Been a LOOONG time

I have not written in quite a while and i feel guilty and overwhelmed by all that has happened in the past few months.
My lap top died-then i killed another lap top then don's lap top had issues. I finally am able to use a lap top without feeling guilty or the fear or it no longer working. My lap top had a warranty still in effect so I did the right thing and sent it back to the manufacturer.
Now i have been selling some things on eBay. So far I have made almost $700 from selling a few things on the Internet. I hope to make more money by selling a few other things. Don and I are talking about starting an Internet store through eBay.
The latest news:
I had an interview last week. It may take almost a month to know if I have the job or not. The interview was with Franklin County for a position to teach reading with "delinquents" the at risk population. A this time, I would be happy to have any type of job that brings a pay check
I had a colonoscopy today. There were polyps to be removed-benign! yeah But I have to go back for another one in 5 years. Don does not have to have one for 10 years.
Bandit has a yeast infection on his paws-it took moving to AL to find this out considering the VA vet told me that the redness and chewing was due to nerves...
Found a great pet sitter. No one will ever replace Bobbi, but Sue like the dogs and of course they like her. The test will be while we are away for Turkey day. Of course I am leaving a more detailed take of their day than necessary-but the more info the better she will be with the animals and the better I will feel leaving her with them.
I have begun to remove wallpaper from almost every wall int he house where there is wall paper. I have some pictures to post because the wall paper is laughable... it is really bad. There are 2-3 layers in some places. In order to paint, I need to take as much down as possible, then prime the walls and THEN paint. I need to do the trim prior to painting the walls. I think in the hall I would like to do a strip above the chair rail and solid below using the alternate color in the decorative squares. The top strips would be the same color-but one would be matte and the other would be glossy. So the bottom would have the matte on the wall and the glossy in the square...I may change the bottom idea to using a totally different color-i have given it thought but I am still not sure.
I have con't to go to gym and workout-but I am becoming a bit depressed about not going to work instead.
Dad fell into the grandfather clock. He nearly cut his jugular when he fell- but instead cut his head and arm. THe clock needs new glass and some work on the wood. They are done with the clock at their house and having us take it with us when we come for turkey. Mom also has a box (I think it must be a room by now) of things for us to take with us.
So much more has happened in the past few months-but there is no way to put it all on paper (computer).

Home Time

Today began as any other Sunday. Coffee! Of course neither of us began doing much of anything until after 10:00, unlike yesterday where we were outside working on the yard before 8:00. Don began with taking the chain link fence down at the tennis court. That was a lot of work for anyone. He only took down 3 sections due to the immense work that is needed. I began the final stages of the pond.
The sand is down, the gravel/rocks are down, the "defining" rocks between the rocks and sand are down. They still need to be pushed around and moved to better spots. I also have to put more rocks in the back areas. First I have to take the pump out and then put a new pump in and a water feature. we want the water feature to recycle the water. We also need to put in a better or new filter. I am thinking it will have to be new. tomorrow I am heading out to find a new filter and pump. I am also going to ask about water features.
We had to fight to open windows. Literally push and bang and hammer and use all types of things to deface the paint. It is cooler outside then inside and we need to open some windows. We can open some windows now a bit easier. We decided that replacement windows need to happen first then we can worry about gutters and the otter things we needs for the outside of the house. Windows would help with electric bills and opening and closing windows. It would be nice to open and close when the weather is cooler.
I need to remember to take pictures of the work we have accomplished today. I want to make sure to add them to the blog and put them into the house before and after photo album.
Tomorrow is now the day to get a job! I have to drive out to the schools I applied to recently and find what my status is. Doing this is a real pain in the butt.

