James Turns TEN!

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Church, Decorate Tree, Make Cookies, Youth Group (E,D)
Monday - Lessons, Teach 2 Spanish classes, ERRANDS!
Tuesday - Lessons, Young Marines?? (J)
Wednesday - Lessons
Thursday - Lessons
Friday - Lessons, Science Club (J)
Saturday - Santa Shuffle 5K, Book Club

Bob is working M, T, W 10-6:30 and Sa Fri 11-7:30. [UPDATE - Bob asked to work Fri instead of Sat and his boss agreed with no problem. This makes things much easier for us on Sat.]

Still haven't figured out James' birthday. Maybe we'll just be doing a sleepover. I can't figure out a good night either, though! [UPDATE - I think it'll be after Christmas as I think our available weekend dates are all filled.]

I am not sure if we will keep doing Young Marines. Neither of the friends James thought was going to do it with him has done so, and I hate the every-week commitment. Especially in Lapeer. And he hasn't LOVED it.

And Emily is hoping to have a gathering of her friends too, before Christmas, so we have to decide on a time to do that too. [UPDATE - I think we'll end up doing something between Christmas and New Year's for her, too. That changes her plans a little, but I think we can make it work.]

Last week's workouts:
M - 3 mile jog
W - 3 mile jog
Sa - Tae-Bo (60 min)

Yeah, I didn't manage as many workouts as usual. The TV didn't co-operate and life was a little busier. This week I hope to get in 3 jogs (including the 5K on Sat) and 2 Tae-Bo workouts (one long, one short). I'm going to run on the best weather days. I already started out with a 3 mile jog today (Sunday).

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Writing
Monday - NaNoWriMo Ends!!!, Lessons, Teach 2 Spanish classes
Tuesday - Lessons, James birthday, Young Marines (J), Keepers (E&S)
Wednesday - Lessons, Art class (E&J)
Thursday - Lessons, Ladies Christmas Party
Friday - Lessons, Star Wars Day (D), Living Nativity
Saturday - Living Nativity, Decorating the tree

Bob is working M, T, W, F 10-6:30. He won't be getting 40 hours anymore, I guess. This confirms that he has to keep looking for something else. Working 30 hours a week at minimum wage won't keep us solvent. It also makes it pretty clear that I need to bring in some income.

We are making some Christmas cookies this week and starting our Christmas School. I'll post some at Cornerstone about that.

I'm tossing around some ideas for celebrating James' birthday. He wants to gather a couple friends and go to the Community Center to swim, so I'll see if we can work that out.

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts:
S - None
M - Tae-bo (27 minutes) and 100 crunches
T - Jog 3 miles and 100 crunches
W - Tae-bo (attempted the long video, but pooped out before the end - made about 45 min)
Th - Jog 3 miles
Fr - Tae-bo (short)
Sa - None

The Employment Saga Continues

Tonight I sent out a few resumes and completed an online job app or two. Thought y'all might be interested in the jobs I've applied for recently.

The last three weeks have brought these employment opportunities to my notice, and I've applied for each one.

• Merchandiser
• Dispatcher at a Towing Company
• Special Services Notetaker at a local community college
• Stage Crew at the community college
• Clerical Assistant, also at the community college
• Coordinator of Learning Support Services, one more at the community college
• Any available position at a local grocery store
• Court Researcher
• Manager of a local tanning salon (cuz, ya know, I'm so TAN and all. lolol)
• Leasing Agent for an apartment community
• Teacher/Coordinator at some kind of daycare/preschool or something
• Weekend Assembly work at a temp agency (even THEY don't call me back)
• Office Assistant
• Field Interviewer
• Sales Associate/PreSeller for a portrait company (ok, I am getting desperate, eh?)
• Operations Manager for a nationwide movie rental company
• Nutrition Educator

I am trying hard to identify part-time opportunities that allow either a flexible schedule or non-traditional work hours. For full time, I am only considering options that have really excellent pay or weekends only because it would mean the kids have to go to school. And that isn't our goal.

I'd like to do some tutoring, so if anyone is in need of a tutor, please let me know. Also have considered (gasp) babysitting on a regular basis.

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Night of Writing Ridiculously
Monday - Lessons, Teach 2 Spanish classes
Tuesday - Lessons, Live Well group
Wednesday - Lessons
Thursday - Thanksgiving here at home
Friday - Writing, go see New Moon? (anyone? anyone?)
Saturday & Sunday - Writing
Monday - NaNoWriMo Ends!!!

