moment. She does recognize Ayron's voice, as well as mine. She tends to not let go of hands. She does get rambunctious. She threw a pillow at a nurse and tried to take off her heart monitor wires, so they had to soft restrain her arms again. We are all hanging in there and we know it's going to be a long recovery, but we have faith and prayers to help us through. The woman that caused the accident came to the hospital Sunday and talked to Nikki's mom and Phil, Nikki's husband.

Now on to good news, I'm getting a puppy. Maybe. We are going to check them out this morning and if we find one we like, we are getting it. We are looking at a liter of basset hound puppies. I am really excited! Well I should get ready to go see them!

Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

So I was feeling a bit ill yesterday and I had this feeling that I couldn't shake. I had just commented to my students about having those feelings that just don't go away when the phone rang. It was Ayron telling me that my sister-in-Law, N, had been hit by a semi. Someone ran a stop sign and a semi swerved to miss them, but his back tires hit ice and the back of the trailer took off the front of N's brand new car. I thought I was going to vomit. I left work, met Ayron and my mother-in-law, and we picked up her kids. That was the worst moment, telling the 10 and eight year old that mommy was hit by a semi. We spent the evening in the hospital in Fort Wayne. To make a long story short, she has a broken vertebra, a fracture at the base of her skull, her collar bone is broken, and three broken ribs. They are keeping her in a medically induced coma so she can rest, and they have her on a breathing machine. So far there has been no swelling in the brain, her pupils are equal and reactive and this morning she was able to wiggle her toes and fingers.

Ayron and I were talking on the drive home and he said, "Now I know how all of those people feel in those medical shows, I always thought they were over acting, but now I get it. I was so mad that the hospital was having a Christmas party while N was just laying there, injured, swollen, etc." I started thinking about his comment while I was trying to get some sleep. I found myself being mad at God. How could He? She hadn't done anything wrong! She's the one who helps people in accidents (shes a medic and firefighter) not the one that needs help. I was so angry. I still kind of am. Why her? Why someone who has three little girls? Is this God's way of trying to bring P, N's husband, back to Him? I know that God has a plan for everything, but right now I'm not seeing it. Maybe my frustration is blinding me, maybe I'm not supposed to see it.

I would like to thank Michael J and Joe for praying with Ayron last night. Michael, a big thanks for driving half way down to the hospital to see us. I'd like to apologize for my inability to make Chex Mix for Quest tonight. I was going to, but at three am, all I wanted to do was sleep. I don't know if we'll make it to Quest tonight, so if we don't, pray for N and our family.

I discovered that the accident was on the local radio's news. Here is what I pulled from their website.

(UNDATED) - Two people were injured yesterday when a tractor-trailer rig crashed into a pair of vehicles at State Road 101 and County Road 64 in DeKalb County. DeKalb County Police say 36 year old Lisa Bryant of Butler was stopped at the intersection when pulled her jeep into the path of a semi driven by 54 year old Carl King of Avilla. After striking the jeep, King's semi then went into a skid and jack knifed before it collided with a car driven by 31 year old Nicole Shull of St. Joe. Shull's car was pushed into a utility pole. She had to be freed by rescue workers. Shull was flown to Parkview Hospital with head and chest injuries. Bryant suffered a shoulder contusion while King was not injured. The crash, which took place at about 12:25, is still under investigation.

So I guess the police were able to piece together what actually happened. Is it wrong to be upset that the person who caused the accident only has a shoulder injury while Nikki is in STICU?

Still more information. People keep calling me (work people) telling me where they heard, this is what Froggy (the Auburn radio station) has on their website.

St. Joe Woman Injured in Crash Another car crash yesterday left a St. Joe woman seriously injured. It happened on S.R. 101 at C.R. 64, when a semi collided with another vehicle, flipping it onto it's side. The semi jack knifed and struck a third vehicle driven by 31 year old Nicole Shull of St. Joe, pushing her car into a utility pole. Shull was airlifted to Fort Wayne with injuries to the head and chest.

