Friday, July 13, 2007

Parallel parking

When did you learn to parallel park? My dad made me learn before I took my driver's test (even though I didn't have to during my test.) I had a 1976 GMC Sierra Classic long bed in high school that I had to learn to parallel park. Trust me, if I can parallel park that thing I can parallel park anything! I just saw this girl, looked to be in her mid 20s, trying to parallel park a minivan in a spot almost twice as big as her van. She tried for about 5 minutes. Then she drove to the end of the street, turned around, and drove straight in to park behind me. At first I thought the space may have been kinda short. But no.....it was huge! It wasn't a complicated park at all! Almost as easy as driving into a space and having to straighten up a little. Why don't people understand how to do these things? I always thought it a basic skill of driving. Guess it's not. I just hope she doesn't have to parallel park when I am one of the cars she is trying to squeeze between. Actually, I shouldn't mind....she will probably give up and find another place to park anyway.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

You never know what you might need!

I hate packing. Why does it always seem you are forgetting something? It is a terrible feeling. I am leaving Saturday for 2 weeks and 2 days. I am also going on a trip within my trip which makes packing all the more difficult. I almost feel like I am moving! Don't worry, I know I moved the last 2 summers but I am only going for a couple of weeks this time :). I think I got the message that this is where I am supposed to be for now. I think I have all my clothes packed. Now, I have no idea what I am going to wear tomorrow because all the clothes I like are packed. I know I have packed too much. Too many clothes and too much stuff because I ascribe to the "you never know what you might need " philosophy. It is amazing how I can still feel I am forgetting something. Besides, it's not like I am not going to the land of Super Wal-mart. If I do forget something I can go at 3:00 in the morning to get it if I want to. Hmmm, I think I will rant about the lack of Super Wal-mart in this area in a blog of it's own. Another hazard of packing....no place to sleep! My bed seems to be covered in things I am packing. Ok, off to pack some more!

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Too Many Hobbies

I know there are others out there with the same problem I have..... too many hobbies. I have probably no less than 20 projects going on right now of different varieties. 2 cross-stitch, 3 paint, make that 4 paint, 3 sewing, 8 crochet blankets, and I am sure I have missed something. Oh yeah, 2 crochet scarves.
I have punished myself....I can't buy any more yarn until I am done with one of the baby blankets I am working on. Not that I need anymore yarn. Or anymore material, or anymore thread, or anymore paint, or wood or canvas....... I also don't need anymore magazines of ideas. But those I always seem to buy.
In 2 weeks I am going to learn yet another handi-craft. I am going with my mom to the Martha Pullen Sewing School. I am going to be learning mostly hand but some machine embroidery. What if I like it?? I don't need another hobby!!! Sigh... You know, I can't understand people that say they are bored and have nothing to do. I don't think I have ever really had that problem. And when I am bored of doing the stuff I am doing I simply just start another project :). Hmmm, maybe that is why I have over 20 projects going. I think my mom should have had me tested for ADD when I was younger. I read somewhere that there are 2 kinds of crafters. One crafts for the joy of finishing something. The other crafts for the process. I am definitely the latter. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy completing a project. But it doesn't bother me in the least that I have a cross-stitch project I started 5 years ago still unfinished. Or a crocheted blanket that has been in the works almost 7 years now. It isn't like I don't ever finish something. I do...I finish a lot of things. I just prefer starting them....haha, Well, I am going to organize a bit and maybe work on something. I promise I won't start something new tonight!

Monday, July 9, 2007

Are those BAGS under my eyes?

Looking in the mirror this evening I noticed huge bags under my eyes. I can't figure out why though. I have gotten plenty of sleep this week. I can't say I have been under any stress, I mean after all it is summer. I just feel tired and old this week and looking in the mirror just made it even worse! Maybe a good nights rest in my bed will do me good. Actually, come to think of it, it isn't my bed....it is the Sergio's. But I don't think they would mind me saying my bed in passing...lol. Maybe I have bags because I figured out this past week that I will be 90 before I can afford to buy 708 sq ft condo. By then it will probably cost about $800,000. You think I am exaggerating? It already costs $212,000. IMPOSSIBLE! How am I suppose to exist here on HALF the average income of Fairfax County? HUH???? Sorry Ellyn, I might end up retiring....still living in your basement. Can someone please explain to me why someone that will be making almost $50,000 next school year can't afford to buy a one bedroom 708 sq. ft. condo? The payments were going to be almost 60% of my salary....my whole salary, not just my take home. I hope grad school is the answer. Wait....why am I up here anyway? Oh yeah...I TRIED to move.....TWICE!!! I guess it still doesn't answer why but it seems to be where God wants me to be. Each time I came back to something even better. First I got a job in Fairfax County and then the second time I was promoted to department chair. Ok, now I am rambling and I am sure those bags are getting deeper and darker. I will sleep now dreaming I have a rich uncle that is desperately searching for me to bestow all of his wealth on :)

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Boys Stink

Literally....they stink. I have been stuck in a middle school boys locker room all day! There hasn't been a child in there since June 16th but it STILL smells. It is also amazing how many kids left there deodorant (not to mention PE uniforms, nice shirts, jeans and $100 shoes.) I don't think they ever used it. I am just glad my office is in the girl's locker room. I have at least one more day in it and then I go to another boy's locker room. In case you're wondering why...I have to put locks on the lockers and record where they are. It's not a glamorous job but someone has to do it.
Oh, still loving the iPhone!

Monday, July 2, 2007

On a soap box

I just went to the bank. After 10 minutes in line without moving AT ALL I gave up and left. Thing is it is always like that where I bank; at every branch. I rarely ever spend less than 15 minutes even when I go to the drive-thru. They are the SLOWEST people I have ever seen AND there are usually only 2 tellers, 1 at the drive-thru and one in the lobby...maybe 2 in the lobby. Now I normally don't complain about things but I used to work at a bank and I know it doesn't take that long to do a transaction. Either the people are just that slow or the system they are using is archaic. I am seriously thinking of changing banks on this fact alone. I have banked with them for a long time and haven't had any problems with them but when I go to the bank I expect to see more than 2 tellers and I don't expect to spend half my day in there. By the way, the bank I am referring to is Bank of America. I think I am going to write a letter or call to complain but I don't know to whom. I have another soap box I want to stand on too but I'll save it for later. It is a bit more controversial than banking.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Day 2 with the iPhone...

YEA!!!! I had 2 people comment on my first blog!! You don't know how happy that makes me :D I realize that I don't know the people out there that actually have blogs, I just know they exist. So if you have one please let me know.
It is official....Sammie Young is the Godfather of my iPhone. I still love it. I know most people don't get it....and that's okay with me.
For some insane reason I am working at school tomorrow and the whole week....and next week. Well except for the 4th when I will be floating down the lazy river :). AHHHH....I can't wait!
Right now it is time to pay bills. Good Ole Dave Ramsey will help me through it though. All I need to do is find a cool way to do my "envelope system." The Financial Peace nerds will know what I am talking about. I can't seem to find a system I like. Coupon holders don't really fold out right for me and they have vegetables on them or they are these huge over-sized things. The one that is included in the Financial Peace University is so uncool. I think I need to create one and then market it to Dave and have him offer it. Good idea? I'll take any suggestions regarding its creation. What would you like to see included in a compact envelope system? My brain is already scheming.