April 30, 2015

On the way to dropping the kids off, we passed a home on the corner which has a Westfalia (it was just leaving its home base).  Somehow, it ended up right behind us on the freeway, then he passed us and we moved behind him.  As he turned off, we both looked at one another,  Maggie waved and he waved back.  Westy love.  There is something so cool about being near people who share the same passion. 

More clothing malfunctions today at work(though yesterday Maggie told me my skirt was see-through, but it was in a certain light, so I think I was ok at work): my zipper was a bit south.  I think this is why I hate clothing – it just doesn’t really work for me. 

It was a tense situation today, growing worse with every passing minute.  There was, as usual,  no eye contact, no attempt at communication and then…evaluation.  But rather than sign and agree, I told my side – and am in touch with the union rep.  I’m not the first with this complaint and I shan’t be the last, but I’m sure as hell gonna say something.

Made it to my site….  Good news!  I’ll be joining in a DBT group on Tuesdays! First group was fun, though it is difficult to focus after such a meeting at work.  I am so grateful my high school years are done. 

Tonight was the final Parent Project group and it has been very helpful to me in many ways.  It gave me something to look forward to - despite Thursdays being a very busy day.  I learn a lot by observing Jen and I see how the class works.  The cool thing is I was one of these teens, so now I’m on the flip side and am working with the parents.  One bought and brought something to class that we had discussed with the police/RO officers:  meth pipes which are sold at gas stations.  This world never ceases to amaze me.

Pictures:  How ironic that today this is the cup I chose to drink from for the first time; A squirrel ponders; A lovely meth pipe sold at your local gas station/smoke shops.

April 29, 2015

It was a very odd feeling, being able to “sleep in” on a work day, but the kid’s ortho appointment was at 9ish, so I could sleep a little later.  It was an easier morning – just knowing I didn’t have to go to work right away.  I liked that a great deal.  I had decided somewhere in the night that I needed to attend the Grateful Dead’s final “Fare Thee Well” (which I say everyday – coincidence?  I think not) show in Santa Clara, so I found a ticket which, while still high, gives me a view of the stage.  I think it’ll be fun.

We got into the office and were greeted with smiles and happiness.  The children were terrific patients and I was amazed at the change since I was had braces – no bands or spacers needed…no months of pain before the days of pain.  The kids even got to choose colors of their braces – Ethan stayed with silver (my sensible child) while Maggie chose blue and pink (adventurous).  Despite having given them Ibuprofen before, it was suggested I should also give then acetaminophen, so we stopped by Rite Aid and then I dropped them off at school. 

After work, I pulled the bus in front of the kid’s school and still had a 20 minute wait, so I went in the back, popped open a window, and kicked back for some reading before school let out.  I am THRILLED with Lizzie and praypraypray that the major bugs were fixed.  I know there will be things that pop up, I get that.  It is a 39 year old vehicle, after all, but again, I have heard great things from mechanics on her condition, so I am hopeful. 

The kids and I went to the store to get “soft” foods and then headed home.  We did a little weed pulling and Mags discovered a huge black widow with her egg.  We had re-located one we found inside once, but the ones outside we usually leave.  We know where they are and we aren’t idiots.  We’d gone inside and by time we got back, she was gone, so I got the egg and we destroyed it.  I got the memory foam I’d gotten for the bus and we tried it out.  It is so comfortable!!!  With my duvet and lantern in there, I’ll be in heaven.  There is a swap meet in Lincoln on Saturday that Ethan and I will swing by.  I want to learn about the sink.

 

Mags and I prpeared her for her school's 70s day (I fully support this), then we ate a little and hung out, watched our show.  I have to tell you it is so nice being able to come home and do things like garden and hang out with my kids.  I’m going to get started on my case studies soon so I don’t “lose it” (writing skill) before the cap stone project.  CRB on Tuesday…can’t wait <3

 Pictures:  Waiting for school to end; Before and after; Blackbird singing in the dead of night...well, day...in the garden; This is how he scared me today.  Neighbor heard me shriek, "Goddam it!!!"

April 28, 2015

The air was fresh and beautiful as the kids and I left the house.  I was in a good mood – Maggie had changed String Cheese Incident to GD’s “China Cat Sunflower” and that song brings a lot of happy joy to me.  Shortly after arriving to work, I received a call from the mechanic’s shop – Lizzie was ready to go, which made me very happy.  As far as electrical, there had been repairs of shorts and other stuff – because of the rust which the previous owners had “repaired” and hidden with the paint job, it would continue to be a problem with moisture until I got the area repaired – which is what Dreamboat Michael had told me That One Fine Day too, but I digress.  Back to work.

It was the first of the SBAC days, which is good in terms of time away from the classroom.   I am saddened by the amount of bullying which goes on right under everyone's noses.  I learned of three cases within an hour of each other and the tough part is doing something about it.  I remember being bullied in high school and it was terrifying.  One day, I couldn't take it anymore and called her - there was little else that could be done.  I told this person that I don't know what she may have been told, but I had never said anything against her and if I did in anyway offend her, I apologized (making amends since my teen years).  She never bullied me again.  I'm not sure how to handle such cases, because there is little that is actually done.  Sure, we have a zero tolerance policy and it is basically lip service.  The rest of day went well and off to pick up the kids!