I became curious and checked out the kpcnews.com website and they have a picture, but since I don't subscribe the the paper, I can't get the picture big enough to make sense of it. I'll have to stop and by an Evening Star on the way home.

More Songs

As I was posting the last blog, I realized that two more songs have been weighing on my mind and heart. I don't know if I'm supposed to share them, but I don't know what else to do with them. They are constantly in my head, and I need to get some work done sometime today!!

24

Twenty four oceans

Twenty four skies

Twenty four failures

Twenty four tries

Twenty four finds me

In twenty-fourth place

Twenty four drop outs

At the end of the day

Life is not what I thought it was

Twenty four hours ago

Still I'm singing

Spirit take me up in arms with You

And I'm not who I thought I was twenty four hours ago

Still I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You

Twenty four reasons to admit that I'm wrong

With all my excuses still twenty four strong

See I'm not copping out not copping out not copping out

When You're raising the dead in me

Oh, oh I am the second man

Oh, oh I am the second man now

Oh, oh I am the second man now

And You're raising these twenty four voices

With twenty four hearts

With all of my symphonies

In twenty four parts

But I wan to be one today

Centered and true

I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You

You're raising the dead in me

Oh, oh I am the second man

Oh, oh I am the second man now

Oh, oh I am the second man now

And You're raising the dead in me

I want to see miracles, see the world change

Wrestled the angel, for more than a name

For more than a feeling

For more than a cause

I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You

And You're raising the dead in me

Twenty four voices

With twenty four hearts

With all of my symphonies

In twenty four parts.

I'm not copping out.

Not copping out.

Not copping out.

I Need You To Love Me

why, why are You still with me?

didn't You see what i've done?

in my shame i want to run and hide myself

but it's here i see the truth i don't deserve You

[chorus]

but i need You to love me,

and i won't keep my heart from You this time

and i'll stop this pretending

that i can somehow deserve what i already have

i need You to love me

i have wasted so much time

pushing You away from me

i just never saw how much You could cherish me

cuz You're a God Who has all things

and still You want me

[chorus]

Your love makes me forget what i have been

Your love makes me see who i really am

Your love makes me forget what i have been

[chorus]

Nagging

This post requires a bit of background information. I love music, all types. I also agree with a recent post by Adam about music. I do go through phases, and right now I am being drawn back into my love for music. I find it thereputic, I use it as a means of prayer and praise. Since I am at work alone for two hours each morning, I bring music (the radio frequencies from the jail interfeer with using the normal radio). This week I have been hooked on Switchfoot. I can't stop listening to it. "Beautiful Let Down" is on repeat in my player and constantly going. Normally I don't like to listen to the same cd over and over, but this week, I have. I don't know if God is trying to tell me something, so I keep listening and paying better attention to the lyrics hoping to discover why I have been so attached to this cd. One song in particular really gets me. I don't know if there is something I need to "hear" from that song or if by this post, the lyrics will reach someone else. So I've given up trying to figure it out myself and decided just to post the lyrics and see what happens.

Tell you where you need to go
Tell you who you need to be
Tell you what you need to know
Tell you when you’ll need to leave

But everything inside you knows
Says more than what you’ve heard
So much more than empty conversations
Filled with empty words

Chorus: And you’re on fire
When he’s near you
You’re on fire
When he speaks
You’re on fire
Burning at these mysteries

Give me one more time around
Give me one more chance to see
Give me everything you are
Give me one more chance to be... (near you)

Cause everything inside looks like
Everything I hate
You are the hope I have for change
You are the only chance I’ll take

Chorus

When I’m on fire
When you’re near me
I’m on fire
When you speak
And I’m on fire
Burning at these mysteries
These mysteries...

I’m standing on the edge of me (x3)
I’m standing on the edge

Chorus

And I’m on fire
When you’re near you
I’m on fire
When you speak(yea)
I’m on fireBurning at these mysteries...

