Stress

I have a genetic disease that I've had pretty much my entire life. It's not debilitating or life-threatening. It IS incredibly annoying. There is not medicine to cure it, only treat it and it doesn't really get any better after treatment anyway.

Why am I telling you this you ask?
Good question.

Because outside life situations affect this issue, stress being a main one. So even if I didn't already know, I can tell this first week back to work has been stressful, just because of major flare ups that are annoying and, at times, painful.

We're Back!

All the teachers were back to work today! I never sleep soundly the night before we go back (b/c I'm scared of waking up late!) so I was at school at 6:00am! Lots of catching up! It was great to see everyone AND I feel like I accomplished a lot in my classroom, too. I'm not sure I'm ready for a new year, but I guess it's here!

I've tried to enter this year with a slightly different mindset on somethings. One being I'm not going to stay late all the time. There is always work to do and there will always be work to do. Staying late will not get it all done. So, I'm not going to do it anymore! I left at 3:15 today (right on time) and am pleased with the start of breaking the habit!

Reasons 501 and 502 to stay away from Wal-Mart

I'm not a fan of Wal-Mart and really haven't ever been. When I was young, I didn't know why my parents didn't like it (therefore I didn't like it), but now I completely understand.

Reason #501 to NOT shop at Wal-Mart
In all my car repair last weekend, I was told I needed a new car battery. Some friends told me they could put it in for me, so I declined the installation fees and headed to Wal-Mart. As I check out with my really heavy battery, the cashier tells me he has to charge me an extra $9 fee which will be refunded when I bring the old battery back in. I think that's stupid, but he states its a state law so I go along with it. (For those of you getting ready to explain to me the reasoning here, I already get it. I was planning on taking my battery to a recycling plant. I didn't really want to go back to Wal-Mart!)

The battery is replaced and the old one wrapped in a black trash bag until I can lug it back to Wal-Mart. Well, I didn't realize this needed to happen pronto! When I drove up a few days later and tried to carry in the old battery, acid had leaked out, shredded the garbage bag and dripped all over me in the process. Not so much fun.

It takes awhile to find a Wal-Mart employee that is willing to carry the battery for me, but finally I do and stand in line for my $9. At the tire lube check-out, she initials my receipt and sends me to Customer Service.
Seriously? You can't just give me the 9 bucks here!? Keep in mind I haven't been able to find a bathroom yet and my hands and shins are red, raw and irritated from battery acid. I realize this part is my own doing, but since I thought that $9 fee was stupid and am already slightly aggravated with Wal-Mart anyway, I blame this on them too just because I can. There is no line at Customer Service (miracle of miracles!) and my $9.74 was credited to my credit card (yes, I said $9.74. They charged TAX on the fee. How dumb is that!?)


Reason #502 to NOT shop at Wal-Mart
As I was walking up to the Tire Lube Express, I noticed another person walking in about the same time. Not a big deal, just realized I wasn't walking in by myself. This man also stood in line to speak with the cashier. Again, I knew he was there, but kind of like I knew my car was in the parking lot. Something I was aware of, but not paying much attention to.

After I handled my $9.74 credit and scrubbed my hands with soap and water to clean off the acid, I headed back to the Tire Lube Express since my car was parked there. I soon realized this same man is walking in front of me in the same direction. I begin to pay much more attention when he turns around and says,

"I noticed you earlier and find you attractive. Are you married?"

"No, I'm not married." I almost stutter.

"Where is your boyfriend?"

"I don't have one."

"How does that happen?"

"That's just how life works sometimes." as I walk away.

What can I say big, black men like my ghetto booty. ;)
Some of you will understand this comment and some will be confused. Let's just suffice it to say I've had some experience with random men trying very odd (and lame!) pick up lines.

Feeling Old, Anyone?

I've decided I might need to cut back on my caffeine. That makes me feel very old. I mean, seriously. Who does that? Only old people. But lately, I've had trouble sleeping, even when I'm exhausted. I'm a diet coke drinker and have never paid attention to the time while partaking of my favorite beverage. It might by 5pm or 10pm. It just never mattered. I'm thinking now it does. And I don't like it at all.

