Another Task Complete

Today I finished the mentoring program that our state makes new teachers participate in for three years. If you ask me, it's a complete waste of time, but that's just me. We sit around doing things that we did in college - reflections, observing, blah blah blah. I don't need to do it again. The second year of mentoring was all about creating the perfect assessment. Well that would be great, but we don't make any of our assessments. They are all handed to us from our district. The third and final year is basically just meeting once a month to BS and waste of time. We had some good discussions, but ultimately a waste of time.

Which brings us to tonight - our last and final night. We had to give a presentation about one aspect that we have grown in. I have to say it is the first time I did not plan in advance, I was not an overachiever, I just presented. They said no longer than five minutes and I presented for about three. I just had to say I did it. Well I did. I also had to miss a Phillies game because of this BS so that really makes me mad.

So yay for being FINISHED, but boo for missing the Phils. Currently I am sitting on my couch WATCHING the game on TV and drinking some wine to celebrate.


On a side note, I ran 3.5 miles today in 32 minutes. I think I added a minute, but at least I did it!

Happy Birthday!

Today, Sallie turns 25! Happy Birthday! We will have to visit Annapolis soon. Love you!

Crazy!

Our city had an election yesterday for different representatives for the different districts. A boy, who I was friends with in high school, was running for one of the districts. Some background information : we were pretty crazy in high school, partied like we shouldn't have and got away with it. Flash forward to now : I like to think I have grown up - have a job, finished my Master's, got married and am happy with my life. I couldn't ask for anything more. There are still some of my friends from high school (who I say Hi to, but don't hang out with) who think it's still cool to go to the beach every weekend and get wasted. I have absolutely NO desire to do this anymore. Who wants to be that out of control, have a hang over, and not remember half of what you did EVERY WEEKEND?

Every once in awhile, fine, but I don't want to make a fool of myself in front of hundreds of people I don't know.

Now, back to the election. This boy is still in this party phase. Why in the world would I want someone like that to represent me? Maybe I am wrong, and he has grown up, but last I saw of his pictures on Facebook (the wonder of technology) I doubt it.

A Gorgeous Saturday

Looking at the weather report all week, I knew this weekend was going to be wonderful. It started last night when I worked at the restaurant. I had a good night there - good tips, and busy but not out of control. I woke up this morning and went for a good run. There was an annual festival downtown today, and it was fun running through the streets before everyone was there and it was crowded. I did just over 3.5 miles in 33 minutes. Not bad with three days off!

The weather report was right on. By one in the afternoon it was around 92 degrees! Talk about a blast of heat. We went from 50 to 92 in about 2 days. It was wonderful. I did outside work and then took a nice, much needed nap.

Tonight I got together with my best friend, her sister and her daughter. We had a good time and ate outside at a local restaurant. It definitely reminded me of a nice summer night. I can't wait until June!

Bowling CHAMPS!

Today was our bowling competition. If you have been following, you know the rest of the 4th grade teachers and I went bowling almost a month ago. Since we were so "good," we decided to challenge the rest of the teachers. All together we had about 12 teachers go, and I must say we ROCKED it. The first game, three our of 4 on our team broke 100 (ok, so not a big feat, but for us it is!), and the same on the second game. I even bowled a 138! We had a few beers and had a ton of fun. A perfect afternoon after a long day at work.

Unfortunately I didn't get a run in today. I got home at a decent time, but I was exhausted from lack of sleep last night (another night of sleep lost due to this God awful deployment) and fell asleep until 7. I am bummed because I won't have time to run tomorrow because I am working at the restaurant after school. Oh well, the rest of the weekend should be gorgeous, so I have no excuses! I can't wait to lace up and go. Only 57 more days until I get to see my husband, so I better look HOT!

Clutter Free

FINALLY, the carpet upstairs has been laid and I have successfully moved everything back into it's proper place. I have a type A personality, so the disorder that was occurring in my house was almost overwhelming at times. Luckily, that is no more.