Oh wow! This is the last week of the month! How'd that happen? I am only 60% done with the book! Good thing there isn't too much going on this week, so I can write. Or play Bejeweled Blitz.

Bob works this week on Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat - yep, only four days again. At least they are eight-hour days. He will be working 10-6:30 instead of 8:30-5.

The 5K I plan to do has been moved back a week to December 12, so I have another week to get ready. But it also has another week to get COLD. lol

Planned Workouts - S - None, M - Tae-bo (short), T - Jog 3 miles, W - Tae-bo (long), Th - Jog 3 miles, Fr - Tae-bo (short), Sa - Make up any missed workout

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts:
S - None
M - Tae-bo (27 min)
T - Jog 2.4 miles
W - Tae-bo (60 min)
R - None (too distracted)
F - Tae-bo (27 min)
Sa - Jog 1.5 miles (tired & twinge in knee)

Going to up the jogging next week and hit a 3 mile run at least once, preferably twice.

Sagas 1 & 2 and 5K Coming Up

James went to the doctor last week and was put on an antibiotic. Well, THIS week, he seems to have turned up with a non-allergic amoxicillin rash. He is covered in red spots. I was going to take him to the doctor, but it turned out to be a lot harder than I imagined.

I called our regular pediatrician. Waited on hold for about twelve minutes before speaking to a human and learning that the doctor is out of town for 2 weeks. Gone to India. The office referred us to the pediatrician on call - he was gone to jury duty. (They can't excuse him during H1N1 season??? Really?)

So, I called HIS replacement and left a message on their answering service, which told me they would call back within 48-72 hours. Reassuring, eh? I then called BACK to our office and asked if James could see one of the family practice doctors. Nope, they were all overloaded, and all call-ins were being referred to the walk-in clinic. Farther away? During flu season? Not really a good idea, in my opinion.

Finally that last office called back and told me THAT doctor had gone home sick. I was talking to the nurse though, and she agreed with me that it was probably the non-allergic amoxicillin rash and James was probably not contagious. Keep giving him the amoxicillin.

But I kept him home from co-op anyway because he just looks so awful. He feels great though! The other kids have gone to co-op but I am home with James.

That was saga #1. Saga #2 involved a hard drive failure which thankfully is covered under warranty. I spent a lot less time on the phone with tech support than I did trying to get ahold of a doctor. lol A new hard drive will be sent to us within a couple business days, and we can get back to business. But everything on that hard drive is toast. All of my stuff is backed up. David and Emily both lost some work, though. Emily was devastated, but David was matter-of-fact. He told me his philosophy is basically "Don't cry over spilled milk" and got back to work typing in his lost 2000 words.

I have finished teaching the first semester of one of my Spanish classes. It will resume again mid-January. Three weeks remain in the first semester of the other Spanish classes.

This coming week appears to be calm - most activities are not being held because of Thanksgiving. I am hopeful that I can catch up with my writing. I am several thousand words behind.

I've been counting calories this week. I've not been recording my food intake in a couple of months, but I've gotten lazy. Next year? I better count calories around Halloween. I am going to try hard to make my goal by mid-December.

I found a 5K race, the Santa Shuffle in Lapeer, that I think I'll run two weeks from tomorrow. There is a fun run for the kids that I may be able to persuade the kids to participate in. Anyone care to join me?


So, fin

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Skipped church; rearranged living room
Monday - Lessons, Teach 3 Spanish classes
Tuesday - Lessons, J Young Marines, S&E Keepers
Wednesday - Lessons
Thursday - Lessons
Friday - Co-op
Saturday - Book Club (going to see Shakespeare play!)

Bob works this week on Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat - yep, only four days. :-(

Planned Workouts - S - None, M - Tae-bo (short), T - Jog 2.5 miles, W - Tae-bo (long), Th - Jog 2.5 miles, Fr - Tae-bo (short), Sa - Make up any missed workout or long jog

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts:
S - None
M - None - resting,
T - Kickboxing at church
W - Jog 2.4 miles
T - Tae-bo (27 min)
F - Tae-bo (60 min)
Sa - Painting a room (2 hours or more)

The Tuesday kickboxing class isn't very challenging compared to the other class I took or compared to Tae-bo, but it's a good pace for Emily.

