Saturday, October 17, 2009

Notes from Last Week

Sunday: Spent the afternoon walking around Georgetown before dropping off Ed at work. I told Asher we were going on an "Adventure" because if I say we're going on a walk, he will bitterly complain. A boat was trying to pass through the C & O canal so we got to see the locks in action and the boys were mesmerized. Afterwards, Asher said, "that was a great adventure, mommy!" Phew.

Monday: Got up early and headed to out to Loudon County to find apples and pumpkins. My friend found a beautiful old farm for us near Purcellville. I like farms that are all food and no animals...more pleasant on the nose.

Tuesday: Woke up wondering if I was pregnant. Quit my Kaplan job over a pay dispute (I had taken a buyout in June, but was rehired this fall at what I had assumed would be my previous salary). It felt good to not allow myself to be taken advantage of....but my wallet is feeling a little emptier. Great bike ride with Ed on the Reston trails while Asher was in preschool.

Wednesday: Volunteered at Noe's school in the AM. Spent the afternoon cooking up freezer meals in the kitchen....yep....you read that right.

Thursday: PAYDAY!!! Ed and I started a new monthly cash-only budgeting system in an effort to spend less and build up our savings. Let's just say that the last week has been a little tight for the both of us. Followed balloon boy saga while I ran errands. Did a therapy session with Noe after his sports camp....best one we've had in a long time. Thinking of making him run sprints around our block before every therapy session from now on. Had friends over for apple crisp and ice cream in the evening. Made applesauce with the remaining apples from Monday's trip while Ed was out cheering for his Dodgers. Couldn't sleep....still wondering why I am having pregnancy symptoms.

Friday: Pouring rain for the second day so morning run was out. Paced anxiously around the house instead. Mid-morning I sprinted across the street to get a home pregnancy test and sprinted back. When it came back negative, I realized that it was the first time I had ever taken a pregnancy test and failed. Lots of mixed emotions, but mostly relief. Tried to get little sis pumped up for her big interview. She is doing well on her own so far with little R, very proud. In the evening, I tried a movie night with the boys. We watched.....drum roll please..... a Thomas the Train video and ate popcorn. I fell asleep. Next week is Mama's choice. Think the boys would like Pretty Woman?

Saturday: Spent the morning at a Panera studying for my SVLE exam while Noe was at his Saturday morning socialization camp. I would have had even more time to study, but I forgot my trustee GPS and had to find my way to South Riding by MEMORY. At Panera, I overheard a real estate agent meeting with a young couple. She said that the real estate market was starting to come back strong in our county. From her lips to God's ears....

Today: Asher gave his first primary talk all by himself and he did AWESOME. His face was one big smile from one giant ear to the other. I volunteered myself to do a big project for the local POAC (Parents of Autistic Children) chapter. Oh vey... time to do some restructuring of my schedule to actually pull this off. How exactly am I going to work full-time next year when I don't have enough hours in the day as it is? Just read that the balloon boy's parents staged the whole event. Sick. Sick. Sick. Interesting that the little six year old boy got physically ill at the television interviews. Kids have a much stronger sense of right and wrong than adults sometimes.....or most of the time.

4 comments:

michelle said...

Wow, you had a busy week. I guess I did too. It was a lot of fun apple picking, making freezer meals and eating apple crisp with you.

I've always had a positive on my pregnancy tests, I think I would have lots of mixed emotions if it came back negative.

I'm glad Asher did great on his first talk. Andrew said Sophie read her scripture super softly and then sat down.

Belle said...

I'll never forget our Easter dinner with Heidi and Josh right after you found out you were pregnant with Asher.

The "adventure" spin is great. Yesterday, on the way home from church, I asked the kids if they wanted to take an autumn bike ride around the lake near our house and Toby said, "I'm just not into it. Can I stay home and watch tv?" Ugh.

What kind of job are you looking for? I am firing up the job search too and finding it so intimidating.

Jen said...

Belle, Yeah...I've learned to be a little more low-key about my two immaculate conceptions and lack of fertility issues since then....but I remember that dinner well too. It didn't seem possible to me to handle two babies in NYC and I was definitely shellshocked. You can do just about anything if you have to :-)

I am going to teach and I am pretty darn excited about it! It isn't anything I ever planned to do, but it feels like a great fit. I have been so inspired by Noe's teachers and think it will be a great fit for our family. I will probably teach h/s math and then teach business classes if I can find the right program. I am trying to get into an accelerated program for this spring, but I barely have enough work experience to qualify, so I may have to do the traditional route.

Good luck with your job search (are you looking at university & research jobs?) Keep me posted!

THE NORRIS FAMILY said...

what a week! Asher WAS awesome with his talk! It was fun to be in the room to hear him! I get the mixed emotions... esp when it's been a few days of wondering... we need to go back to the cash-only system - it always works so well when we did it!!! what test are you taking? good job standing up to Kaplan! wahoo!