I came home yesterday after school, ran my 3.5 miles in 31 minutes, and then decided to move the last of the furniture back while I was still in a 'working' mood. My Mom came over and helped and then even made me dinner! I figured since I had come this far, I might as well completely finish it! All I had left to do was bring the new bookshelf upstairs and put it together. Simple right? Not so much. This is why Michael always puts new furniture together. I can read the directions and actually line up the parts, but I always seem to get stuck when I try to put in the last screw or get everything to fit perfectly. There were a few times I said a few choice words and wanted to cry because I wanted Michael here so badly. BUT, I didn't give up and around 9:00 last night I finished. I figured I had come this far, I might as well put all of our books back on right? Around 10 pm last night I was officially finished. I walked my exhausted behind downstairs, only to lay in bed for about 10 second and hear the fire alarm chirp. NO, we didn't have a fire, the battery was dieing. I marched back upstairs, replaced it, then marched back downstairs to my warm bed. It wasn't to be - IT KEPT CHIRPING! I failed to realize that 9 volt batteries have positive and negatives on it's SIDE and not on the ENDS. After a quick fix, I finally accomplished by goal of collapsing in my bed!

Needless to say, Michael owes me, IMMENSELY. I still have to move all the furniture in my bedroom so my brother can replace the carpet there....Ahhh. I foresee a LONG back rub in my future!

Back to the Grind!

Today was our first day back from vacation. I have to say, although getting up early was difficult, I was very happy to get back. The way I look at it, the quicker we go back, the sooner we will get to the end of the school year and Michael's leave! Only 31 school days to go!

Today also marks exactly two months until he returns! I can't believe it. I can't wait until I can say only one month, but for now I will take it. I just want a hug VERY badly. 61 days....

I hate Moving!

No, we aren't moving out of our house, but I have moved ALL of my furniture upstairs about 3 times now. My brother, who owns his own flooring business, is laying carpet in my entire upstairs! This is a difficult thing to do when you own a lot of junk. And I have realized, while I have moved it three time, I don't need half of the stuff which is why I am doing a major Spring Cleaning, not to mention buying some bins to organize everything in.

When we moved in, both Michael and I agreed on one thing - we hated the carpet. The carpet that was downstairs we replaced about two years ago with laminate (also my brother's handiwork), but never got to the upstairs. Since we are going to be in the house for a few more years, we decided to go ahead and replace the carpet on the stairs and the whole upstairs.

So far, I love the carpet. It is most definitely an upgrade and is gorgeous! We have one room that is completely finished, two more to go. It wouldn't seem that complicated - move the furniture our, lay the carpet, move it back. However, not so easy. He has to lay it, then stretch it (which means you have to make sure there isn't anything on it, furniture-wise), then finish it up. But since the carpet is all the same and it is necessary to create that cohesiveness, you have to stretch from one room to the next, corner to corner. Talk about a pain in the butt. Now I know why Michael requested it be finished before he got home on leave - so he didn't have to move anything! He owes me.

FINALLY Sunny!

I can stop building my arc now! It rained for two straight days - I don't think it ever stopped. How depressing on my Spring Break. But now it's over. It is sunny and gorgeous out! I got up this morning and ran 3 miles in 27 minutes, not bad if I do say so myself! Coach Dubis has also given me some great suggestions for what I can do on those rainy days, even those days when I take a break from running!

I also met up with the rest of the 4th grade team to get in a bowling practice. We went a month ago and had so much fun that we challenged the rest of the school to get teams together and play us! We practiced today, and we play everyone else next week. Wish us luck. If nothing else, we have a great time and laugh our as**s off!

I also planted some more flowers today and weeded my garden so I am ready to mulch it when it comes time. I love Spring Days!

Michael and the rest of the troops received a visitor yesterday. Senator Kauffman from Delaware, and another senator from Rhode Island visited their base. He sent me a picture which I will have to upload later. Only 65 days until R and R!

Rain, Rain GO AWAY!