On Wednesday, I jogged TWO MILES WITHOUT STOPPING! I was so excited that I even woo-hoo'd right there in the cemetery. LOL I walked there and back and ran 4 loops. I even did a 20 second speed burst on each loop.

That was the only jog I managed this week - and it was such a nice week too! It's been too chilly for me in the mornings and I only managed an afternoon jog the one time.

I woke up today really sore (in a good way) from the long Tae-bo video I did Friday night, rather late. I worked very hard on it. Today we painted the dining room - mostly David and I - and sparkpeople.com says 2 hours of painting burns 700 calories! So, that was my workout for today - that and scrubbing the floor on my knees.

I'll jog Sunday.

Long-awaited update

I haven't written much of anything here except weekly previews and lists of completed workouts. I haven't had a lot to say, I guess. It's all pouring into the story. Heh heh....

The weather has been a nice surprise - late in the year for an Indian summer, but really nice. This whole week has been gorgeous. Next week also looks to be nice, although chillier with maybe some rain. I can still hang out my laundry on occasion and the furnace isn't running as much, which is nice when it comes time to write that check.

Bob worked Mon-Fri last week and Mon-Thurs this week. He works tomorrow too, which is the Grand Opening of their store. Next week, they only scheduled him four days, one of which is Saturday. Maybe he can use the two weekdays he is off to go apply at some other places. Now that he has some recent work experience, maybe that will help.

David has been busy listing items on eBay. Did you know you can list 5 items every month for free? You pay the final value fee if they sell, but no listing fee. He weeded out his PSP games and is hoping to earn enough money to buy an iPod Touch. He has some money he earned doing yard work for a friend of ours too.

James went to the doctor on Wednesday since he had a sore throat, swollen gland in his neck, and hasn't been sleeping well. The doctor took a throat swab (to test for strep) and wrote him a prescription for an antibiotic. He has been taking it for almost 2 days and feels better - the gland seems smaller. Haven't heard if it was strep or not. She also thought 'mono' was a possibility. If he wasn't feeling better by today, she wanted to see him back again. But he IS feeling better - thankfully. He told me this morning that his throat doesn't hurt when he swallows.

Suzy had bright red cheeks that same day, which is a huge sign a kid has Fifth disease. However, the next day, a lacy rash is supposed to show up on the extremities and she didn't have that, or a fever. So, I don't know what that was all about. I call her healed in Jesus' name!

David and Emily have remained healthy. I've made everyone take Vitamin C a couple times a day and let them sleep in. I bought some garlic for the dreaded garlic/honey/vinegar cure, but I haven't used it. Bob is fighting a sniffle and cough, but that's about it. He often comes down with something in the cold months.

I was supposed to go scrapbooking this weekend with friends, but one friend's son has H1N1 and the other friend is also sick, so we have sadly cancelled our fun times. The kids are bummed because they were going to get to go along as well. Hopefully we can reschedule. So, I guess we can do something family-oriented in the nice weather and we can all write!

Missing? The USB cord for my MP3 player. This will seriously cramp my style! It is a MUST-HAVE.

Stay tuned for details of the insane project I've undertaken since I didn't go away for the weekend.

Weekly Preview

Bob works 8 hours on Monday-Thursday and on Saturday this week. The store opens on Saturday for the first day of business. (Salvation Army in Oxford)

Goal each day is 1667 words. Need to be at 23,000 by Friday.

Sunday - Skipped church; photo shoot
Monday - Lessons, Teach 3 Spanish classes
Tuesday - Lessons, J Young Marines
Wednesday - Lessons; Doug FM Free movie night
Thursday - Lessons
Friday - Lessons; J Science, Scrapping?
Saturday - Scrapping? And writing


Planned Workouts - S - None, M - None - resting, T - Jog 2.5 miles, W - Tae-bo (long), Th - Jog 2.5 miles, Fr - Tae-bo (long), Sa - Make up any missed workout or long jog

If I go to the Healthy Living class on Tuesday night, then I'll do kickboxing there and change my schedule around. Or maybe I'll just add it to this schedule, since that kickboxing is a rather sedate workout comparatively. I can only go if Bob takes James to Young Marines.