Friday already

hard to believe it is again Friday. Where has the week gone? I uploaded things on to half.com yesterday. I am going to put more books there and put some things on the ebay site. I also have things to put onto Craigs list to sell. It is just time consuming.
i of course still do not have a "real" job. I sent out my volunteer applications yesterday. I hope there is a paying position! I am still checking and applying on the alabama job site. I applied for a few more positions on the site yesterday morning. I am going to do my follow up call/visit next week. Monday will be the drive around time....
While I am driving around the florence area, I figure I will also go and find the shull in florence. I feel the need to find it before the holidays. I am feeling more spiritual and want to reconnect. I may also make some more connections for possible paying jobs. Sometimes reconnecting helps to bring focus to life.
Don and I have been talking about what may happen with his job-he may lose it because the colbert plant is rumoring shutting down. when? why? he won't know any answers until the beg. of next year and here it is only august. we need to really sell the house in VA. Right now that is holding us to a second mortgage.
i spoke with the broker and she was looking into how often the house was looked at (inside) and how many hits it had on the Internet. I also spoke with faith who is back on the listing as the realtor. We are going to give cent.21 about 2-4 weeks to get an offer on the house. then we are going to have to either find a new agent. If the house is not sold by October we will need to rent the house to cover the mortgage. I hope the house sells before and we will not have to rent.
the house mortgages, outstanding bills, loans etc are causing don to be a bit depressed. i am there with him. if his job is gone-we are going to have to declare bankruptcy. That is scarey to just think about it.

phone calls ugh

Today was/is the day of phone calls. Call the real estate agents. Call HR @ NNPS about my retirement fund. Call Cheri at Cartus. Fax the claim forms (yet another way to use the phone) I am holding off calling Joy at Lincoln Retirement Services. Don't want to touch my money just yet...
I did finish the kneeling bench AND completed one valance. Now it is time to fax and continue with the valances. I do feel good about these things.
Don threw at me this morning talk of closing this plant down. Here we go with me being an anxiety mess. I have to sell things to pay off my bills. I can't purchase anything until we know where we stand with this and the other house. AND if he OR I have a real job. he thinks nothing of it-"I can go back to truck driving" Yeah-that was years ago. Now we have two houses and need to sell one! I really need to focus on getting things on eBay this week.

Koi Pond

Don has filled the pond with water. We need to get a pump and get that pond cleaned out. It would be nice to see the fish that swim and live in the pond. I hope to get to the pond this week and fix the outer stones. In fact I hope to be able to fix all the stone work in the entire yard. That is the edging-the stones that are used as edging.
I will need to trim/mow the grass that has grown up around the areas that need to be fixed. I am so glad that the pond is filled. I will need to feed the fish tomorrow in the morning.

watermelon fesitval

Well we went to our local festival...the watermelon festival. I have never seen a better car show ever! OMG! The antiques were amazing! There were streets and streets of them-on either side and down the middle! Simply amazing. That was the big draw for Don. He even said it was the best car show he has been to in a long time-that even includes the auto show for new cars. We took pictures of lots of different cars and motorcycles and of course the tractors. Antique tractors! who'd have thought. there were many-even took a picture of don with a tractor from 1951, his year. Next year we want to enter his truck into the antique show.

Following are some of the sights. Cars and bikes. I did not put any tractors on this blog. That is going to need one of its own postings.

We saw this purple trike and thought it would be perfect for us or my om. That is if it came with grape ape on the back!

I love the cat eyes of the tail lights. Don has been schooling me in cars. the following year the tail lights became 3 circles in a line. I can't remember what year this is. i think it's a 53?

I absolutely love the color of this car! I also love the continental in the back (the tire holder). It was in awesome condition.


This was being pulled by a 3-wheeler painted in the same colors and design. It was just tooo cute! if you are going to go for the gold and spend the money then go and do it right!

This either volvo or jeep reminded me of a pt cruiser convertible. It was an wonder to look and at. It also makes me wonder why they don't go back to building cars like the ones from the 40's-60's again. and when they do-use the modern technology that is available.

I will say that living in the south can be a scary thing. We saw some rather interesting people while at the festival. There were of course the bikers, they were the ones in the jeans, do rags and odd shirts. There were some people who of course need to look in a mirror before they leave their house. How can anyone walk out their home in clothes that are way to small!