So I am in a good routine : getting up in the morning, running, coming back, eating breakfast, shower and then being LAZY! But the weather is not cooperating. I knew there was a chance of rain today, with a higher likelihood tomorrow. I figured it would rain on and off today, but I could still get a run in. WRONG. It is pouring and I don't see any break in the weather. Any suggestions on what I can do in the meantime, and joining a gym isn't an option!

A Nice Run and Work

This Spring Break has started off quite nicely! I really did need a break from work. The kids are starting to get a bit crazy and I have had enough. They asked me to come into work at Medings on Friday day, and I also worked Sunday night. They asked me to come in again on Wednesday to work a double. I figure I should stop saying "Yes" at some point so I can actually have some time off. I enjoy making the money though, don't get me wrong! I do have off today and tomorrow so I can relax at least!

I also got in a very good run today. I ran three miles in 30 minutes, and that's with stopping for a total of five minutes at some point in there. I felt really good, even though it was cold outside and normally I have trouble breathing when it's chilly. I was very proud o f myself! Now I can relax and enjoy my day and feel as if I accomplished something!

Training, Day 2

I decided not to take today off, despite the VERY dreary weather outside. I had to wait until 4 this afternoon, but I did get my run in. It was the same as yesterday, but I ran longer before stopping for my three minute rest. I actually didn't feel tired breathing wise, but my thighs and back were tight.

I knew I wouldn't be able to run tomorrow due to church, and then work at 3:30, I decided I would do it today. I know my legs will appreciate the break tomorrow!

On a side note, Michael and I got to Skype for almost an hour today. I can't explain to you how great it is to actually see him. It is a double edged sword. I get to see him and hear his voice and see his facial expressions. It's amazing. But at the same time I want to reach through the screen and just touch him. 9 weeks to go until R & R. It can't come fast enough!

According to Coach Dubis....

Very good advice Dubis! I thought about that too as I was reading the book, only for the beginner stages does it only talk about minutes. Later, when I actually start training, it does miles. So today I will begin my tracking. Bright and early this morning I got up and started :

I ran 1.5 miles in my 12 minute run, walked for my 3, and then ran another 1.5 miles. All together it was just over 3.4 miles, and my running put me at about a 9 minute mile. I was proud of myself, I never stopped except for the time I was supposed to. Tomorrow, one mile for time...unless I'm feeling motivated HA. We will see how I feel.

The shoes I got for running were Under Armour ones. They had the best support when I tried them on, and are light and breathable. I ran today in them and it felt like I had been running in them for years. Very comfortable!

Then, I came home, planted some flowers, took a quick shower and then went to work at the restaurant when I think I walked another 3 miles at least! Needless to say I need a nap and a shower!

Spring Break!

It is officially Spring Break! YAY! That means it's also the beginning of the end of the school year, and I have a week to relax. Or a week to move furniture while my brother lays carpet in my entire upstairs, but whatever works.

After school today, I went up to the mall and purchased my new pair of running shoes! I figured if I was running 10 miles I should have a nice pair of shoes. Not to mention it gets me excited about running tomorrow.

Tomorrow morning I begin my training! I read the book, and it expected me to run 30 miles the first day without stopping. Since I cannot do that, I back tracked a little in the book, and am starting with something a little easier - running for 15 minutes without stopping, resting for 3 minutes, and then another 15. I figured I could do that at least! Wish me luck!

What I Have learned...

I have been accumulating this list, and waiting to post it since last year. After 363 days apart, my husband is coming home. It has felt like a lifetime at times, but I survived with the help of my family, friends, and a little bit of wine! Here is what I have learned over this past year....

