Wow, life just continues to stay busy! Derek is feeling the burn of working full time and wishing he didn’t have too! He’s now realizing how much he enjoyed being home with the kids and being available for all of their events. I know the feeling about missing all of the big and little things that go on in their lives. I feel that way all of the time. He’s also finding that he has a LOT of things he has to do on those few days off. He had to get a filling fixed that fell out on the Ohio trip and make appts for other doctors visits.
‘Lex’s dog also did some (more) damage while we were gone, so he’s looking into getting that repaired. Just one more expense. Unfortunately, we can’t, in good conscience get rid of her since she’s not registered or trained and is very destructive. Alexis has to have her with her as long as she’s home so that the dog gets more attention. I am hoping this helps with her destructive tendencies, though I think part of it is that she’s a “working breed” an needs more physical activity. We are an active family but not with the animals so much. As I have said repeatedly, we need to have small dogs. They are easier to manage and require different kinds of attention.
We found out recently that the two older girls will not be able to play softball this summer, which is really unfortunate. I know they both wanted too, though in a way it’s good. Less pressure on Derek and I. However, we are going to put Alexis into martial arts again, and Mercedes will probably start dance or gymnastics soon, though it may end up being martial arts too. BD is already starting basketball practices for next year, so she’s got a lot on her plate along with two on-line classes for High School.
I slacked off last week and I can really tell this week. I had to run on Tuesday and I thought I was going to fall over. This morning’s exercise was not much better. I have also plateaued as far as weight goes, though that’s not a big deal, overall. I would like to lose another 5-7 pounds, but the important thing to me is to get back into shape. Of course, that’s easier said than done! I’m going to keep working at it though and see what I can achieve.
I am about halfway through this first teaching gig and I think I have decided that I should only teach 1 class at a time. Grading 35+ assignments, twice a week takes up a LOT of my time. I am also trying to spend more time with the kids because the first few weeks really took a toll. I feel bad that I am pushing a lot of my responsibilities off on the older girls and not spending the time I need to with the little ones. I know they are feeling it too. I have about 4 more weeks before this first set of classes are over, so I expect I will know whether I am allowed to continue teaching in another two weeks or so.
It is looking pretty sure now that I will pin-on Major in August. I am guessing the promotion ceremony will be July 31, but I don’t know who will be able to make it, if anyone. Shell thinks she will be here, but there’s no telling. Things are tight, both in time and money for everyone these days. I am pretty excited though, that I am on course to actually get promoted. I am always scared that I will screw up and lose it. Yep, I have some kind of anxiety disorder, that’s the only answer.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Busy Time
I am getting things ready to leave tonight. I am also going to take a nap after lunch so that I am ready to go. I know that I will wear out, but I need to drive as far as I can before I ask Derek to drive. He's got to work tonight and won't be home until after 8. I hope we can make decent time getting there. I am not looking forward to the long trip, but I expect the kids to sleep most of the way, so that will be nice. My biggest concern is the cost of everything. Seems like gas keeps going up by leaps and bounds too so that DOES not help!
I am in the groove now with the teaching thing, I think. I am meeting all of my deadlines for right now. I have had several students drop, which I think is because they can't keep up with the number of assignments throughout the week. The work is not hard but it's steady and you have to keep up with it.
I am doing fine at work. My boss seems to be happy with me right now, though that could change. I am also looking at a deployment at some point in the next year, or so it seems. I kind of knew that was coming, though it's not something I am looking forward too. It's what I agreed to when I signed on though, so I will do my part and do the best I can.
Derek is also doing fine at his job. He got a nice note saying he had done a good job. He needs those things, I think, though he says they aren't improtant. I think he underestimates his value, but he says the same of me, so there is no telling him otherwise : )
We are heading to Ohio for Melanies graduation this weekend. We are all looking forward to it, though it's a long drive and with gas prices, very expensive. I know a lot of people are cutting back on travel because gas costs so much. You would think it would not be so hard to find another form of fuel, or is it that we aren't really looking becuase we are content with life as we know it? I wonder.
