Top Pot Doughnut Dash

Beat my personal best by 8 seconds! 31:36. Still trying to get down to 30 minutes. My running buddy sped up around the last half mile and got a minute ahead of me. Speedy girl!

Knitting

I've been knitting a lot lately. Sock after sock after sock. I finally had some motivation to take a break and knit a baby sweater for a new friend's baby. This was the second attempt. It's hard to find suitable boy sweaters. I really wanted to make a newborn sweater; my first attempt was. It was ugly, though. Here it is, a cute striped sweater for a 3 month old boy who isn't even a day, yet.

I cannot, for the life of me get this dang picture to rotate. I've rotated the picture and saved it three times, and every time blogger posts it like this.

sore muscles

I made my sister's corn cake the other day and found myself with a lot of left over heavy whipping cream. What's a girl to do? Make butter, of course!

It's pretty good. I think next time I'll add some garlic and/or salt. Mmmm fancy!

heartache

In eighth grade, I was sitting at the lunch table with my three friends. I couldn't quite hear what they were talking about.

"Wait, who are you talking about?" I asked.
"We can't tell you!!!" C said, snottily.
"Well, then don't talk about it in front of me."

For the rest of the year, C convinced J and C2 not to talk to me. I finished out eighth grade without any close friends.

When you're 14, life sucks. I was already a nerd so those three friends were pretty important to me socially. Down the street, I had three friends who I grew up with, but they found their route to popularity and we never hung out at school. These friends had a pregnant cat.

Depressed and alone I knew I needed a companion. At first, my parents said no. I remember sobbing and choking out the words, "but I need...." and never finished my sentence. I'm still not sure if they understood what I meant or if they just gave in. They weren't ever very supportive of my social growth.

So, August 8, 1993, I spent the night at my friends' house as their cat gave birth to adorable orange kittens. I had claimed I wanted the kitten with the most white on it who was named Sugar Legs. Mom and Dad told me I could not have her because she was the runt and they wouldn't have a runt again. (My previous runt cat was awesome and I still don't know what their problem was.)

I settled on the fluffiest, then named Sunshine.

I was there when they learned to crawl, open their eyes, and to love pets from humans. I brought her home and changed her name to Soleil. She wore a periwinkle blue collar.

My bed was about four feet high and she could leap from the ground up there. It was a waterbed and would pop often from this trick.

In the summers, she'd "play jungle" by lounging in the long leaves of the day lilies. Sometimes she'd jump out and grab your leg as you walked by and then run away, hoping you would chase her.

Through teen angst, break ups, and unemployment she was there with cuddles and purrs.

Today, at age 16.5, she was put to sleep. I am broken hearted but very grateful that she was there with me through the tough times. I don't know that I could have done any better than Soleil.

Finally some recognition!

All year I've been waiting for a call to go to a school I enjoyed visiting when I gave watershed programs. The teachers there had asked me if I could sub, but at that time it was voerboden.

Wednesday, I finally got a call to go there and the fourth/fifth grade teachers recognized me! They were happy to see me. I was only there for a half day while they discussed the current math curriculum and the new state test and standards and the mess that's been created. Before the teacher had even come back, seen how the class was reacting to me or that I had done anything she asked, she was already pimping me out to another teacher.

Today, I was filling in for the technology teacher and I stopped by and handed out some cards. One teacher and I were discussing the current lack of teaching jobs and such. I mentioned that I'm not an outgoing charmer like some and so pushing into the field is more difficult.

She said, "you're like my kids, quiet, confident and competent..." yay! Then she went on to say, "I've seen far too often those people who dazzle the interviewers and then when it comes down to it they can't perform."

Amen, lady!

2010 > 2009 by a long shot

Last week I taught high school French in the district I try to avoid. It went fabulously! The students were impressed with my French speaking ability and the third year students asked all their questions to me en francais as if I were their normal teacher. I loved it and I hope I get called back there!

At the same school I ran into a woman I worked with at the zoo. I'm not sure why I didn't know she was a high school environmental science teacher! I liked her before and now I like her even more. She has my card so I can sub for her sometime, too.

The following day I went back to the school that made me cry. At least one of the office staff didn't remember me. Phew! And my class of second graders weren't too terrible. One threw up and some couldn't focus for the life of them but I just kept giving reminders, sitting with them and asking them questions. No surprise parents, runaways, or awful sub notes. Hooray!

On Thursday, I got an e mail from my boss at the park asking me to be a lead naturalist this summer! I am ecstatic! It means she values me and recognizes my teaching. Part of why I am leaving the environmental education world is because I like to do my job and do it well. I'm not pushy or like to show off. Finally! Someone has seen how good I am and is rewarding me for it!

Also, she knows of a full time permanent job coming up this fall and asked if I would like her to suggest me for the position!! I don't want to give away too many details because 1. I don't want you to apply for it ; )and 2. I'm not sure the agency knows that it is opening up yet.

On top of all this, I get to see my gym boyfriend three times a week. We met outside the gym once, but that was for him to help me with my resume. I won't get my hopes up, but I am enjoying the endorphins of a crush!

High school

The district I sub in most often is a half hour north of me. There's only one school I won't go back to because the kids are really good in every school I've been to except that one. Ok, that might be kind of a lie. There's the school I'm too embarrassed to go back to because I cried in front of everybody. I guess that makes two I won't go to.

I sub regularly for a high school physics, chemistry and algebra teacher. I have no idea why he requests me. I met him once while subbing for another teacher and he's requested me ever since even though I have never taken physics and can't remember chemistry. Algebra is fun and great but those two classes of his don't especially like me; they're mostly freshman.

Last week he asked if I would be available the 8th and 11th. I told him I would be and was surprised but pleased to be requested for the entire week. This morning I got up at 6 am, drove up there, signed in and met him in the classroom which is usual for us. What was unusual was the surprised look he gave me. There was a typo and he didn't actually need me all week after all.

I drove home in traffic since I was driving towards the city. That took twice as long as getting up there. When I got home I started to get calls for other jobs. One I would've loved: doing office work in HR! But it was starting in 15 minutes and I had already driven an hour and a half this morning.

Now I'm snuggled up in bed and not making any money.

I think I'll knit.