• How to pay the bills
  
• How to not be so nice to people who don't LISTEN (people at big companies who don't know there is a war going on in Iraq apparently, refer back to November and December for more clarification)
• How to plunge a toilet
• How to get rid of a spider/bug by myself (NOTE : I did not say kill, I covered it up with a cup, then slid a paper underneath and freed it outside)
• How to make a claim on our house insurance (Refer to January and the fallen tree)
• How to get a car fixed and NOT panic (Refer to December and Michael's Honda)
• How to get rid of a mouse (GROSS, even though I learned I will NOT do it again)
• Train for a loooong run
• Use the weed wacker
• How to get the furnace fixed (Refer to March)
• How to sleep by myself (not so well, but I did it)
• How to burglar proof myself (There are certain checks I perform every night, you have no idea!)
• How to fix a lawn mower (Refer to May)
• How to get the air conditioner fixed (Refer to August)
  
• That little fights that you won't remember the next day won't matter
• Anyone who said to me 'It will be here before you know it' or 'Time will go by so fast' has never been apart from someone they love for an extended amount of time and deserves to be punched....in the face....more than once
  
• Even if Michael spends all night on the computer instead of spending 'quality' time, he is still here and with me, and that's all that matters
• I will never take for granted the time he vacuums, cleans, takes cares of the dogs, or fills up my car with gas. Although I felt at times it wasn't enough, it is more than I could ever ask for
  
• I love him more than one can imagine
• Wine, while tasty, can be the devil when you are already prone to sadness
• How to fix the lawn mower
• How to recharge a car battery
• How to fix the weed whacker (Seriously, what haven't I fixed, cut me a break)
• How to deal with the State Department of Education and TRY to get my husbands classes to count (I would yell at anyone for him)
• How to take advantage of money earned while he is deployed and take MORE classes...what else is new
• How to ask for help when I need it (sometimes)
• How to move an ENTIRE upstairs, and then move it back when you get new carpet installed (NEVER moving again without him....he got out of that one)
• How to connect with my husband emotionally, verbally. You have to when you are 6000 miles apart
  
• How to get a payment back from the city that you weren't supposed to make
  
• Soldiers are not the only ones who sacrifice, military families deserve gold stars for what they endure
• Never waste a moment to tell someone you love them, hug them or hold their hand. Those are things you miss the most. (And pizza night)
  
• Being apart from someone you love is unbearable at times, and physically painful
• But having them come home in one piece is worth more than I can ever express

I couldn't have done this with anyone but my husband. He is my hero and strength.

So happy to be together again...

The Army Ten Miler

Two nights ago, I woke up at 3 in the morning (like normal) to check to see if Michael had e-mailed me. I was pleasantly surprised to see he had, and I also had another e-mail. I opened it and was surprised to see a thank you for registering for the Army Ten Miler! I guess my husband decided I should run with him this year.

We talked about training for this back in October. I figured it would give us something to do while we were apart. But with an unknown return date, there hadn't been much talk about it since...until this e-mail. So I guess I have some training to do in the next six months! Any suggestions?

I do have a few goals I have already set :

1. To simply finish
2. Run 10 minute miles
3. Finish
4. Not pass out
5. Finish

Think its doable?

Lifting the Ban

There has been much talk since January when our new Presidents mentioned lifting the ban on photographs taken at Dover Air Force Base. If you don't know, Dover is the largest military mortuary used by the Department of Defense. It is used to process the remains of service members both during wars and peacetime. Since 1991, the ceremony welcoming these heroes home has been private. No cameras were allowed. Last night, this changed. Staff Sgt. Phillip Meyers was the first service member welcomed home publicly in 18 years. He was killed on Saturday in Afghanistan from an IED.

Personally, I don't know what took so long. Allowing cameras doesn't change how the Old Guard at Dover performs their task. If anyone has seen the movie "Taking Chance" produced by HBO (I highly recommend it, but have a box of tissues!), then you should know that the care and precision taken by the people who work at the mortuary are amazing. With or without the public, these heroes are treated with the highest respect.

Why shouldn't this ceremony be made public? I think it has been so long since we went to war, that there are many who fail to realize that thousands of family are affected by it. Unless you have someone who is serving, it seems like it's just another news story like the economy, or the local weather. Unfortunately, I think it takes a very personal picture like these to bring them to reality.