We went to see Iron Man a few weeks ago. I hope I didn't mention this already, but we liked it. It had a lot of action, though there were one or two parts we could have done without. Overall though, it was entertaining. Derek and I are going to go see the enw Indiana Jones movie this weekend while we are in Ohio. It will be cutting our time a little close since we are going after graduation, however, we think we can do it.
I've lost about 7-8 lbs now and am just about at my pre-pregnancy weight. I am pretty happy about that though I am not so happy about my stomach not flattening back out, which is what I really want. I don't mind the pounds as long as my body looks like what I want it too : ) I am going to try to take my PT test next week also. If I can pass them I am good for the next year. If I don't pass I can take it in June with no penalty. It works for me. I think I can do it, but I like having the buffer. I know it will be a "passing" score versus a "great" score, but I cna live with that. I mean, I am going to be 35, I think I am in pretty good shape, considering.
I am in the groove now with the teaching thing, I think. I am meeting all of my deadlines for right now. I have had several students drop, which I think is because they can't keep up with the number of assignments throughout the week. The work is not hard but it's steady and you have to keep up with it.
I am doing fine at work. My boss seems to be happy with me right now, though that could change. I am also looking at a deployment at some point in the next year, or so it seems. I kind of knew that was coming, though it's not something I am looking forward too. It's what I agreed to when I signed on though, so I will do my part and do the best I can.
Derek is also doing fine at his job. He got a nice note saying he had done a good job. He needs those things, I think, though he says they aren't improtant. I think he underestimates his value, but he says the same of me, so there is no telling him otherwise : )
We are heading to Ohio for Melanies graduation this weekend. We are all looking forward to it, though it's a long drive and with gas prices, very expensive. I know a lot of people are cutting back on travel because gas costs so much. You would think it would not be so hard to find another form of fuel, or is it that we aren't really looking becuase we are content with life as we know it? I wonder.
We went to see Iron Man a few weeks ago. I hope I didn't mention this already, but we liked it. It had a lot of action, though there were one or two parts we could have done without. Overall though, it was entertaining. Derek and I are going to go see the enw Indiana Jones movie this weekend while we are in Ohio. It will be cutting our time a little close since we are going after graduation, however, we think we can do it.
I've lost about 7-8 lbs now and am just about at my pre-pregnancy weight. I am pretty happy about that though I am not so happy about my stomach not flattening back out, which is what I really want. I don't mind the pounds as long as my body looks like what I want it too : ) I am going to try to take my PT test next week also. If I can pass them I am good for the next year. If I don't pass I can take it in June with no penalty. It works for me. I think I can do it, but I like having the buffer. I know it will be a "passing" score versus a "great" score, but I cna live with that. I mean, I am going to be 35, I think I am in pretty good shape, considering.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Observations
A few things I have going through my mind. To start with, I have begun teaching - officially. This is what I want to do with my life (I think) when I grow up (get out of the military). After one week, I am not completely fed up with it, though last week was a little more painful than I was ready for. The amount of assignments and number of students was a bit overwhelming for me, but I think I am getting into the groove, though I think the family suffered a bit last week.
It is interesting to be on this side of the desk (so to speak). The students are all in the equiv of their second year of college and are all ages and backgrounds. Many of them come to the class with deeply ingrained thoughts and ideas, while others are more open to different things. It is an interesting mix to say the least. I think that I have a certain amoutn of knwoledge, insight, and experience to offer them. I am trying not to let my military training come out too much. I know the military management training is based on industry standards, but I think a lot of people have the misperception that military trainers are more harsh, disciplined, har-a$$, etc. That really isn't the case. What we do have (and this is soemthing I appreciate) is codified rules of conduct which we can enforce upon our people. We are taught that you need to know what is going on with your people so you can manage them better. No, I don't need to knwo that Sally Jo likes to have sex with dogs, but I do need to know if she's contracted an illness that could affect her work performance. But, back to the subject at hand, I think I will get a lot out of this class. It is interesting to see the divergent thinking of the students and hear their thoughts and opinions.
