Life will be different from now on

I stayed home this morning....and got caught up on sleep....and Bill went down to Killeen; my purpose in staying home is to get some stuff done around here....and to be here when the movers arrive....the sleeping in was just a bonus!  It could be that needing some sleep was part of the reason for my blahs earlier this week.  With all that is going on economy wise, changes in our lives (mil moving in), super busy plus changes at work, not knowing who to vote for, some stuff going on around here....that doesn't directly effect me, but really has me bothered (I'll explain later)......has really been interfering with restful sleep....I get up 2 or 3 times a night....and I'm always having lots of really weird dreams.  I need to remember to take a tylenol pm early enogh so I won't be groggy the next day....but time always seems to get away from me in the evenings........so anyway....Bill left at 5:30 am....I woke at 6:30...saw that it was still dark....crawled back into bed......and slept like a baby until 8:30.
OK....the thing that is bothering me that doesn't directly effect me...is what is going on with the Dallas ISD....I don't know if that kind of stuff makes national news or not....but about a month ago...they realized they had a 64 million dollar short fall in their budget!!!! After a few weeks of investigation....it was 84 million!!!!  One of the things they blamed it on was last year as a way to fix their low preforming schools, they hired more teachers to decrease class sizes.....so some how 300 more teachers got hired than were budgeted for.....so new teachers get around $43,000 around here (give or take a couple thousand).....and math is not my strong suite but even I know (even with benefits) that does not add up to $84 million....after digging and board meeting out the whazoo......about 1100 people from Dallas ISD are losing their jobs....550 of them teachers.  All because of poor financial management of the administration of that school district....and that is upseting.
And now the economy....never mind how much money Bill has lost from his 401K these past 2 weeks.....I'm sure retiring at 62 (for him) is entirely out of the question now.....when that Bill finally passed...did y'all see all the garbage they stuck in it....stuff for nascar! Stuff for rum (I guess pirates need it?)...research for wool....I can't even remeber all of it because I was so disgusted......I know something had to be done....but really....how stupid does congress think we are?.......no wonder they only have an 18% (even lower than the Prez) approval rating.....which brings me to my next issue of stress....
the election....there are things I really like and really dislike about both canidates......knowing what kind of mess congress is in and that both canidates (and one vp canidate) are senators.......really .....really.....really....concerns me.
And yesterday....I wanted to kill a co-worker....we were in a training for this reading intervention program that 5 of our elementary campuses that needed to bring up their reading scores are trying out this year.....so we are basically learning the tools, reports and how it is suppose to work so we can support the teachers who are actually implementing it....so this flaky person who was sort of dumped on technology (not fired because of connections) and workes with the high schools is in this training.....it has nothing to do with any of the teachers she is suppose to be working with....she sits next to me.....talks the intire time....gets lost in the program at every other click of the mouse....can't even put her email in correctly to register.....and if I heard it once....I heard it 17 times about how she had scarlet fever as a child and it affected her hearing...and therefore her reading.....geez...and everytime I helped her out she says I'm so glad I'm next to you, since you are Special Ed.....finally in the afternoon.....after about 6 hours of her driving me nuts....I said...look Sandy,....I'm just learning this too....I don't know why your screen looks different....I don't know how you got there.....maybe you should just watch and listen to the trainer...since none of your campuses have this anyway.....after a few margaritas...I felt much better.
Anyway....I need to get to work around here......I am going to try to catch up on everyone's blogs.....after I get a few chores done.

Blah

  That's how I'm feeling.....not good....not bad....just blah......nothing complain about ....nothing to brag about......nothing profound....or profane for that matter.

I guess I just want to get Bill's mom up here and get her settled.....and I'm really dreading have to deal with all the stuff.....

Of course it was gossip central around here this morning.....lots of speculation about up coming changes.

What a day!

I was jumping through hoops all day....solved a few problems but uncovered more.  Then we had a staff meeting at the end of the day....We have a part time executive director (ED) of Special Ed....she retired and then came back part time....she is a major micro manager....so that causes a lot of frustration for getting stuff done...when she retired she made 2 of the supervisors director....one for elementary and one for secondary....but they are not allowed to make decisions without going through her....and she is never there....more frustration!  So one of these directors is my boss, I know this was the last year they were going to let the ED be part time and I heard the other director was also retiring at the end of this school year....so I thought my boss would then become the ED.......but she announced today at the end of the meeting that she would be retiring at the end of this semester!!!!!!!  Holy Cow....I'm still in shock, and then as I was driving home I started worrying about my job, I have a very unique position, considered a luxury by most school districts....and it's federally funded....So what if the new powers to be don't value what I do?  Anyway, I'm at peace knowing they will always need teachers and I'm not opposed to going back to the classroom....but still......