If all of our soldiers have a large public ceremony when the soldiers depart, and when they return home unharmed, why don't those who paid the ultimate price deserve the same?

Return of the World Champions!

I have been waiting for this day since last October when the Phillies won the World Series....it is OPENING DAY in Philly! Last year, Michael and I were able to go to the opening game, and even though it was very dreary out, we had a great time!

The Phils open up the series tonight at home verses the Atlanta Braves at 8 pm. I was called in to work today (finally!) from 4 - 8 so let's hope that side work is done quickly and I can get home in time for the opening pitch! Go Phillies! I wish Michael was here...

A Little Overreaction

So apparently I am so used to things going wrong around here that I didn't even bother to CAREFULLY look at the warning light on Michael's car. After speaking with him today and listening to him try to convince me that we should get a new car, I started thinking. Last time, when the car went south and I had to pay $500, it was a check engine light, this time it is a maintenance required light. Once I realized the difference, I also remembered it has been 6 months since his oil has been changed.....hence the maintenance required light. Michael is now disappointed he can't get a new car, while I am relieved we won't have another large bill!

Today, I went up to the unit and celebrated being halfway done the deployment. Olive Garden donated the food, which was fabulous, and there were clowns, balloons and an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. There was also a trivia contest to see how much you have talked to your spouse since they have been gone, and how much you know about the deployment. For the record, I did answer over HALF of the questions on my own, but since I pay extra to have a phone that has the internet, I figured I should put it to good use. After being RESOURCEFUL (this is a much better word than cheating), and asking Michael for some answers, I came in FIRST place and won myself a flower!

I deserve it dammit! No judgments!

Now I am sitting at home, relaxing with a glass of wine, and yelling at poor Rocky to stop ferociously bark at his reflection in the window. He just doesn't seem to understand poor thing!

If it's Not One Thing, it's Another...

It seems like this has been a common thing since Michael has left. When one thing around the house gets fixed, another one goes. It started with the sliding glass door which my loving husband did break, but left for me to fix. Then the maintenance light in his car went off, and $500 later it was fixed. Our computer and internet went next, so that required a new computer for me. A few weeks ago our furnace broke, and is just now being fixed, and while driving home last night from my parents, Michaels' maintenance light when on AGAIN in his car. If this problem is too expensive to fix, I vote we get a new car. I hate saying that when we have no car payments and are able to save so much because of that, but I refuse to shell out $500 every few months to fix something. I guess I have to wait and see what the problem is first.

Why didn't any of this happen while Michael was HERE? Convenient...

HALF WAY THERE!

For the past six months I have been WAITING for today. The day when I can say that I have less then 6 months to go, I am over the hump, I have survived for 6 months without my husband and now I can begin a countdown! Around December I found a countdown made in Excel. It is called the Doughnut of Misery, and counts down months, weeks, days, seconds and even has a snazzy little comment at the bottom to go with it. I have been counting since only 13% of this deployment was over. FINALLY, today I was able to click on to it and see this :
The comment : Congratulations! You're over the hump!

Today is a GREAT day!

Welcome April!

Well, I FINALLY made it to the month of April. As of tomorrow I am officially halfway through this God awful deployment, but that's for tomorrow's post!

I honestly didn't think I could make it sometimes, but now that I look back on October, November, December, January, February AND March I realize that it actually went sort of fast. As awful as it has seemed on same days, I have survived. When the deployment started I counted out six months in the future. I figured that if I could make it halfway I was golden. When looking at when Michael was coming home on leave, I figured if I made it to April when there was only two months until I got to see his smiling face and be in his arms (my favorite part) that I could do anything. Of course now that I am two months away from seeing him, I still feel like it's an eternity.

On the other hand, April is sort of depressing. I have been apart from my husband for six months :( How awful does that sound? It took me 19 years to find him, and then 5 more to actually be able to call him my husband, and then he was gone. Not fair!

BUT, we are in April, and I finally can see a little light, or at least a shimmer at the end of that tunnel.