I dropped the kids off at home and headed to the shop.  The receptionist Bianca has an adorable little girl, about 3, who often gets the papers as the printer spits them out.  I told her I am so impressed with her that I would love for her to work with me if I ever have an office…her little girl face reminds me off cotton candy and happiness.  The bus was parked in the back, with other VW siblings in a pretty tight squeeze.  As I waited for Bianca to talk to the guys about moving Lizzie out, the little girl whispered, “Drive her out!”  I smiled.  And that’s exactly what I did.  It was a terrific arm workout (no power steering), but Lizzie is like a graceful ice skater…sorta…and we maneuver well together.  Supervision was terrific, as always.  My supervisor thinks I will easily get the hours needed for finishing over the summer, which makes me very  happy (see previous post).  I hope so. 

Brent dropped me off and I spoke with the owner of the shop for a bit.  He checked out my car and thinks she is in pretty good shape, considering.  There is little rust (see post 1), which is really the biggest issue of VWs – the other stuff can be replaced.  The issue should be ok, but I need to drive her lot to see how she does.  If there are more problems, they will have to get into it, but he seems to think they got it.  I will contact a local window shop and there will have to be some work done rust area, but for now…fingers crossed.

Maggie and Ethan wanted to go out big on Their Last Night of Bare Teeth, but when I got home, Ethan had changed his mind, so Mags and I headed for her frozen yogurt with gummy worms (final dinner before braces).  I grabbed a carnitas burrito.  Taqueria Tepa wins, hands down.  Then we headed home in a very happy bus.  The Office helped us out (tonight’s last hysterically quote is by Michael G. Scott, “I’m a huge fan of Woody Allen, although I’ve only seen ‘Antz’”) and then Ethan helped me Montessori roll the huge rubber mat I bought for the back of Lizzie as heat and sound barrier.  It is far too big and now I have to send it back.  Then early-ish to bed as tomorrow is the arrival of the metal on their teeth – both of them.  20 minutes apart.  Awesome.

Pictures: Mags sitting in our Lizzie, eating fro-yo; Maggie's fam-shot; A red Mexican chair; Halfway there since the count-down calender began.

April 27, 2015

This morning was, for lack of a better term, just plain weird.   Despite the things I need for practicum, not having class/homework delivered an entirely new sensation, as in – what do I do now?   For the first time in three years (or thereabouts), I made my bed, then  folded some laundry (wish I could say this was rarely done but it happens far too often),then  I started cleaning the kitchen.   I was in a terrific mood and felt utterly relaxed.  This weekend was exactly what I needed and considering I know of the importance of self-care, it had been far too long.  

I am now in Music-Mode.  The air is spring fresh, the joy of summer is right around the corner and it is TIME!! Time for music, for fests, for free-spiriting (within reason, of course, I mean, this is me we are talking about).  Before work, I wanted to drop off the paper work for Lizzie which I had located so they knew what had been done in the last years/owners.  On the way, I listened to Umphrey’s Mcgee.  What sound!!  School was grand – a D-back schedule with SBAC schedules on Tuesday and Thursday and the kids get braces on Wednesday morning, so…  All I have to worry about is Friday!

 I received a funny little message from a little girl while I was at work…something about track practice either ending or starting at 5:30, having no shorts and a lot of “umm” or “soooo yeah’s”  I wasn’t really able to comprehend the message and tried calling back, but no answer.  After I picked up the boy (apparently she had gone home with someone else), I tried to nap for a bit…not having school work is freaking my body out so clearly the best thing to do is sleep.  I headed to the track in preparation of picking up or watching.  I feel a little bad.  With Ethan and baseball, we were always there – all of us, even L., watching, supporting.  Mags has somewhat beat her own drum in terms of support, doing what she needed to do in volleyball, or track last year.   I love that girl and am in awe of her.

Once at home, Ethan had prepared steaks for him us and spaghetti for Maggie (she is still a vegetarian, which I fully support), and we watched The Office together.  Those writers amaze me and I’m usually laughing hysterically at least once during the episode.  Tonight it was Kevin running around the office for a training seminar to Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train.”  At some point, Ethan did the “scare mom” part and jumped from around the corner.  He does this every day when they’re here and it thrills me to no end (though I walk around very cautiously when they are here)and when he does scare me, I scream, shout an explicative and then whack him on the head.

Classes are finished. No more required reading, though I would like to start on the case studies and the Capstone project.  I looked at the snow covered mountains today and realized I can go hiking on weekends again!  There is a lot of promise for the future, but RIGHT NOW is amazing!!  I have such a joyous time with my kids…my life is blissful.  I’m happy.

Pictures:  Terrapin bands from Saturday night; My mistress...the bed; Time catch up on magazines...; Mags caught Ethan in action.