Everyone Should Do This!!

This is an email that was sent to me by my boss and I thought it would be helpful to a lot of people.

REMINDER....13 days from today (this was sent to me yesterday), all cell phone numbers arebeing released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls. .....YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLSTo prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222.It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time.It blocks your number for five (5) years.You must call from the cell phone number you are wanting to have blocked.You cannot call from a different phone number.HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS

Oh No!!

Have I become dependent on Wal-Mart?? It seems that I assumed I had a lot of items that I don't. Moving has taught me other wise. So I got to work this morning and I began to make a shopping list. Shovel, Chex cereal, nuts, shampoo, parchment paper, etc. I automatically titled my list "Wal-Mart." That scares me! I've always been the type of person who would rather support a local shop than a big chain. In Auburn, that is hard to do. All of the grocery stores are chains, and Wal-Mart does provide one stop shopping.......guess I'll have to give up and go to Wal-mart.

How They Celebrate Chirstmas in Spain

This is the coolest sand castle yet!!

Requests for Quest

So I trying to decide what to take to Quest this Friday night. If you don't know what quest is, here is a brief description stolen from Nathan.

"...the monthly gathering of 18-29 year olds on a journey to encounter God."


Last time I made puppy chow and everyone loved it, well I'm assuming since the bowl was empty when I took it home. I am trying to decide if I want to make puppy chow again. Here is a list of snacks I have contemplated bringing. I guess I'll bring which one wins the most "votes"

A) Puppy Chow
B.) Chex Mix
C.) Stained Glass Cookies
D.)Apple Pie

Let me know which one you want for Friday.

It's a miracle

So I took a mental health day from work yesterday (it was planned and I had a sub so don't worry) and Ayron usually has Tuesday's off, so we went to Fort Wayne and went Christmas shopping. We got a lot of our shopping done!! Yeah!! As tired as I was, it was fun.

I know that it is hard to believe, but I've hit that stage, well it was about 3 years ago, where it's no longer about the getting but the giving. I guess I take after my mother that way (although I will never fold up the wrapping paper, this only makes sense if you know my mother). I enjoy making a list and thinking of the perfect gift for each person. I also enjoy the hunt of finding that perfect gift. I was struggling with what to get a friend of mine for Christmas. We have only known each other for about 7 months, but we are getting close and doing more things together. So I called a mutual friend of ours, he gave me a suggestion, but I couldn't find it. As I was wandering around the store hoping that something would jump off the shelf at me, it did. Not joking. I was talking to God and thanking him for these new friends in my life and asking him for some guidance with the gift buying situation. I had looked at a particular item several times, but always put it back on the shelf. As I began to walk away, the item flew off the shelf and landed on the floor. I looked up and muttered, "Very funny Lord!" You see, I believe God has a sense of humor and this was His way of getting my attention, and it worked. I also bought myself a present while we were out and about. I decided that I needed to read Blue Like Jazz since I've heard so many things about it, so I bought it. Hopefully I can get it read in the next week or so and then I can understand all of the references people make to it!

Our first night

So we actually spent our first night in our house last night! It was odd. Things are still in boxes, our living room is a maze of half unpacked boxes and old packing material. As we were watching the news, Ayron commented on how it felt like we were staying in a hotel. It is an odd feeling. I know that "this is not our home" feeling will go away once we get stuff unpacked and slowly get settled into a routine. It's still nice to have a place of our own though.

We Did It...

but not without help. A BIG THANK YOU goes out to the glassesless Nathan Diehl who helped us move on Saturday. Most of our clothes are still at Ayron's parents' house, but other than that, we are done. We have yet to actually spend the night in the house because we are beagle sitting for my mom until tomorrow, so it's just easier to stay at her place, that and we haven't really begun to unpack anything at our house!

