The Office

If you can remember (it's been a year!) we moved last summer the weekend right before I started my new teaching job on Monday, so I've had to hold off on any home improvements until I had some time. I finally got to start painting around here.

Here are some before and after pics of our office.

Before-some kind of two-toned grey above and below the chair rail. We had already done some spackling to the right of the french doors. Between the wood beams on the ceiling are florescent light fixtures encased in wood. We ended up tearing those out.


View up the stairs:

After. :) The top color is Sherwin Williams Relentless Olive, and the bottom color is a can of chocolate brown we found right after we moved in.

After view up the stairs. We had to pull out some florescent fixtures from the ceiling, so hubby put up this light bulb for me to see while I painted. Being the wonderful electrician that he is, he will put in some recessed lights for me when he's not too busy working for money :)

My next project is that portion of grey that's still there going up the stairs. That leads into the eating area/kitchen and I have Hearty Orange already picked out for that. :) Hopefully, I can get started on that project Monday.

Year One Down

The feeling of accomplishment is good.

Year one of teaching is complete, and I am so glad. :) I've learned so many things, and I really think I should start keeping a "book". I have been to both extremes of happy and sad; put together and broken; ready to go and ready to stop.

I don't think it's really hit me just yet that I don't have to step foot into my classroom everyday. But I'm sure it will.

We added a new kitten to our family yesterday. A girl that's mostly white with some calico mixed in on her tail and face that my daughter has named Ellie. I haven't taken any pics yet, but when I do I'll post them. Last night, Ellie stayed in my daughter's room and I think I heard the phrase "she'll sleep in the laundry room tonight" being said this morning. Ha! :) She is a playful thing, and I can tell she's never been outside 'cause she doesn't like the grass. But she'll learn to like it. She's going to go outside when she's bigger than the mice and moles. She's got a job to do!

A More Positive Outlook

I knew that if I posted all those thoughts, it would help.

I've decided to get better. Life is what it is, and I'm supposed to grow through it. Growing hurts. It also helps that I spilled my guts to my best friend. :) Don't you just love best friends?

Now I can look forward to the end of this week: watching March Madness. Yes, it is truly amazing. My beloved MS State Bulldogs made it in to the NCAA tourney and we play Thursday afternoon at 3:55 pm (my time). I will not be on the computer until after they win, nor will I answer my phone, nor will any conversation steer me away--I will watch the entire game.

I say this because one Sunday, I was determined to do all my house work before company arrives prior to the Duke/UNC game so I could sit down and watch that game. Ask me how much of the game I actually saw.

None. Zero. Nada.

I will watch MSU play, I will watch MSU play, I will watch MSU play....

Me and My Wars

It's been so long since I posted that I wanted to check in.

But my emotional state is not good right now. So, I'm not sure this is the time to "check in". But these little threads of thought keep going through my mind and I wonder what I would write if I took the time to put them "on paper".

I am angry. But I'm trying not to be. Inside, I'm sure I look like a 3 year old trying so desperately to get her way, but a very patient, soft-spoken adult is telling me "no" and then walking away. Ugh! I can't stand that!

So that leads to feeling indifferent. Whatever. I don't care. You're gonna get your way anyway, so why try and fight it? Why want something that I'm never gonna get. Why get my hopes up that there's a sliver of hope, only for it to be dashed and I'm left wanting.

Which leads to the logical conclusion that it would all work out so perfectly if I just wanted what you wanted. 'Cause then I'd get it. Right? Wrong. 'Cause you change your mind. And any plans that I might have made in my head are, again, dashed and I'm left standing there floored. You gotta be kidding me. OR, or I just can't bring myself to want what you want, so I'm back to being angry.

So what to do?? What to do?? What to do??

My natural inclination is to run. Run away. I can't do that, or I would have already. I don't really know where to go. Next? Spend money. Go shopping. Haven't ruled that one out yet.

Now the house is quiet and nobody is here but me. I can finally do whatever the heck I want. What do I want to do? Whatever. I don't care.

Sigh.

At least the sun's shining. I hear that it's good for depression.

WE MADE IT!!!