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts -
S - 3 mile jog
M - None - resting
T - Jog 1 mile (treadmill problems again! Argh!)
W - Tae-bo (50 min; I skipped the biceps/triceps work)
Th - Jog 2.4 miles (4 loops and walked there/back; kids went me)
Fr - Tae-bo (27 min)
Sa - 2.4 mile jog

On Saturday, I had hoped for 3 miles, but I was not in good form and my right Achilles tendon was tight. So, I alternated jogging and walking a bit more than usual and stopped after 4 loops instead of 6.

I tried treadmill jogging on Tuesday, but after about a mile, it overheated. That's what it did before. And not only did it overheat, it also popped the circuit breaker. And now even when I put in the little key thing, it pops the circuit breaker. In my admittedly under-informed opinion, it needs a new motor. This was a free treadmill we got from a church acquaintance. Her basement had flooded and the treadmill was in there. So, it likely got wet. Not sure if we will try to fix it, or just trash it. Hate to trash it. I was so looking forward to using it this winter.

And can I just say, I love Tae-bo?? It's not too hard, but it makes me sweat. Very good workout. Plus there are varying levels and lengths and different workouts so I don't get too bored. And once I've done it a few times, I can turn down the volume and listen to my MP3 player instead.

I do miss my kickboxing classes though. Those were 30 minutes of cardio kick and 30 minutes of strength/toning exercises. I need to add in those crunches and such-like to my routine.

I have just over a month to my goal date and I have 7 more pounds to lose to my goal weight. It won't be quite a year since I started. I need to get intense about that last bit of weight. I've come a long way and I want to hit my mark!

Weekly Preview

Bob works 8:30-5 Monday-Friday this week. That's the most hours he's been scheduled in a week so far.

Since NaNoWriMo begins Sunday, I will be writing like a madwoman all week. Goal each day is 1667 words.

Sunday - National Novel Writing Month begins! Attend Write-in? D&E Youth Party
Monday - Lessons, Teach 3 Spanish classes
Tuesday - Lessons, J Young Marines & E&S Keepers at Home
Wednesday - Lessons
Thursday - Lessons
Friday - Co-op, J Sleepover
Saturday - No plans except Writing


Planned Workouts - S - 3 mile jog or a bike ride, M - None - resting, T - Jog 2.5 miles, W - Tae-bo, Th - Jog 2.5 miles, Fr - Tae-bo if time before co-op, Sa - Make up any missed workout or long jog

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts:
S - Jog 2.9 miles (5 loops and walking there/back)
M - None - resting
T - Kickboxing 20 min and running 10 laps of the gym at church
W - Jog 2.9 miles (5 loops and walking there/back)
Th - Tae-bo video (27 min)
Fri - none (LOTR marathon day ALL DAY)
Sa - 60 min Tae-bo video (instead of Fri)

I ran a mile and a half (3 loops) without stopping this week. I've done that before, but I can't do it consistently. Yet.

I am not working on increasing speed 0r distance until I can consistently jog 4 or maybe 5 loops without slowing to a walk. I'm sure I can work up to that . Then I will tackle running a little faster (since what I do now is barely a jog, lol) and doing 3 miles as my normal run instead of my "long run".

Weekly Preview

Oops, I wrote this out before the weekend, but neglected to return to publish it.

Sunday - Sunday School & Church
Monday - Lessons, Teach 3 Spanish classes, Bob OFF
Tuesday - Lessons, J Young Marines Halloween Party, Bob OFF
Wednesday - Lessons, Bob work
Thursday - Lessons, Bob work, Bob & I go hear Todd Wilson speak
Friday - Bob Work, LOTR Marathon Day!
Saturday - Bob Work, Trick-or-treating
Sunday - NaNoWriMo begins!

Thankfully Bob's Jury Duty will be over this week. He had to report for one jury selection last week, but wasn't chosen for the jury. He has to call in two days this week, but it's uncertain if he will need to go in or not.

I have no plot for NaNoWriMo yet. Hopefully something will come to me soon! I begin writing on Sunday!

Planned Workouts - S - 2.5 mile jog, M - None - resting, T - Kickboxing class at church w/Emily, W - Jog 2.5 miles, Th - long Tae-bo video, Fr - Jog 2.5 miles, Sa - Make up any missed workout or long jog

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts:
S - 4 mile Bike Ride with Suzy and James
M - None - resting
T -Jog 2.4 miles (4 loops and walking there/back)
W - Tae-bo Instructional Video at home with Emily (not much of a workout)
Th - Jog 2.4 miles (4 loops and walking there/back)
Fri - none
Sa - long Tae-bo video (instead of Fri)

I just can't make it to that 9:00 kickboxing class with Emily and still manage to do a proper day's lessons with the other kids. So until the class is at a more workable time, it's going to be Tae-bo videos for us.

