|
XcatfeeshX
|
read my profile
sign my guestbook
Name: Sarah
State: Ohio
Birthday: 4/15/1983
Interests: Swimming, running, reading, music, beekeeping, farming.
Expertise: Slackery, procrastination.
Occupation: High school science teacher an
Industry: Education/Research
Message: message meEmail: email me
AIM:  xcatfeeshx
Member Since:
5/12/2003
 True
|
|
SubscriptionsSites I Read
|
|
|
|
| I haven't written in a long time, but despite my proclamation, months ago now, that I'd be leaving Xanga, here I still am, reading the entries that come sporadically from a few strongholds in the more-than-160-character-updates world. It's been so long since I've written, it actually took me a little hunting around to find the link to open a new blog entry.
So here's my update:
Work: I'd been pretty much begging for the Kids' Department Lead position at work for five months or so, when annual performance reviews rolled around. The store manager called me into his office and told me to close the door, and my stomach did a little flip-flop. Then he talked for a long time about how he wanted to make me the kids' lead because he thinks I'd do a great job, but that we're limited in the number of leads we can have, and already have too many. So he's going to make a girl who's already a lead the kids' lead. . . and train me for management instead! The process has started already, with me cross-training in all departments. I've spent a couple weeks training in the cafe (and I'm proud to say, I make a helluva latte!); next, I'll be training as a head cashier and then I'll spend a week training in receiving with the receiving lead, who is known as "the grumpy leprechaun." Within six months or so, I should be fully trained and ready to start as a Merchandise Manager, if there's an open position for me. I've heard rumors that the company likes to move people to a different store when they become management, but I don't know how much truth is in that; I just hope they don't move me too far!
In other work-related news, B&N unveiled their new e-reader, the nook, which will go on sale November 30. They look pretty sweet, and I want one! Check it out at nook.com!
School: Very little progress since July. It's putting stress on me, on Mike, on our relationship. . . I'm just so unmotivated. A few weeks of solid work would wrap it up, and I just can't make myself do it. Urgh.
Home: We got a puppy! I think everyone who's still on Xanga has probably seen my Facebook photos, but if not, check 'em out. His name's Desi, and he's a 5 month old border collie mix, probably with some lab or bull terrier in there. He's playful, affectionate, and mostly well-behaved-- a charmer for sure! He takes time, energy, and extra planning, but he rounds out our little family nicely, and we're both quite smitten with him.
As for the relationship between Mike and me, things have been a bit tense lately. Stress over school, work, house projects, etc. just piles up. An example: I've been feeling a bit ill the past couple of days, so I decided to sleep in a little today, since I didn't have to be at work 'til 10:30. Mike got frustrated that I wasn't up, being productive, and called me lazy. Ouch!
Anyway, it was nice to read a few recent entries from people, even if they bore bad news. Keep writing!
 S.
| | |
| Today in class, each student was supposed to give a short presentation on a restoration project. The class consists of two sessions, with a long break in between, so I got my presentation about two-thirds done, then left the rest for the break, banking on other students being ready to present in the morning session. Apparently, every single student in the class had had the same plan-- not one of us was ready to present! Because I seemed the closest to being ready, the professor asked me to go ahead and present anyway. This is the professor who I just asked to write a letter of recommendation for me for a teaching position I really want. Whoops!
Hope everyone had a happy Easter!
S.
| | |
| I loved my friend.
He went away from me.
There's nothing more to say.
The poem ends,
Soft as it began,--
I loved my friend.
Langston Hughes
| | |
| We're mostly settled in now, but the maintenance and repairs are only getting started. The other day, while we were eating dinner, I noticed a water stain on the dining room ceiling that I'd never seen before. I eyeballed the distance from the walls and figured that it must be from the master shower. DOH! We'd just finished putting together the master bedroom, and were thrilled to finally be sleeping in it, only to find we'd have to move out of the master shower, at least temporarily. Luckily, it turned out to only need new silicone seal around the edges, so I spent almost five hours on my hands and knees, scraping out every last bit of the old silicone, cleaning the seams, and putting in new caulk. We've gotta wait 24-48 hours to find out if it worked. Wish us luck!
Over the weekend, we raked most of the front yard, and maybe a quarter of the back yard. We filled ten 30-gallon yard waste bags and one 34-gallon garbage can, and probably put another 300 gallons in a big heap in the wild area between our lot and the next. Imagine if we'd raked the whole yard! Once we buy a lawn mower, though, we won't rake much anymore, just mulch. We just wanted to get the big clumps off the lawn to let it start to grow. There's more clearing to do around the shed, but that'll probably have to wait 'til we buy a wheelbarrow.
This morning, I sorted some laundry on the basement floor, then ran a couple loads. When I went down to move the second load to the dryer, there was water EVERYWHERE, soaking the pile of laundry on the floor. I cleaned up most of it, and turned on a fan to help the rest of it dry. I couldn't figure out where the water had come from, so I put the sopping laundry into the washing machine and started it, then stood and waited. As soon as the washing machine started draining, it appeared someone had turned on a lawn sprinkler in the utility sink! It turned out the screen filter over the drain hose had clogged up with lint, leaving only a few small holes where water could escape. I leaped at it with a rag, covered the spray, and held it down in the sink as the sink filled with cold laundry water. I was soaked, and the fan was blowing right at me. BRR! I didn't realize until after the fact that I could have just turned the machine off, and the spray would have stopped. Whoops!
Now that we're more settled, it's time for a housewarming/ birthday party! Here's the plan:
Sunday, April 5 at 2:00
Celebrating our new house, Mike's birthday (3/19), and my birthday (4/15)
Snacks, pop, etc. will be provided, but BYOB
Bring a ball, kite, frisbee, whatever!
Please, no gifts! (But if you insist, seeds or plants for the yard would be nice) 
Leave a comment or send me a message if you'd like to come!
S.
| | |
| I just looked at the 10-day forecast, and saw that it's supposed to be in the 50s on Friday. I actually welled up a little!
Things are coming along at the house. We finished painting the master bedroom, and pulled up the carpet in there, then pulled up hundreds of tacks, nails, and staples. I cut the carpet into 4'-wide rolls to put at the curb, then swept, vacuumed, and pulled off the trim that had been installed above the carpet, so that we can paint it and reattach it flush with the hardwood floor. I feel like an accomplished homeowner/fix-it gal, wielding my hammer and pry-bar.
Last week, I called "Oh, Culligan man!" and yesterday he came out to set up our water softener and under-sink drinking water filter. Both had clogged filters, and the softener had been completely bypassed, so we had been drinking pretty much straight well water-- yum! Now they each have a new filter, and the softener has 30 pounds of salt, a new piston, and a new lease on life. Eventually we'll get out all the iron that had built up in our toilets... maybe.
We're having a housewarming/ my birthday/ Mike's birthday party on Sunday, April 5. I haven't decided yet what time, but I hope you all can make it. Please, no presents, but BYOB (we'll have pop, juice, etc., though). If you want to come, let me know, and I'll send you the address. See you soon!
S.
| | |
|