I did manage to drag my tired behind to work today. It's gonna be one of those days. No matter how positive and upbeat I try to be about the day, I'm pretty sure it's not gonna happen, and here's why. I have court today, court automatically brings your day down a notch on the "good day" scale. I came to work early to get stuff around for tomorrow (not going to be at work) and my trust, yet temperamental, desktop will not boot-up. I'm about ready to boot it out the window. So I decided to get the stuff I needed off the "back up" computer. It won't print! I am enrolling a new student today, who does not want to be here, so that will be a thrill. I don't have any work for the new student to do because it was emailed to me, and I can't print it off! I have to get all of the work ready for 5 students for tomorrow and think of every possible thing that could go wrong, and plan for that as well. I'm wondering if it would be easier just to come into work tomorrow, NOPE! I am taking my day off and getting all of the odds and ends that go along with moving done. I have to have my driver's license changed, which should waste about half of my day off. Then A and I are going to Fort Wayne to finish Christmas shopping and pick mom up from the airport around 6:30. I just wish I could fast forward to the end of today!

** Update**

It is amazing what prayer can do. After I blogged and before I began my crazy day, I spent a couple of minutes meditating. It helps me calm down. Now I don't do the traditional, clear your mind of all thoughts meditation. I just lay on my back, on the floor, arms at my side, eyes closed, and pray. I've gotten wise about praying for patience, so I prayed for serenity and guidance. I immediately saw his work in my life. I had court, normally I'd be all stressed out, worrying about testifying, etc. I was calm. I talked to the attorney, probation officer, offending student, etc. Court went well. I came back to the house, found a way to print out materials even though my computer is dead (thanks to Brooke for letting me use her computer), got tons of work around for my students to do tomorrow, enrolled a student, and I am now waiting for another student to come so I can enroll her! So a big thanks goes out to the BIG GUY upstairs.

Fellow Teachers

I am seeking advice from fellow teachers and instructors. I feel that I have done the right thing, but this morning I was chastised by my aide about actions I took yesterday morning. Here is some background information as well as what happened yesterday, let me know if you think I did the right thing.

My handbook clearly states that drugs and/or alcohol are not permitted on the grounds of my "school." They are also not to come to school under the influence of any illegal substances, including alcohol (none of my students are 21). The handbook also clearly states that students are subject to drug screens if suspicion is proved.

Keep in mind the following students is only 13 years old and is here for intimidation charges. I have already caught this student smoking cigarettes in the bathroom on his first day here. Yesterday when he was picked up, my aid noticed an odd aroma, once being a hippie, he knew the smell was not second hand cigarette smoke. He asked the student, and the student admitted that he was high. When asked if he could pass a urine test, the students laughed and said, "Nope." My aid continued to ask where, when, and how it happened, the student kept changing his story, finally setting on one that involved him smoking it with his step mother. His step mother wasn't even home yesterday morning. He came to class, and I noticed his eyes, munchies, and odd smell. He is normally very focused and loves to get work done. He was giggling and causing my other students to loose focus. So I checked my suspicions with my aid. My aid admitted that he knew but didn't want to tell me and that we should give the student a "get out of jail free" card. I explained to my aid the handbook rules and reminded him that the student used that card when he was caught smoking in the bathroom! I had him drug screened, and no big shocker, he tested positive for THC. He is no longer allowed in my program.

I feel I did the right thing, so why does my aid feel the need to chastise my decision?