OK....and this is the birthday that keeps on going....my assistive tech friends took me to lunch today......Cowboy Chicken....it's rotessiere chicken over wood flames....so I wasn't too bad.
I need to make a few comments before criminal minds starts....I love that show

Turn out the lights; the party is over!

But what a great party it was!  After a fun, fun weekend...yesterday the actual B-day....was super, had a very enjoyable lunch with work friends, then came home to find a carrot cake, roses and beautiful mushy card from Bill; in the mail I had the perfect card from Tiffany and Ray; and on the front porch there were beautiful fall flowers from Blake, Molly and Joey.  Then I had phone calls from Tiffany (DD); Molly (DIL); Blake (DS in Iraq); Ray (SIL) and Jo (MIL)....the only one who did not call was Tori (DSD).....in fact she did not even call her dad on his B-day...no card or anything...so I'm a little put out with her...the only time we hear from her is when she wants something....but that is another whole issue.....(sorry for the little rant...I get random sometimes).  Then I also got tons of emails both at work and home....and comments here...I was really feeling the love

OK....Now I need some off topic advise.....about my little rant above on my step daughter....I can't decide if I should share my feelings with Bill about his daughter.......what do you think?

Now my challenge is to get myself remotivated....I had a carb hangover last night from all my sins....and pretty much feel like a slug right now.....Saturday is the day my MIL moves in.....we will take that 3 hour drive to her place early, early Saturday am....we will be loading stuff in a trailer that the movers will not take; the movers will be there at about 8; once everything is packed, we will come back to DFW...with MIL and her dog...another 3 hours....and then meet the movers here to get everything unpacked and her furniture in place.....so....I went into all that to say....when I try to formulate a battle plan...this move has taken over my brain.  And I will save all the fustration over what she is bringing and what she is giving away....for another time.....I try my best to be patient.....because I know what goes around comes around and someday I may be alone and 80 and moving in with one of my kids.....but Bill has lost it a few times.

So where is that magic pill when you need it

Solution to security code not working

Just put in any random four numbers and it works!!!!!!  I know that is not the solution....but until they fix it....it works!

.......

53 years old

So it just hit me that I'm just 2 years from senior discounts at some places!  EEEK!  It was a great birthday weekend, until the Cowboys lost....what was up with that?  Didn't they know it was my birthday?  It was like they never really got in the game.

After a fun weekend I'm back to the salt mines; Friday while I was at Technology I uncovered a few issues I need to deal with......so that is on my agenda...but at least I'll be looking cute in one of my new outfits.

I made grilled chicken salad ....big uns for dinner and there was plenty left over....so I brought it in for lunch....so I'm back on track for food.....no temptations to worry about....I love carrot cake, but told Bill I really did not want the temptation....let's see if he honors that.

Speaking of food....I saw a thing on the news....that with the enconomy.....more people are eating at home....but buying cheap food...not spending on fresh produce because of the expense......I thought what a sad state of affairs.......and I'm not sure what to think of this bail out......on one hand I know something had to be done......but if it ends up hurting us middle class slugs.....and some CEO gets a 20 million dollar golden parchute for driving a corporation into the ground....I'll be beyond pissed.  I know there is a clause for the golden parachute...but anyone that is in the position now and caused this mess is grandfathered....so that is just words and means absolutely nothing!

I'm not going near a scale

At least for a few days....Last night we ended up at Texas Road House. I guess my choice was OK....10 oz Prime Rib; baked sweet potato no butter and salad....I should have got a smaller piece of meat....but I was craving it...I know that is a high fat cut too.
but to make matters worse this morning I talked Bill into IHOP....I really needed some Swedish pancakes..... I'm regretting that decision now, that's for sure!