Weekly Preview

Bob has to call in for Jury Duty twice. He hasn't had to go in except for that first day.

I am going to try to do an hour of cold calls each day Mon-Thursday. Check on me with that, ok???

Monday - Lessons, Teach 3 Spanish classes, Bob OFF
Tuesday - Lessons, S&E Keepers, J Young Marines, Bob work
Wednesday - Lessons, Bob work
Thursday - Lessons, Bob work, Pistons Game with J&S
Friday - Co-op, Bob Work
Saturday - Book Club
Sunday - Sunday School & Church

Planned Workouts - S - Bike Ride, M - None - resting, T -Jog 2.5 miles, W - Kickboxing Class with Emily, Th - Jog 2.5 miles, Fri - long Tae-bo video, Sa - Make up any missed workout or jog 3 miles if I feel like it

Since Mondays are so hectic for me, I will probably use that as my rest day.

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts
S - None - resting
M - None, overslept and busy day
T -Jog 2.5 miles
W - woke up feeling queasy so skipped kickboxing (Em was pleased! lol)
Th - still feeling punky so didn't do any exercise
Fri - Tae-bo video (27 min)
Sa - Jogged 3 miles; walked there and back
Su - Planning to head out now for a 4 mile bike ride

Unintelligible?

So today, I was sitting in church listening to a young man play the piano and sing. I didn't realize he could play piano, so I was mildly amazed. The song wasn't particularly to my liking, but it was ok and he was doing well.

Then I heard the old guy behind me lean over to his seatmate and ask a question that nearly made me laugh aloud.

"Is he singing in ENGLISH??"

Jobs I Didn't Get

I've been applying for lots of jobs, mostly NOT teaching jobs. I don't really want to land a teaching position since it requires lots of out-of-classroom commitments as well as working the hours I need to be home in order to keep home educating.

So, I thought I'd give you an overview of some of the jobs I DIDN'T get. All of these were kind enough to let me know I didn't get the jobs. Much preferable to leaving me in the dark about that, I say.

• Support Staff/Library Media Assistant at a local school district (applied before I decided to really try hard to NOT get a school job, lol)
• Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning (Again, another daytime job with a school, although this one's pay would have made it worthwhile! lol)
• Events Manager at a local university - scheduling events for one of their buildings (Oh, I thought I would be really good at this and I liked the afternoon hours.)
• Community Enrichment Program Coordinator - managing an after-school enrichment program for a nearby school district (Ok, hello? I already DO this for our homeschool co-op. I would have been perfect! But it was a bit on the far side....)
• Customer Service Representative for a local branch of an office supply chain retail store (I don't mind working retail, but they apparently didn't want to give me a chance.)

There are LOTS of other jobs I've applied for and have heard nothing, despite it being quite a while. Here are a few:

• Computer Instruction Coordinator
• Hospital Unit Clerk
• Administrative/Purchasing Asst
• Administrative Assistant
• Call Center Representative
• Merchandiser
• Assembly (several jobs with different companies/agencies)
• Library Cataloging Asst
• Proofreader
• Operator/Data Entry Clerk
• Collections Specialist
• Evening Support Staff/Receptionist
• Assistant Program Coordinator
• Business Development Specialist

I had a message today from a company whose ad had read WANTED: Responsible and Organized Person. Well, that's me, right? They called, so I'll call back and see what they might have for me.

I also applied today at a "local" sports venue (one you've all heard of, I'm sure! lol) to do something with food service during games. A friend of mine does it and she says they get great tips.

I'm not worried, as I know Who is in charge. But it all makes me wonder. I've always thought I would have no problem getting work. I guess my plans are not the ones that matter, eh?

Jer 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Something interesting about that verse.... Will share more later....

Weekly Preview

Well, the job didn't work out. It involved being deceptive and I decided my participation would not be a good idea. So, my schedule is less committed. However, I will be making some cold calls, trying finally to get my business started. Yeah, I know I've had a year's hiatus, but I figured if I was willing to make calls to sell water softeners, which I don't care anything about, I ought to be willing to make calls to sell my writing services. Right??

Bob worked 3 eight hour days last week. This week he will probably work 10-5 four days. Plus he has to call in for Jury Duty twice.