We did walk the entire festival. The locals are such locals! I really can't explain it further. We did not go to the boat show-but wandered around the tractors, antique cars and checked out the bikes. We also walked through all of the booths to see what is selling. Some really great things that are not of great quality. Don figures he can make better. I have to agree.

Next year we hope to put his truck in the antique show. That would be fun. The only draw is that we would have to remain in the area for most (if not all) of the day. I will find out information about entering when it gets closer to next years festival.

I did have an idea for a ball cap---use the festival's theme that is going on the shirt and embroider it onto a ball cap or even use a stylized watermelon and vine and have it go around the hat with the words watermelon festival and year on the back. they would only need a few basic colors or if a deal was struck-use the same colors as the shirts.

Everyone received the packages I sent out last week. Mom and Dad have to decide who is wearing their shirt of which day and Emily told me her's was too big. I told her that way she can wear it for a little while.

I made the best beef burritos last week. I even had enough left over to freeze 2 of them. I used left over pot roast which was not the best, and simmered it with beef broth, fajita seasonings and a combination of marinades i found in a cook book.

I am beginning to get things ready to post on craig's list (clothing) half.com (teacher books) and eBay everything else!

school hath begun

Yup school is in full swing here. They do start in the middle of august..i am just so used to the day after labor day. Oh well. Kim goes back to her teaching job on Friday. I am now officially unemployed in my field. An unemployed teacher sounds like an oxymoron. I have begun to think about relocating my 401k that is doing absolutely nothing for me.n By relocating it-i am thinking of my personal checking account. It may become a must do especially since I am not even bringing in a dollar in wages. This is really crappy. I know we have a joint account with over 5,000...but that is not money to waste. We need to have dual income especially so I can pay off some of the outstanding bills I have. I am also not shopping or buying ANYTHING.
EBay is beginning to sound better I am getting ready to set up my pay pal account with them so I can sell items on eBay. I know if I put my mind to this it will be worthwhile. It is just getting the motivation to start! GRRR! I know when i start I will have no problem continuing. With me it is the procrastination to start something new.
I did go into "town" and register my car. $168 later. It is registered and legal and all that. I also bought T-shirts for the watermelon festival occurring this weekend. Mom and Dad wanted shirts so i bought them shirts as well. I even bought Emily one.
Time to move the boxes that I brought in from the garage. I am going to put all the books etc away then take the boxes apart. I do need to call to have the "trash" from the move picked up. The movers will come and remove the boxes. That is a good thing. There are sooo many and they take up so much space in the front hall.

another saturday afternoon....

Here it is another weekend at our home. We of course like many, have a list of things to do. We first went to Lowe's to get the necessary tools-faucet for tub and spigot to replace the one there. That way we can have FULL water pressure during a shower.
This is what Don did prior to fixing the tub....of course it meant driving to the local "fix-it" place for plaster and a "nipple" to extent the piping. Now we need to get 6 new tiles to cover the paster.

This is what I call Beeeeutiful wall paper. This is what is below the wall paper in the office. This crap is so hard to get off the walls. It is like it was painted on the wall. I do figure that it has been on the wall for over 30 years and a strong glue was used. Then they put the new wallpaper over it. Of course not taking the old off the wall.

This little green guy was trying to hide in the elephant leaf. Duh-the leaf is red and he is green hence the picture.

After the lowe's experience it was off to wal-mart. I only had to pick up a few things. I am so amazed that you cannot find FRESH fish here. I had to purchase frozen flounder fillets. I am already missing my fresh seafood. The one type you can find here by the bussells is cat fish. I am not a cat fish person. I don't really care for it at all.

We are heading to the drive in tonight. Going to see G-Force and the new GI Joe movie. It has been so long since I have been to the drive in! WOW!

Work out or not to workout

I had to begin with a few pictures of the house as it looks. I am seeing all kinds of different places that need some work done.

This is the new dining room table. Don't you love the boxes all over the place?

The current look of the office. I even began to take some wallpaper down...what a mess. It is layered on top of more wallpaper!

this is the koi pond before we moved in-the garden is a bit off now because the sewage co. had to remove some of the rock wall to dig and did not put it back. Now we have HUGE holes to fill. I figured posting this picture would help me remember what it looked like prior and how the wall goes around the garden.