One of the other thoughts that is rattling around in my noggin is about Derek. Now that he's officially working, he's not happy, though he is. No, I am not deliberately being obtuse! On one hand, he's more confident and happy with himself because he now how a job and is earning his own money. He's not JUST a house husband! I guess it never seemed like a big deal to me that he wasn't working, but I am coming to find out that it REALLY bothered him. The down side for him is that he is missing out on things that the kids are involved in and that REALLY bothers him. He LOVES being an involved Dad. He wants to go to every single practice and game and he wants to be there on the bench next to the kids. It's breaking his heart that he can't be there for Cedes games. Unfortunately, I have been through a lot of this and came to terms with it years ago. I do everything I can to be involved but I cna't always due to work and I accept that.
Some good news is that it looks like I will be a Major in July. I am going to ask the family to try to come and if I can, I will buy Dad a ticket, though I don't know that he will use it. I have been asking everyone I know, but the economy is killing the travel chances for most people. I expect this will be my last promotion so I guess I am just being a Diva. I know it's hard on everyone, because it's har don us. Sigh!
The crazy cat that had kittens in my Jeep moved back in with ALL five of them. They have their eyes open now and are cute as can be. Since I am driving the Jepp and the people who SHOULD have been responsible for them won't do their job, we moved them to the garage with the thought that we will find them all homes when they are old enough. No, we are not going to keep any. I know the kdis would love too, but we have enough craziness in our lives. Plus we are going to add in martial arts for Alexis and dance for Mercedes, while BD starts basketball (again). Mason is also getting to the age where we need to find something for him so I will start looking into that.
It is interesting to be on this side of the desk (so to speak). The students are all in the equiv of their second year of college and are all ages and backgrounds. Many of them come to the class with deeply ingrained thoughts and ideas, while others are more open to different things. It is an interesting mix to say the least. I think that I have a certain amoutn of knwoledge, insight, and experience to offer them. I am trying not to let my military training come out too much. I know the military management training is based on industry standards, but I think a lot of people have the misperception that military trainers are more harsh, disciplined, har-a$$, etc. That really isn't the case. What we do have (and this is soemthing I appreciate) is codified rules of conduct which we can enforce upon our people. We are taught that you need to know what is going on with your people so you can manage them better. No, I don't need to knwo that Sally Jo likes to have sex with dogs, but I do need to know if she's contracted an illness that could affect her work performance. But, back to the subject at hand, I think I will get a lot out of this class. It is interesting to see the divergent thinking of the students and hear their thoughts and opinions.
One of the other thoughts that is rattling around in my noggin is about Derek. Now that he's officially working, he's not happy, though he is. No, I am not deliberately being obtuse! On one hand, he's more confident and happy with himself because he now how a job and is earning his own money. He's not JUST a house husband! I guess it never seemed like a big deal to me that he wasn't working, but I am coming to find out that it REALLY bothered him. The down side for him is that he is missing out on things that the kids are involved in and that REALLY bothers him. He LOVES being an involved Dad. He wants to go to every single practice and game and he wants to be there on the bench next to the kids. It's breaking his heart that he can't be there for Cedes games. Unfortunately, I have been through a lot of this and came to terms with it years ago. I do everything I can to be involved but I cna't always due to work and I accept that.
Some good news is that it looks like I will be a Major in July. I am going to ask the family to try to come and if I can, I will buy Dad a ticket, though I don't know that he will use it. I have been asking everyone I know, but the economy is killing the travel chances for most people. I expect this will be my last promotion so I guess I am just being a Diva. I know it's hard on everyone, because it's har don us. Sigh!
The crazy cat that had kittens in my Jeep moved back in with ALL five of them. They have their eyes open now and are cute as can be. Since I am driving the Jepp and the people who SHOULD have been responsible for them won't do their job, we moved them to the garage with the thought that we will find them all homes when they are old enough. No, we are not going to keep any. I know the kdis would love too, but we have enough craziness in our lives. Plus we are going to add in martial arts for Alexis and dance for Mercedes, while BD starts basketball (again). Mason is also getting to the age where we need to find something for him so I will start looking into that.
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