Tis time soon

Rachel and I have been trying to get stuff done with the yard but decided we would like more company. So sometime in the not so distant future we would like to plan a family work day. Probably late May or June. First, we want to get input from everyone and find out what schedules are like. What do youins think?
Tonight we saw "United 93". Very sobering indeed. I have heard other people say they think it's too soon or stupid altogether. But I'm glad I saw it for educational purposes and for remembrance.

I have a job!

At least a part time one. I am the new assistant coach of the NW girls soccer team. Linda Gray, my coach and the still current coach, wants to retire after the '06 season and I asked if I could assist her this year and possibly take over next year if I like it. She got everything approved with the necessary people and I know have a job!

Not sure how this may or may not effect teaching, but I don't even know if I will get a teaching job and I don't want to turn down an offer. I am just praying that God will be in complete control of what happens and that I can happily follow his will for me.

July isn't that far off

Anybody start their all-star voting yet?

Fantasyland

Just finished reading Fantasyland: A Season on Baseball's Lunatic Fringe by Sam Walker. Wanted to through this one out to Dad, Brian, Mike, and Steph, and anyone else interested in the subculture of pro baseball known as fantasy leagues.

It's about a reporter's quest to beat the most elite, invitation-only members of the Tout Wars. Not only is it an entertaining (really funny, actually) look at the realities of modern baseball, but also a case study of popular strategies and a profile of the most famous originators, contributors and players of the game.

Highly recommended.

Kitchen cabinets

Yes,I know that this topic is not one that is going to make you say, "Gosh, I've just GOT to read this!" But I can't help being excited about the cabinets Dad & I bought at the Habitat Store Saturday. They are heavy, high-quality, lightly-used cabinets in an ususual style that fits right in with a cabin. Here is a photo of some of them as they stand in our garage. Aren't they nifty? Doesn't it make you want to immediately plan a trip to the cabin?

one interview down

i had my interview at smithville today. it was very grueling and intense. i walked out and suddenly realized my neck and shoulders were stiff as a board and i had a horrible headache. it lasted a little over an hour and there were two principles there, each with about 3 pages of questions to ask me. as i answered, they took little notes. i think i did okay. i know i didn't answer all of the questions perfectly, but i gave my best and thought through my answers before just blurting something out. me being self-critical, i've gone over and over what i could have said, but i don't think i did too bad. i won't be heartbroken if i don't get a second interview. i'm just happy to have this under my belt so that way i can prepare a little better for the next one. i know what to expect now. and what i really want is one of those 4th or 5th grade spots at NW if they are available. so this is good practice.

they said they will call me by the end of next week to let me know either way. i will keep you all updated.

important reminder

i just thought everyone needed a little reminder: in the words of Mary Roach..."Whatever!"

It's Official!

The cabin now has an indoor bathroom, complete with flushing toilet, tub/shower (featuring both HOT and COLD running water) and even (tah dah!) a DOOR with a lock! Granted, the long wall next to the bedroom consists of one panel of chipboard, the back of the bathtub, and a long piece of cardboard, and the door does not reach the top of the door frame, and there is no sink as yet, but----hey, it's miles better than old Sparky!

We also have a kitchen sink, with hot and cold running water, two drains, and a countertop made of plywood!

Three double beds and a futon complete the luxurious accomodations. We are now taking reservations for summer weekends or vacations.

ok, here is my first one

I will try my first post. Not much to say but I'll send a pic of my favorite nephew.

Several news items

1) Mike had a meeting with his bosses about the upcoming water division. Things are looking great. They want to buy more equipment than Mike expected, so they are diving right in. They will be buying a truck or van, and to start, Mike will basically go to all jobs with a foreman. He also discussed with them the possibility of being a part owner of the new division and they seemed excited about the idea. They were not expecting that, but they will talk to their accountant and work out details. If they agree, we will put in as much $ as we can to purchase equipment and be somewhere around 25% owners (we hope). This should benefit everyone involved.

2) We are now a 1 car family - for a little while. We sold Mike's aunt Lorie our Camry. She is going through a divorce right now, just moved to a rental house, and cannot afford to pay on the van that she purchaced about a year ago. She inquired about our car and we decided that with me barely driving anywhere right now we could sell it to her for a fair price, she can make payments to us, and we will borrow one of the Bowman's vehicles until we need to buy something. We will probably start looking in June, but we are not sure what direction we want to go. I could get a college grad discount on something brand new, but we may just get an old truck for Mike instead. We will be praying about it and waiting until God gives us an answer. The nice thing is, unless I get a job kind of far away, we are in no hurry to buy something. Gary does not need his extra truck until the snow falls and he needs the plow.

3) I have a job interview in Smithville on the 21st. It is for their Gifted & Talented program. I'm nervous, but I know that even if I don't get the job it is still good practice. I also talked to NW's elementary principle. The might soon have a 4th and/or 5th grade spot open when they are doing the internal shuffle from people retiring. If they are left open when the jobs are open to the public, I wanted to get my foot in there. So I breifly chatted with Mrs. McCumber (sp?) and dropped off a resume. She seemed interested, so that could be promising. I am continuing to look for jobs online, but it is still early in the hiring season. I am trying to be patient and stay calm, but it can be so hard to not worry with my future so uncertain. I am prepared with other plans if I do not get a job by the fall.

The Show Must Go On.

About 15 minutes after I got home tonight, I got a call from Dave O'Roark, the director of the drama ministry at our church. After we exchanged pleasantries, he took a breath and said, "Okay, so here's the deal..."

That is never a good sign.

Instead of a strict gospel presentation like our church has done for the past two years, this year they're doing a multimedia presentation, with music, video and dramatic pieces. We asked not to be involved because we were in New Zealand when they started making plans.

But last night, Mark Price, one of the guys doing a dramatic reading with Dave, broke his foot in the parking lot of the church.

So now I have to memorize a 6-minutes monologue in the next 19 hours or so.

Prayer would be appreciated.

And to top it all off, Ace wasn't eliminated from American Idol last night. His sorry butt keeps skating through each week.

You've got to be kidding me

http://www.lasikathome.com/index.html

we have a piano

we got a piano from mike's aunt lorie. if anyone has old beginner lesson books i would enjoy them very much. hopefully soon i can start claire on some lessons. also we don't have a bench so if you know where we might find one that would be nice too.

This is especially for mom

Spellcheque!

http://www.spellingsociety.org/news/media/poems.php

Hee hee

In case you don't get The Learning Channel, check out some of the ads they've been running recently:

http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/lifelessons/lifelessons.html?dcitc=w99-530-ah-0013

My personal favorite is life lesson #73.

Food for thought

On Wednesday of this week, at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06.