Ok, I've been busy with the end of our season and trying to stay one step ahead in the classroom.

But the big news is.....WE MADE IT BACK TO NORTH STATE!!! I cannot tell you how estatic I am! One glance by the casual fan would have us already done with our season, but I tell you, the girls pulled a huge game out last Tuesday night!

Needless to say, we all screamed like little girls and jumped up and down and screamed some more! With about 30 seconds left to go in the game, I knew we had it and it was all I could do not to run out on the court.

We lost a very ugly game on Thursday night by 1 point that would have us in the District Championship Game today, so we're playing for the 3 seed this afternoon. I hope the girls are rested enough to play their best this afternoon.

Hopefully I can get an update on here sooner rather than later. Coveting your prayers for a good game today.....

Checking In

Hey, Happy New Year to ya!!

Our Christmas holidays were so welcomed this year! :) I wish it could have been longer, but.....oh, well. First semester teaching down, one to go. I have to say that this first week back has gone very smooth, and that makes me give a huge sigh of relief.

Basketball is movin'! I certainly meant to put my schedule on my sidebar, but just haven't had the time. I am so excited about my JV girls this year. Last year, we only one 2 ballgames the entire season due to our lack of experience, but what a difference a year makes!! I hear it every time we play one of our district teams: y'all have improved soooo much! I just smile and say, yeah, we have. We are 8-3, (8 wins and 3 losses) with one of our losses coming in during a preseason tourney where we played a bigger school. The other two losses are to the same district team, so I'll have to figure out how we can beat them when the year-end tournament comes at the end of January. We have one more team in our district to play, and then we will have played everyone and I'll have a better understanding of where we'll fall for the year. I am so proud of them!

The varsity girls are certainly holding their own. We haven't won as many as we did last year, but we lost 3 key players and are just now finding our groove with a new team. Unfortunately, our starting point guard hurt her right thumb (which is very important since that is her shooting hand!) last night in the game and more during practice today. She went to the dr and now is wearing a brace and can't play in our district game tomorrow night. Big Bummer! I'm scrambling in my brain as to what to do. Sigh. Good news is that we don't think she broke it. Her x-rays were sent off for review and we should know tomorrow the status of her thumb. I'm so proud of these girls because, while we're losing, we're losing by 1 or 2 and they are beginning to understand what each other does and how each other thinks. That's what a team does, and it is so neat to be front and center as that unfolds. I'm just really hoping that it's going to help us go far in the playoffs that start in early February for them.

Other than that, I'm wrestling with the familiar what-I-want-to-do vs. what-God-wants-me-to-do battle that goes on with everybody. I'm trying to stay focused and not listen to my inner voice that says to stay in the bed every morning. :) Somehow, I've managed to make it this far without truly running out of clothes to wear, and the house hasn't fallen down due to neglect. Now, our cat? That's another story. He sure is glad to see us when we get home. :) I intend on loving on him alot once the season is over and I get home before dark.

Speaking of dark, it's about that time now. Bed time. 'Cept I have to study up on Revelation for my juniors a bit. Now there's a good time--answering questions from 17 year olds about how the world's really going to end!!

Checking Off That To-Do List

It's been a productive week.

I finally got to dust my furniture. I haven't dusted since we moved in on July 31st. I know, I know. :) But, hey, it was only an inch thick. That's really not bad for 4 months. Is it?!?

My laundry is caught up. Yes!! We now have clean underwear AND socks. No more picking which one is more important.

My 3-week grade slips are done and waiting to be passed out on Monday. I'm almost done with the next 3 weeks of lesson plans. Whew!

I've loaded my iPod shuffle with the Carpenter's Christmas and some Earth, Wind and Fire, Phil Collins, and Casting Crowns. What a combo! ;) Nothing like going from O Come, O Come Emmanuel to Boogie Wonderland. Ha!

My tree is up and my table is set for the season. Pictures hopefully coming soon.

And, last but certainly not least, my side of the garage is cleaned out girls!!! My dh did the best job this morning, and NOW I CAN PARK INSIDE THE GARAGE!! {{Giddy with joy!}} Wa-hoo!!

I think I can go on. Some weight has been lifted, I tell ya.