Sunday - Sunday School & Church, D & E have youth group at night
Monday - Lessons, Teach 3 Spanish classes, Bob work
Tuesday - Lessons, Tour Fire station, J Young Marines?, Bob work
Wednesday - Lessons, AWANA, James Soccer game
Thursday - Lessons, Soccer game for J, Bob work
Friday - Lessons, Bob work, card playing night?
Saturday - Last soccer games for J & S, visit a friend?

Planned Workouts (same as last week, I think) - S - None - resting, M - Tae-bo video, T -Jog 2.5 miles, W - Kickboxing Class with Emily, Th - Jog 2.5 miles, Fri - Tae-bo video, Sa - Make up any missed workout or jog 3 miles if I feel like it, Su - rest and maybe a bike ride?

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts -
S - None - resting,
M - Tae-bo video (65 minutes)
T -Jog 1.0 miles (darn treadmill died!)
W - Kickboxing Class with Emily
Th - Jog 2.5 miles
Fri - Nothing. My knees were bothering and I overslept besides. :-D
Sa - Jogged 3.4 miles (6 loops, plus walking there and back)

Weekly Preview

This week I start working in the afternoons. Tuesday is my first day. Bob is probably working during the day, but I don't know if it will be every day. Plus he has to report for Jury Duty on Tuesday. It's going to be a hectic week and I am getting everything done ahead of time that I can.

Sunday - Sunday School & Church, D & E have youth group at night
Monday - Lessons, Spanish classes, Bob works 8:30-5
Tuesday - Lessons, J & D soccer games, Bob JURY DUTY, I work 4-9, Girls have Keepers at the Nature Center
Wednesday - Lessons, AWANA begins (but I am not sure if we are doing it), I work 4-9
Thursday - Lessons, Soccer practice for J and game for S, I work 4-9
Friday - Co-op, I work 5-9, David's last soccer game (he's breathing a sigh of relief!), James Science Club
Saturday - I work 9-1 (no soccer games this weekend)

Planned Workouts - S - None - resting, M - Tae-bo video, T -Jog 2.5 miles, W - Kickboxing Class with Emily, Th - Jog 2.5 miles, Fri - Tae-bo video if there is time before co-op, Sa - Make up any missed workout or jog 3 miles if I feel like it, Su - rest and maybe a bike ride?

Workout Log

Completed Workouts -
S - None - resting
M - Jog 2 miles
T -Tae-bo video (35 min)
W - Jog 2 miles
Th - Played soccer with Suzy's team for 40 minutes
Fri - None
Sa - jogged 2.5 miles (and was nearly late for soccer, so I didn't go the full 3 miles)

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Sunday School & Church, D & E have youth group at night
Monday - Lessons, Spanish class, D soccer practice, My BIRTHDAY!
Tuesday - Lessons, J & S soccer games
Wednesday - Lessons, Art class for E & J
Thursday - Lessons, Clothes Swap?, Soccer practice for J and S
Friday - Field Trip to Orchard
Saturday - Suzy and James soccer games

I don't know Bob's work schedule. He's been working evenings, usually 4-5 hours. If I get any work, then of course everything changes! [Update - Bob's schedule this week seems to be M 4-8:30pm, T/W off, Th/Fr 8:30-5]

Planned Workouts - S - None - resting, M - Jog 2 miles, T -Tae-bo video, W - Jog 2 miles, Th - Tae-bo or kickboxing class, Fri - None? Or make up a missed workout, Sa - jog 3 miles hopefully, Su - rest

Workout Log

Completed Workouts -
S - ran 5K (3 mi),
M - None - resting,
T - 1 mile jog, but hilly,
W - Tae-bo video (30 min),
Th - 2 mile jog,
Fri - ran out of time,
Sa - 2 mile jog,
Su - wanted to bike, but didn't have time, so rested

13 Things I Have to Do Today (minus 2)

I thought I'd follow my friend Michele's example and detail 13 things I have to do today.

1 - Return DVD's to the library. I watched The Soloist (Robert Downey Jr and Jamie Foxx) which I adored. The kids watched Hotel for Dogs which was predictable and sappy, but they liked it. [DONE}

2 - Dig out my essay evaluation paperwork so that I can speak to the SAT prep class at co-op tomorrow. [Found the stuff I need. But what am I going to tell these kids about writing their essays? I feel clueless.]