Now for the deal of the day..

Do I go to the gym and work out with a great sweat or do I work up a great sweat here at home unpakcing and organizing the rest of the boxes? it is a tough call. Don wants the house to be organized but he thinks/feels it is my job. i think this is because i am home not working and he is at work all day. He must be thinking what does she do all day? Well i do laundry, I dust, I vacuum. I let the dogs out, in, out, in, out and so on. I also weed the gardens, plant flowers and shop for the food. I also have to make sure there are no cobwebs/bugs in the cabinets. OK so i may not be at work like him.

I thinking at the moment that I need to focus on the extra bedroom. The one with the furniture in it. As you can see in the picture-not only furniture but everything else. That is where I need to begin then i can use the closet for clothes and storage. I love the selves in the closets! They are not only built it BUT are deep and there are 2 at the top and some of the closets have extra shelving on the side to say 'sorry for not having a squared closet"

I guess it is closet time....

TIME TO FREAK~~

Here it is school begins here in a matter of days. I still do not have a job. In fact I have not heard from any of the schools/positions that I applied to in the past 4 months. This is frustrated and depressing. I am beginning to feel that I am not worthy of teaching here. I know I am a good competent teacher! I also know that this area is highly political. I thought Providence was political. At least I was able to get a job in RI. I haven't heard from any of the alternative schools I applied to (day care, religious...) This really is hard to handle. I am getting to be depressed and not wanting to do anything. I know there are things that I have to do-get up, take care of pets, get dressed....I also figure making don dinner, lunch and the house hold in one piece. I am worth more than just taking care of a house. I want to teach and really am upset that I have been looking for so long and not one principal has even sent a letter with some b.s. on it.
today i had to find a wachovia for the mortgage payment. that was an interesting drive around town, OK it was out of town but I found one! it was on Avalon in muscle shoals. I also had to go to the co-op for ant killer. that was easy to find. the smell was like going back to Crawford garden supplies. It was like a home coming and I was a kid again going to visit my grandfather at work...i have not smelled that smell in a long time. I could have stayed there for hours. i did not realize how much i missed going to the business.
Tomorrow is the day that i have to hit up all the boards of education-esp if they had a possible position open on line. This Internet job search crap stinks!
I am going to set up my eBay account for selling items. I am also going to try it on Craig's list and eBay's other site. I can't remember the name but i wrote it down and it is in the magazine i was reading. They sell things for a set price and tell you when they have sold. Craig's list is only local and being out in the mist of nowhere-i don't for see selling a lot of what i want to sell for any amount of money.
Over the weekend we went on the search for porch furniture. We had the bill of sale ready and the debit card from CB&S was declined! That was a pisser! We figured we were not to purchase the furniture and to wait for next season (spring/summer). No place we went had really anything left. Oh well. better luck next time.

Weeds Weeds and more weeds

today was one of those days where you wonder where did the time go? All of a sudden it was 4:30 in the afternoon and I had only just begun to weed the garden around the tree in the front of the house. This is a raised bed that rings the tree. It was so over ridden with weeds and various other things trying to grow that I took as much out as possible. I left the ornamental grass at the moment. It may come out sooner or later. there are still weeds but I can take those out tomorrow or friday. i also weeded a small circular area on the walkway path to the front door. There is nothing there now and I think I am going to plant some interesting flowers there. I do not know yet-i think something with color that is low growing because it is infront of the holly bushes and it seems to be in the middle of no where. Don came home and mowed the weeds in one of the areas in the front.

