Edging my way into the Digital Age

Well, I bought a new TV this weekend. However, I couldn't justify the expense of a flat panel since television is just not that important to me. So I am very happy with my 27" "flat screen". The bonus is that I receive the local stations' digital broadcasts. You know what that means . . . bye-bye rabbit ears! And since I'm on a technology roll, I think I'm going to go ahead and have satellite TV and internet installed at my house. I know . . . you're all very impressed!

I love my job! (boring post ahead)

Really, I do, but it has been a really rough start to the year. We are all at 24-25 kids each--add to that the fact that they are 5 year olds and most have never been in any sort of school setting and 7 of them don't speak English and you have my first 2 weeks of school. Things are getting better now but I was so discouraged at the end of the first week.
The first day was the worst I've had in my 9 years of teaching. There were crying kids, 2 "bathroom accidents" before 8:30 a.m., kids going through the lunch line and getting only milk and silverware, and 20 minutes to get everyone in a line to go anywhere. Can you say "crowd control"? Add to that the 3 kids I lost on the way to the bus, along with the 5 gallons of sweat that was dripping off me by the end of the day and it was good times!
Things are looking up now. We had a fire drill and everyone made it out to the field. It now takes us only 10 minutes to get anywhere instead of 15. And I don't come home absolutely exhausted anymore. Now, if only the weather would relent and I could come home without feeling like I just finished a marathon!

The Good and The Bad

First the good news-- the move was a huge success and I love my new place! However, moving in July sucks big-time. Thankfully I had several family members and friends helping me and it was a pretty quick move, all things considered. I did feel bad for the guys that I moved from a 2nd floor unit to another 2nd floor unit, though.
I will have to post some pics of my new place. It is beautiful. I have wood floors, except in the bedroom which is Berber carpet. Although I don't have a pantry, and I have a TON of kitchen stuff, there is a lot of other storage here. I finally have a hall closet AND a linen closet! I guess that means I'm a big girl now.
Now for the bad news--my TV died! It wasn't a brand new one but it had never had any problems. I turned it off before I went to bed Wednesday night and when I tried to turn it on Thursday morning--nothing!! I guess that means time to buy a new TV. I knew I would need a new one in February when everything goes digital but I was hoping to put off the purchase as long as possible. For now, I am bringing my 13" out and putting it on the island during the day and then taking it back in my room when I go to bed. It works for now. Remember, I am the cheap-o that uses Rabbit Ears rather than springing for Cable. So, if any of you come over to visit, there will be TV watching for the near future. But, please, come over to visit soon!

Packing Sucks!

I am so over this packing. I started a couple of weeks ago thinking that I would have plenty of time to get everything organized. Well let's just say that I have a lot of CRAP! I think I have thrown out more than I have packed. No one needs 24 tote bags/purses. Apparently you never know when you will be in need of a "Reading First" bag. I also felt like I could safely dispose of the binders from the numerous "educational" conferences that I have attended over the past few years. Now watch, I will need some of that information and it is lost forever! I guess I'll just take my chances.

I was also going to be so good about labeling all of my boxes so that unpacking would be a breeze. Everything in a box would go together at my new place. Well, that was great for the first few boxes. Today everything is now "miscellaneous". I have some of the most random things that were left. So, they are now becoming friends in the big brown boxes.

Oh yeah, another note about the wonderful management here at my complex. I got a call today from the office wanting to touch base with me about my plans. Hewanted to follow up on our June 27 call when I told him I thought I'd be moving. Just wanted to let me know that they had some "amazing" incentives to re-sign my lease. HELLO!!! Moving in two days--gave my notice on June 30! Apparently there is no communication in that office. Plus the "amazing" incentive was $500 of my rent for next month. But hurry, the offer is only good through this weekend!

Bugs Are Creepy but . . .

Welcome to my blog! OK, I'll admit it, I didn't really want to call my blog "Bugs Are Creepy" but none of the other titles I came up with were available and at this point in time my carpet is infested with little black creepy crawlies . . . my new nighttime entertainment has been seeing exactly how many of them I can vacuum up before they burrow back into the carpet. Add in the crickets who are using my head as a catapult while I watch TV and you have the recipe for good times!
I guess this is more proof that it is time to move! I absolutely loved my apartment for the first 2 years I lived here. However, when the new management company took over last year it was all downhill. Now my clean, quiet, and well-maintained complex has become run-down, noisy, and bug-infested . Not to mention all the new neighbors who get their jollies by standing around their primered and lowered vehicles listening to their car stereos. Oh yeah, and leaving their cup-o-noodles laying in their parking spot when they leave.
So, in just 5 short days I get to move down the road a few miles to a brand spankin' new complex. I'm so happy . . . hopefully I will like my new place. That's right, I haven't actually seen the inside of an apartment there. But, I love the people who work there and the outside facilities are beautiful! And, the bonus is, my rent will actually be lower than I have been paying here. So long as the creepy crawlies don't follow me, I think it's a win-win situation.