3 - Read a whole bunch of The Count of Monte Cristo. I have about 400 more pages to read before Saturday! [Read to page 333]

4 - Take Suzy to her soccer practice this evening. We'll probably ride our bikes there; it's just two blocks away. James doesn't have practice tonight. Bob will be AT WORK. [Took her and brought James along. He was invited to practice with his last year's coach's team and I sat and read Monte Cristo. D & E stayed home and cleaned up dinner and got ready for tomorrow.]

5 - Hang two loads of laundry on the line, or actually make the kids do that. I hang out all of our laundry, only doing laundry on days when I can do that. Not looking forward to cold weather but I will still hang out the laundry if there is a breeze, until there is actually snow on the ground. [Emily hung out and brought in the laundry.]

6 - Follow up on some job applications. [Applied for one job, printed out info for several for Bob to apply at tomorrow. Still need to send a few emails.]

7 - Call a couple places that we owe money to and tell them why we haven't paid the bills. Hard to pay when you have no money and payday is a month away and the check will be really small. (Oh, I am really not looking forward to that one.....) [Update - this is done. Did the most distasteful task first. Made small payments so that our internet, phone, and cell phones will stay connected. Important, so potential employers can contact us and so we can job search and apply online for work!]

8 - Take some chapters of Fiery Cross and A Breath of Snow and Ashes off my MP3 player and load new ones. I am trying hard to finish ABOSAA quickly so that I can start An Echo in the Bone, Diana Gabaldon's NEW book that just came out this week! [DONE!]

9 - Push the kids through their lessons - an uphill battle (especially when I am blogging! lol) [STILL WORKING ON THIS! ARRRRRRGGGGHHHHH - Later - I gave up on the lessons for today. Next week is a fresh start. Right? RIGHT????]

10 - Watch pointless videos like this one. [Watched those, but no more. See? Not so much a time-waster! LOL]
Jackie Chan's On Me
Or this:

11 - Run 2 miles [OK, I already did that. And James went with me and ran part of the way.]

12 - Weigh myself since it is Thursday. [OK, I already did that too. And I lost another 1.4 pounds! 30 pounds lost now.]

13 - Figure out where to put all the board games since we moved stuff around upstairs and those no longer have a home. [This can wait until the weekend. I am whipped.]

Bob Goes to Work

OK, I know some of you have wondered about Bob's new employment. I didn't say anything much about it before it started for a couple reasons. First, he wasn't all that excited about it. It pays minimum wage and it's not full-time. Second, we were hoping he'd get something else before this job started.

So, anyway, that wasn't God's plan. Bob started at the Salvation Army yesterday. He was hired for a new store, but is training at an existing store (that is farther away). He is working 7 hours 5 days a week this week. I guess we'll see if that continues or changes. He is a back room worker, at least thus far. (One day in, lol)

At least it's a job, eh? Some income is better than none. And he's out of the house doing something. And hopefully a stepping stone to something more lucrative.

Workout Log

Here was the workout plan for the week: - S - none, M - Tae-bo video or none?, T - jog, W - kickboxing class?, Th - jog, Fri - kickboxing class, Sa - none?, Su - 5K race.

Here's how it panned out:
Sunday - none (gone all day for family reunion)
Monday - none (resting from long jog on Sat)
Tuesday - jogged 1.5 miles (only about 1/8 mile of walking in that, after the first mile!)
Wednesday - kickboxing class (30 min Cardio Kick and 30 min abs and strength training)
Thursday - jogged 1.5 miles (only about 1/8 mile of walking in that, after the first mile!)
Friday - Tae-bo basic kickboxing video (27 min) (instead of class)
Saturday - Watched soccer for about 90 minutes. (Doesn't that count? no? Darn! lol)
Sunday - Ran my first 5K!

Don't miss the new weekly preview just below this post. Sorry my blog is so boring lately! lol

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Skipping church to run 5K, D & E have youth group at night
Monday - Lessons, Spanish class, Bob starts his part-time job
Tuesday - Lessons, David, James & Suzy soccer games
Wednesday - Lessons, Soccer board meeting
Thursday - Lessons, Soccer practice for J and S
Friday - Co-op, David soccer practice
Saturday - Suzy and James soccer games (Suzy has pix), Wedding to attend, Book Club

I need to read a LOT of The Count of Monte Cristo this week - about 35 chapters! I don't know Bob's work schedule yet. If I get any work, then of course everything changes!