Amazed

I am amazed at students today. Sometimes it is a good amazement, sometimes it's more appauling. I have had both situations today. I have a student for 5 days. He was suspended from the local middle school and they did not want him to get behind since he does have an IEP. I agreed to work with him, afterall, it's only five days. The problem this kid has is not his learning disabilities, it's his last night. He is the youngest of three boys. Since the older boys have been in and out of trouble (I've had one in the night program and one successfully complete the day program) he is automatically labeled as a cruddy kid. He is a great kid! He is eager to please and loves to work. He just needs someone to give him the time of day. I'll admit, when I heard his last night, I was hesitant because of the actions of one of the other brothers, but he has proven to have a hard work ethic and he is very smart! He has completed five days of Math work in less than an hour today, he took a Math quiz. He has finished about 3/4 of his English work, 1/4 of Social Studies, and 1/3 of Science. If he works at this pace tomorrow, he could very easily have his five days worth of work done in 2! It is our goal to have all of the work done by tomorrow so that he can call the principal (with my permission) and tell her that he has all of his work done. That will knock her socks off!

But I've also had the extreme today. The guy that drives the van, picked up our youngest student today (he's 13) and commented by saying, "You smell like smoke, and not tobacco." The student claimed he had been home all morning, then later he changed his story to say he was in a car with someone who was smoking pot...anyways, long story short. I had him tested. He admitted to the officer before even filling the cup that it would come back positive for THC. They did a rapid test, and sure enough, he wasn't lying! The sad thing was, this all happened right before he left for a hearing with the school. This will defiantly cause some trouble in his life, but legally, I had to have him checked. He came to school high.

It amazes me how the kids who come from the messed up homes can be so stable, and the kids that come from stable homes can be so messed up!

Homer as Santa?

While on my morning commute I discovered that a house on CR 39 had an interesting Christmas display. Homer Simpson dressed as Santa. Now, here is why I find that repulsive. I was not allowed to watch the Simpsons growing up, and frankly, I don't feel like I missed anything by not being able to watch it. I did watch an episode in high school, but only because my psych teacher found out I had never watched it, so he made us watch the episode where the president moves in next door. To tell you the truth, I think I slept through it. I know that Christmas has become a secular holiday, but isn't dressing Homer up like Santa a bit disturbing to anyone else? Has society forgotten that much about the real reason of Christmas? I hope not.

Pray for Me

I am asking for prayer and sanity today. I have been at work for two hours and the phone has rang at least once every five minutes. You may think I'm kidding, I'M NOT! In about ten minutes I will be enrolling two new students from the high school. Tomorrow I will be enrolling another student from the alternative school and one middle schooler who is out on a five day suspension. Pray for my patience and sanity oh, and wisdom because I have no clue how I'm going to do all of this and still get my other daily work done!

Dogs

So we have decided to get a dog. Wait, let me rephrase that, a puppy. Now, I am all about rescuing dogs from the shelter, but last time we did that, it turned into a nightmare. I have been watching the paper and talking to fellow dog lovers/owners. We have decided that we want a small dog. By small, I'm not talking tiny weiny, we are not tiny weiny people. I am thinking about a cocker spaniel. But I also have my mind open to other possibilities. Does anyone know about cocker spaniels? Here is a list of questions we are researching about dog breeds:

How big will they get?

How bad to they shed?

Are they easy to train?

Do they have a laid back temperament?

How much maintenance? (grooming wise)

Are they good with kids?

Will they travel well? (I'd like to make it a classroom dog)

If anyone can offer some cocker spaniel advice, that would be cool. Or if you've got a breed suggestion, that would be cool too.

Why?

Why is it that the parents that give up on their child and abandon them are the first people to scream and throw a fit when someone else tries to help their child? Why do they suddenly think they can come back into their child's life and pick up where they left off? They have already severed those ties. Their child doesn't like them, doesn't trust them, doesn't want anything to do with them, so why do they suddenly decide to try? I know why a majority of them try, to look better in the eyes of everyone else. Why do they think that the people they are trying to impress won't realize the truth? Why do they make such a big deal about having to help their child one minute, then scream and whine when someone else tries to help their child?

And on the flip side...

Why are there parents who want to do EVERYTHING for there children? Do they not want them to make mistakes? I know some mistakes can be fairly large and cause damage, but small mistakes only teach us. A child has to learn how to become an adult at some point, why not use the teenage years as a teaching experience?