Today's Thought

This afternoon I watched as 20 minutes of my life vanished while I was on the phone trying to straighten out a problem with my order from Dell. The first phone call ended with the lady telling me that she'd need to hang up and call me right back. I bet you can guess how that turned out.

The second phone call had me transferred to 4 (YES, FOUR) different departments. I'm pretty sure it was an international call as well. (I will not even go into details on this.) It occurred to me, while I was on hold for all of the transfers, that if the people putting you on hold had to listen to the lovely music, they'd probably get to your call more quickly.

Why We Do What We Do

Today, a friend and I were working on a task that wasn't necessarily fun. He made the comment, "I'm still wondering why we do this." Me, too. Have you ever stopped to think about why we do what we do?

Why do teachers keep trudging onward amidst mad parents, troubled children and standardized tests? Why do people spend their Sunday evenings cleaning up a community center instead of enjoying a restful day? Why do farmers toil long hours with the hope (not guarantee) of making a crop?

The only thing I can come up with is it's how people are raised (sorry, Mrs. Smith--I know it is reared, but it sounds so funny**). It must be ingrained in us or genetic. Something continues to push people to go the extra mile, to do what is difficult rather than easy, to believe in the impossible.

And, I am thankful for that something.


**Mrs. Smith was my high school English, reading and Spanish teacher. She always said, "You raise corn and rear children." I am grateful to her for teaching me many things.

Working Mom

I've been a working mom for three days now. So far, it is pretty good. It's hard to say how things are going for sure since this has not been a normal week. Our church had a revival that started Sunday and ended this evening. It was a wonderful time of learning and fellowship. I will say it was hard finishing up school, rushing home and then rushing back to church. I'm looking forward to next week so our routine can officially begin (HA).

I've enjoyed my job so far. I'm an aide for the fourth grade (Poor Sadie is stuck with me all day--this could get interesting before the year is over). I have the opportunity to learn new things every day and watch amazing teachers work their magic (literally). I am so thankful my kids have the opportunity to go to school here. We truly have a great school filled with outstanding teachers who care deeply for every student.

On another note--T.S. started Kindergarten and LOVES its (so far). I was so proud of him the first day. He has continued to be excited all week about going to school.

Hopefully I will do a better job of posting as things settle down and we figure out how it is all going to work. The plan is to find the garden tomorrow and salvage what might be left. I'm hopeful the pumpkins are still alive...

New Things

So, you may have noticed that my header is a little different. As of Tuesday, I will no longer be a stay-at-home mom. I have a new job. I'll be an aide in the elementary school (for my daughter's class to be exact).

Was I not content to be a stay-at-home mom? No, I was content to stay home, watch kids, eat bon bons and watch TV. It was fun and easy being home and not working. (Hope you are reading the sarcasm.) Actually, I was very content taking care of the house, our kids, other people's kids, and having flexibility to fit things into my schedule. Unfortunately, Sadie will need braces soon, the cost of living has risen considerably at our house and staying home just isn't an option any more. T.S. starts Kindergarten this year and I was fortunate enough that a postition came open at school. (That doesn't happen very often.) I am blessed to be working with some of my really good friends.

I am excited about this new venture. It'll be fun for me to be back among adults. (Hopefully I can hold up my end of the conversation.) I will miss the kids I keep and eating bon bons--it really was a plush life...

Anyway, we're off on a new adventure and it should be very fun.

Bulletin Board

I finally finished one of Sadie's bulletin boards.

We took an acoustic ceiling tile (about $2 at Home Depot), painted it the same color brown as the shelves in her room, added some pink beaded fringe and pink ribbon to hang it, and...

Voila! Instant bulletin board.

Now if I can just get the other one started, hang the frames, find some curtain tie-backs, paint some flower pegs, build a window seat...Sadie's room will be finished.

(Please note: I am HORRIBLE at taking pictures of my projects--I am sure a new camera would fix this. If you'd like to contribute to the "buy Laura a new camera so we don't have to look at horrible pictures fund" please let me know.)

August???

Are you like me?
Are you wondering where the summer went? How it went by so quickly?
Did you start the summer with a long to-do list only to see very few items checked off?

Are you like me? Are the few projects you did start about 3/4 finished?
Yesterday I was contemplating the "loss of summer." I realized that even though it didn't seem like we'd had much summer, we sure have fit a lot of activities in. The kids have had fun, I've had fun, I think Robby has had fun (although several more rounds of golf would have made it more fun.)

So, what is the point of summer? Is it to cram as many activities and projects in or is it to rest and relax and enjoy? I think our summer has been a fairly good combination of both. Maybe we can fit a little bit more of the rest and relaxation part in next year.

And, hey, I still have one week before I start my new (gasp) job, so maybe I can at least finish the one project I started...in between all of the Happy Days Celebration activities, buying shoes for the kids, shopping for school supplies.....

Oh well, there's always next year.