Planned Workouts - S - run 5K, M - None - resting, T - easy jog, maybe a mile?, W - kickboxing class or Tae-bo video?, Th - jog, Fri - Tae-bo video, Sa - jog, Su - rest (I wish I could do the T/Th Kickboxing classes instead of the morning ones but they conflict with soccer for now.)

Weekly preview

So tired, but must look at the schedule for the upcoming week so as not to miss anything.

Sunday - Family reunion
Monday - First real day of lessons, First day teaching Spanish, David soccer practice
Tuesday - Lessons, Emily - eye dr, James & Suzy soccer games, Emily - girls club (Suzy will miss it)
Wednesday - Lessons and that's all. Does AWANA start tonight? I sure hope not.
Thursday - Lessons, Soccer practice for J and S
Friday - Lessons (or Ren Fest, on the off chance I decide to spend the $$), David soccer game
Saturday - James soccer pix and game (none for Suzy this Sat!)

Workouts - S - none, M - Tae-bo video or none?, T - jog, W - kickboxing class?, Th - jog, Fri - kickboxing class, Sa - none?, Su - 5K race.

OK, SOOOOOO tired. off to bed.

Workout Log

Well, these were the workout plans were: S - Bike ride, M - Jogging, T - kickboxing (evening), W - kickboxing (AM), T - Jogging, Friday - OFF, S - Jogging

What actually happened was:
Sunday - Walk with family (instead of bike ride)
Mon - Sick, so no workout
Tuesday - Jogged 2.5 miles instead of going to kickboxing
Wed - Did Tae-Bo video instead of going to kickboxing (she changed class time and it's later in the AM - messes up my day!) + 100 crunches
Thurs - Nothing! Way too hectically busy!
Friday - Tae-bo video
Sat - Jogged 3.1 miles! WOO-HOO!!! Longest ever, and I ran 1.5 miles before I stopped to walk!

On the Road Again

I've been in the car too much this week!

Tuesday - Drove to book sale and back - about 60 miles round trip
Wednesday - Drove to ANOTHER book sale and back - about 82 miles round trip
Thursday - Drove to David's game - 64 miles round trip
Friday - Drove to co-op and back, then to David's game and then to Maryann's - 120 miles
Saturday - Drove back from Maryann's and then to the kids' soccer games - 52 miles
Sunday - Heading to family reunion and back - about 316 miles round trip

More than 700 miles this week! ARGH! If it weren't for The Fiery Cross audiobook, I'd have been sorely bored during all that driving!

Teaching Sunday School?

So, I came home today to find a message on the answering machine.

"So, Lisa, this is your Sunday School Superintendant, just confirming with you that you're teaching 4th/5th grade Sunday School starting on Sunday. I want to stop by and drop off your curriculum, so give me a call back."

ACK! What?!

Um, no.....

Remember all the problems last year? Remember her asking me last spring, "So, do you want to teach in the fall?"

And me snapping back at her, "NO!" - this after the VERY WORST teaching day of my life. Ever!?

So, why in the world she thought I'd want to teach again - the same class - this fall, I have no clue. But I called her back to clear up the clouded situation.

"Um, I think we have a miscommunication. I wasn't planning on teaching this fall."

Thankfully, she didn't try to persuade me, although she did ask me who I thought might be good.

This is TUESDAY. The fall session of Sunday School begins on, well, Sunday. Five days away. Sigh.

A Week of FIRSTS

I haven't done a weekly preview for a while now, but it's time again! This is a week full of FIRST DAYS!

Beside the scheduled events listed, I need to go through the fall clothes, finish my homeschool planning, get my sale books together,

Sunday - Church
Monday - LABOR DAY
Tuesday - Book Sale (as a seller), Suzy & James soccer practice
Wednesday - Book Sale (as a seller)
Thursday - FIRST DAY of lessons, David soccer game, James Soccer practice
Friday - FIRST DAY of co-op, FIRST DAY of James Science Club, David soccer game (yes, 2 in a row)
Saturday - FIRST DAY of soccer games for James and Suzy, maybe watching Robin Hood!
Sunday - Family Picnic/Reunion (FIRST DAY of Sunday School, but we'll miss it.)

Exercise plans are: S - Bike ride, M - Jogging, T - kickboxing (evening), W - kickboxing (AM), T - Jogging, Friday - OFF, S - Jogging