I have been filling out applications on line. These applications are time consuming! Not only do you have to answer a million questions-but download and attach a variety of forms and letters. That is the time consuming part. It takes so long to put all this information together.

i am waiting for a reply from first investors. i figure if i do not get an email tomorrow-i will call and ask about with drawing and penalties. it frustrates me when you are waiting for answers and do not recieve them in a timely manner. especially when someone expects that of you.

dinner was yummy today. used keilbasa and frozen vegetables. in covered skillet and cooked trhough to heat. last night was just as easy-garlic lemon shrimp with pasta.
it was so easy and i used all types of fresh ingredients from the lemon to the garlic. I am trying to use new recipes and fresh ingredients. that is a way to help save money and help wiht what we want to grown our garden next season. So far brocolli, herbs, corn, peas, beans, radishes and carrots. Of course we are going to come up with a definite list for the garden.

I can't believe that July is almost over! I am going to have the house in a better order before the end of the week. We go shopping for porch furniture on saturday at Ingrams in florence. the porch is ready for furniture! now to get the rest of the house ready especially if anyone comes to see it.

We are putting in an application for foster/adoption children. We need to take first aid and cpr and have a few home visits prior to any children coming to us. We both feel that keeping siblings together is necessary. now for the next step-house organization!

Paying all bills

Today was the day to pay bills, oh what fun it is to write checks and put stamps on envelopes. I had to go to the bank to get a certified check. I wanted to make sure that Bank of America could not deny my car's final payment. It felt good to put that in the mail. I have paid it off 11 months early. WHOO HOO! Thank heavens for parents who think that a great house warming gift can help pay off a car, we are going to get a porch furniture set with the money. That is what the check they sent was for and that is what we will use it for.
I found a simple set at Wal Mart yesterday after we came home from Sam's. wanted to pick up the few things that we still needed that Sam's did not have or were to expensive. I did pick up the majority of our staples (pasta/rice) while at Sam's. It is hard to believe that the few things we did purchase added up to over $200. Where does the money go?
i am focused on organizing the house and putting furniture in different rooms. i am still not sure where i am putting all the furniture. i know we need a book case in the living room. i moved grandma's desk into the family room. i don't know if it will stay there though. i do have all the furniture in the living room except for the book case. i want to move some furniture around in the bedroom and finish putting things aways in there.
I talked to Kathy yesterday and she sounded very happy. that is about her job but she and rob are not doing well they are going to officially separate in the next few weeks. I did recieve a letter real snail mail! from Arlene. It was wonderful to hear from her. The oldest boys were with their grandparents in AZ and the youngest was going to be with his father for a week. I can't believe we have been out of college for so long. I am amazed that we have known each other for so long.
I have also been checking Debbe's blog on caring bridge. Hannah has been discharged from Children's and they are now at Ronald McDonald house boston near the hospital. I know Debbe is being strong for her daughter and doing what is needed to make her healthy. I would never wish this on anyone! I know deep inside of myself that I want Hannah to be 100% better especially now that the bone marrow transplate has taken. I do wonder how Debbe would handle if Hannah relapsed or passed away. I know it is hard to deal with but I also know Debbe well enough to say she may even go opposite and shut herself down.
Don mowed the lawn yesterday. It usually is not very eventful. But there is always a first time. He tried to mow one of the hills and got the ride on mower stuck. Then to get it out he ended up getting the big truck stuck-"I wanted to take the hill out" He needed help to get the truck out and then bring the van to the driveway again. I wish I had taken pictures of the disaster. But we have dirt to fill the holes we have in the yard.
there are so many things i want to take picutres of: the frogs in the pond, the way Don's tree is growing (survived being mowed by Ron and being dug up and replanted), the silly things that davidson has begun to do, the beauty in our yard, the architecture in the town. I read a great idea in a magazine. A person did a blog through pictures. She took a picture everyday when she woke up. I like the idea of taking a picture everyday. I think I will begin to do that, now where did i put the batteries for the digital camera?

teachers and tests

Saturday morning brought the Praxis II test. teachers and taking tests-can you think of a more stress related or anxiety ridden activity? i had taking any type of test especially one that wants to test knowledge from over 20 years ago!totally not OK in my book especially when i am not even going to teach any of this information on the damnable thing. there were many of us who felt this way plus the cost (over 100.00 per test) Athens University is in a nice area-historic buildings and a gorgeous neighborhood. I wish I was more open to different parts of the country when i was in high school and looking for universities to go to for a college education. this area would have been a good choice and so would have Virginia Tech. I know it is too late to make a change now-but it is good to always have options.