I'm half done with my homework...we just had a short paper this week, 1-2 pages.....all that is left is my journal entry....and I'll whip that out before the Cowboy game....speaking of that I got a new Cowboy shirt yesterday, so I'm decked out ready to represent!
Yesterday was a fun day, we did the wine, it will be ready to bottle in about 12-16 weeks....then you can invite friends for a bottling party...we also designed our labels....then to Sam's...for a few necessities, and that is where I scored the new Cowboy top...and I also scored a beautiful fall centerpiece.  Then to bed, bath and beyond.....got my pumpkin spice candle....and a few things for our upstairs bathroom .....then to Chico's...and I ended up with 2 outfits...

Movie Review and plans for today.

I give that movie 3 thumbs up....definately a chick flick, we usually go to the movie studio grill , where you can eat dinner while you watch the movie (and have drinks too!)....so sometime you have to wait until they are ready to seat you....it was funny...all the men that were there...were making comment about being forced to the chick flick.....Tiffany called before the movie started...I told her what movie we were seeing...she said...oh....must be your birthday.  Anyway.....you will probably need kleenex for the end.....but I swear, no one can write a love story better than Nicholas Sparks, and not to be sexist....but that continues to suprise me coming from a man....I think he understands women and their feelings better than most women!

OK....today should be fun....first....need to do a few chores....then a few errands....then Shopping.....whoo hoo....then make our wine....double whoo hoo.....then go out to eat.....while we are in Grapevine...we are going to check if a band is playing at Love and War in Texas.....they don't have the healthiest food around....but live music makes the night special.

Oh...at the movie...I had a chicken salad...of course it was enough to feed 2, and I had a long island ice tea....all the alcohol in that probably helped loosen the tears a bit.

I'll check back in after I get my homework done tomorrow.

My pick for Movie date night

  I told Bill this is the movie I'd like to go see tonight:

Bill: Does anything blow up?

me: No

Bill: are there guns or weapons?

me: No

Bill: Does anyone get killed?

me: No honey, it's a love story about two people who found each other when they were at a bad time....sort of like us....

Bill: OK

I'll let you know how it goes.

Not much to report  on the weight loss front....just watching what I eat....need to get more exercise....but getting the house ready for MIL to move in is eating up spare time.....at least those are active things.

Speaking of MIL, her friend that takes her to the Dr. and shopping...etc....brought her up to see the house.....that was a good thing because she just was not visualizing the space.....so now MIL is more excited and looking forward to the move.....I'm sure we will have some issues......and I may be here venting now and then....but in the long run it will be better for all of us in the long run.......and I feel bad that I'm so overly suspicious of everyone.....but I've heard and read so much that I just can not help it....but yesterday this friend who drove her (this person is in her 40's, can not find a job, and lives with her mother and is the ex-girlfriend of a former neighbor...who was really weird)....I would ask my MIL something and she would look at the friend before she answered....or the friend would answer.....I found that a little controlling.....I voiced that concern to Bill.....and I swear...sometimes he is like a bull in a china shop...so he asks her how much money how much money she gives this friend....OK....lets not be subtle and get feelings hurt.....anyway.....that is another reason to bring her up here....she is such an easy target......freely gives money to anyone who does anything, and easly lets others make her decisions.

Another story about Bill....and not being subtle......I know a shared this story before...but it is a good one....last Easter, I told him I was concerned about his daughter....she had gained so much weight in such a short time....and it had been a while since she showered judging by the BO and greasyness of her hair....and those were red flags for issues.....but we needed to be careful in how we addressed it...as not to cause any hurt....so Mr. bull in the china shop calls her and asks "are you depressed?"  Geez......of course she says no.

Anyway...that's life in my world.

Whoo Hoo!!!!!!

  I weighed myself this morning and the scale read 204......that is my lowest weight since I've joined EP.....4.1 pounds to wonderland......

Ok....now I need a big pep talk with myself not to blow it....Monday is my birthday......so we are planning on celebrating Friday and Saturday.....movie and dinner on Friday....and we are going to make a batch of wine on Saturday....that is what I said I wanted for my B-day http://grapevine.dvinewineusa.com/custom_wines.html      Check it out.

we are also going to get me something at Chico's and checkout a restuarant...I hope at the Gaylord Texsan......so with all of that going on and Bill....encouraging me to eat things I shouldn't.....

I got to go read some blogs and get to work!