A Conundrum

I know the word "conundrum" is a part of the title of my blog, but I don't think I've ever actually used it in a blog post.

This past Spring, several teachers were in the news for their myspace pages and facebook accounts. A teacher friend of mine, and fellow blogger, made her blog private due to this very reason. I'm thinking about it and may do the same thing, so be prepared if you come one day and are denied access. In that instance, email me and I'll invite you to read it. I'll probably go through the process some time this week, before returning to work.

Being without a car has its perks. One being that I can't drive anywhere and thus when it is necessary for me to go somewhere, others come and get me. Hey, this saves me gas money. Amusing since the fixing of my car is costing me money, but hey I'm looking for the perks! ;)

I've done quite a bit of cleaning. I pulled out my refrigerator and scrubbed the floor. I learned part of my kitchen cabinet (usually hidden by the fridge) is rotting and called maintenance to come fix it. I took all the pictures and magnets off the fridge and cleaned it thoroughly. I was amused at the Christmas picture duplicates (2006 and 2007) and wedding invitations that were long passed (Kelly and Eric's), but still taking up space. I did some sorting! :)

Laundry is washed, dried AND put away. (This is HUGE for me!)

All furniture but my desk is organized, dusted and cleaned. I'll do my desk tomorrow.

There are some stains on the carpet that need washed. I'm trying to figure out the best way to accomplish this. Maintenance made the spots, so should I have them wash the carpet or just spot the stains myself? Washing the entire apartment's carpet could be annoying and I'm not sure I want to add that to my list of things to do right now.

I've also TOTALLY cleaned my kitchen. Something that doesn't happen often. My kitchen is not large, and the counter space is taken up with the toaster and coffee maker as well as any little odds and ends paperwork that seems to collect. All that is put away now, making my counter seem empty (because it is, but WEIRD!)

Not quite what I had in mind

My car is in the shop. I took it in yesterday for a tune-up and asked them to also run a "courtesy check" (where they check all the fluids, belts, hoses, blah, car-lingo, blah, blah.) A few things popped up, not unexpectedly, and the total bill was just under $1200. I wasn't taken completely unawares, so that wasn't as painful as it could have been.

It was a huge relief to get the car work done, because it had been weighing on my mind as something I wanted to do before I start back to work August 11. I had a breakdown moment Thursday night, in which I literally began balling for practically no reason other than exhaustion and feeling overwhelmed with my "to-do" list of items needing accomplished before August 11. Car work being one of the major items.

Today, my radio went off and my ABS light came on. Huh? What does this mean? I was out and about town and began heading home, while calling a friend of mine asking questions. I then called the shop and they said to bring it in. I stop by my apartment to pick up a book since I was only a block away and sitting in a mechanic's lobby with nothing to do for long periods of time isn't a bowl of cherries. I go back out to my car and...nothing. The engine wouldn't turn over, it wouldn't even click. My brakes locked up, all the lights on the dash would come on, but I practically had zero power. I again call the shop and they sent a tow truck to haul it in. I start cleaning my apartment since the other errands on my list are now not possible.

He just called. The alternator is "gone," the battery is completely dead, but the fuses are good. I asked what this all meant with responsibility of cost and he said he was still looking into it, but wanted to let me know what was going on.

It's 4:04. They close at 5:00. This could get interesting.

** Update as of 5:06. It's my responsibility and it's going to cost me $550. Probably more than that since the battery may not take a charge and will therefore need replaced, too. Here goes my house downpayment.

I want to share

I came across a blog today that touched my life. Angie and Todd Smith are the parents of five daughters, though only three are living with them. The story Angie writes on her blog is beautifully written, though painful to read. She blogged through her most recent pregnancy and has opened her heart to many readers. The Lord has used her in many amazing ways to touch lives.

I encourage you to read the blog, though reading it all in one day as I did, may not be wise.

You'll need a kleenex.