i have put my brain and anxiety about teaching on hold. i am being realistic and looking into selling on eBay. i make even take a look at Eric's listings and see how to sell there as well. with a hold actually freeze on teachers in the state and no other real teaching/education options-i am trying to come up with ways to make money. especially since i have such big credit card debt. i vow to pay off the cards and not use them again unless it is major (dcar repair/house repair) i don't like the idea of having this over my head. i also have to pay the government and the medical bills from my shoulder surgery. this really rots.

ebay and i have hadsome time togerhte in the past and now i figure i can try the selling aspect. i have some figurines, books, clothes and teacher materials i can sell. i am curious to see how much they would sell for. prior to selling i will do more research.

today is a beautiful day! We are going to head into Florence and take care of the monthly sam's shopping for htose wonderful bulk items. i have begun to jmake a week long menu of dinners. Let's seehow that goes this week. I want to try new things and this is a great way to begin. I made the shopping list from the menu and figured in some lunch items for don.

time to get going. a shorter post later in the day will follow up what has gone on today.

Official Start

well i have given some thought to my blogging while ironing today... I am known for haivng aimless thoughts and sometimes making no sense at all. I am trying to remain on task when i think and put ideas together.

in the south i have found people are more friendly than in the north. i went and had the car oil changed. part of the oil change included (free) 25 point inspection...would i get that at previous place? only part of what was inspected. found i need new brakes. oh yeah 390-- yeah like i have that in my back pocket without an income. put off the brakes and came home. the nice part is had a phone call from the manager at the car dealer...noticed you need major work to your car. it concerns me when clients need this amount of work and do not have it done. did you recieve a quote today on the cost of brakes? (yes) i can make a deal with you to lower the price. -he called back with a lower quote and Don told me that paying under $350 for brakes and pads is a good deal when all four brakes are being fixed.

i had my meltdown when i read the mail though. the usual monthly bill from the orthopedic surgeon from my shoulder surgery in march. the bill was down to $800--and now it almost at $2000--How can you shoot up a bill that much in less than a month? i get a bill from the dr office almost monthly and I pay what i can. This is due to previous insuranc not willing to pay more than 20%. I have to call the dr's office then have them contact insurance and I have to contact insurance-it is a never ending cycle! i think it would not be as bad as i make it out to be because i do not have an income and feel like crap.

the dogs are loving having someone home. both know when something is wrong and try to do their best to make me feel better-they try to sit in my lap and they are not lap dogs. over 80lbs each. lap and dog does not work....the cats on the other hand sit in my lap and head butt me until i give them some attention. that is ok. the dogs (Smokey & Bandit) are a mix of dalmation and lab and are brother and sister. the cats on the other hand- Harley was adopted first even before the dogs and Davidson was adopted bacause he looks like the dogs (white with black spots)

i feel that i am over reacting. everyone tells me not to worry. something will come up soon and I will be working soon. i should enjoy the time that i am not working and figure on getting the house ready and empty all the boxes...i try but then bills come in that need to be paid so the cycle begins again..

Count down to official unemployment

Here it is only a few days away from the startof work for "new" teachers. I have applied for positions here from the start of March and I am still waiting for a job an interview or even a letter stating someone else was hired. Is it my northern schooling? my accent? not graduating from a college here? It was not a problem in VA to find a job. There were moments that i was worried-but I was hired with in weeks of moving and interviewing. I think I have applied for over 200 positions! This is highly frustrating and depressing.
Don has been here since April and finds nothing wrong with the wait. He andI agree that I need to start looking around at other options. I have been looking into museums and some retail options. I am setting to contact various museums in the next week. That way I can contact the directors prior to mailing out resume' and letttes of interest. I don't mind volunteering as an alternative but I don't want someone paying my debts. I feel that is my responsibility. Kim keeps telling me we are married and we share. I just have issues with that.