Updates...

I'm a terrible blogger...I'd nearly forgotten about this... It's been in the back of mind, but that corner is becoming very crowded.

I think I've taken on too many things. I was home yesterday with absolutely nowhere to go (plenty to do, though), but felt completely unmotivated to do any of the things that needed to be accomplished. I was perfectly content to watch Tate wiggle on the floor and even listen to him fuss--a rarity for him, but something he's doing more of lately.

So, now I sit here at nearly 10:30 on Sunday night, another week of school looming ahead, midterm grades due by 3:00 tomorrow afternoon--with nothing accomplished for the coming week. Luckily this is a slow week--Monday evening, grocery shopping; Tuesday evening, volleyball game and my Mom's birthday dinner (late night, of course); Wednesday evening, Weight Watchers meeting (hoping to hit the 30 pound mark); Thursday evening, tutoring; Friday evening, so far nothing planned; Saturday afternoon, Tupperware party in Lincoln, Sunday, winding down and starting another busy week.

On a completely unrelated note, Ben starts a new job tomorrow morning. For those of you who didn't know, Ben lost his job the weekend before Labor Day. Luckily his period of unemployment was short-lived and included a few days of substitute teaching as well. He's beginning his training as an Account Manager for National Rent to Own tomorrow. He'll be driving to Decatur for 2 weeks for his initial training, then he'll be working at the store in Mattoon.

As for Tate, we're continuing the solid foods. The only thing we've discovered he just simply doesn't like is squash. His little tongue just pushes it right back out. He's getting so big, so fast! I'm a terrible mom, as I've had no time lately to take ANY pictures of him. He's taking fewer bottles and I feel like I never get to hold him anymore. In fact, it makes me want to go in and pick him up from his crib just to cuddle him while he sleeps.

As for me, school is hectic as usual for this time of year. My students are, well...the same as always. Some are surprising me with how well they are doing and others with how little they are doing... Such is life...

More later...but who knows how much later...

Random thoughts...

So this is what this blog is all about, right? So here goes.

First, I started tutoring one of my students who is homebound this semester--she's having a baby in November (if she makes it that long) and has been put on bed rest. Unfortunate, but she's doing fairly well--bored, but healthy. She is doing amazing! Not only is she determined to stay current on all her assignments, I think she may even get ahead in some classes! I have this student in 3 classes, including my yearbook class. Since our ad sales campaign is in the fall, she is selling her ads over the phone--and doing great! She rocks...I'm quite proud of all she is accomplishing right now. Hoping she can get ahead so she is able to take a short break when she has Ella.

The first full week of school is over now--not too bad either. I have some pretty good kids this year. I'm still adjusting to life with very few freshmen (has been too tough...) and a schedule full of seniors--definitely a change for me. So far, they're not too bad. Ask me that again in 6 months when they all have senioritis and I'm sure you'll get a completely different response.

Tupperware is going fairly well, just closed 3 parties today, have 2 coming up in September, but I'm always looking for more--let me know if you want to earn some free stuff. The entire reason I started this business in the first place was to help offset some daycare costs--so far, I'm breaking even. Hope I can continue that. Wish me luck!

Speaking of daycare--Did i mention that I have a great sitter?! She is awesome--Tate has done so well with her! I'm so glad I found her!

I'm thinking thats about all I'm thinking right now...but I'm sure more will come soon...hopefully some will involve pictures...its looking a little boring...

First "Week" of School

So, it's over...Our first week back to school. I guess you can call it that--we really only had 1 full day of classes, but I'm going to count it. I have never felt so unprepared for a year to begin! I knew that Tate would take up quite a large amount of my time, but never imagined I'd go in for the first day of work without having done more than 3 or 4 hours of preparing since I left.

I've also discovered that I was never destined to be a stay-at-home mother. I've been ready to return to work for about a month and a half. A 4 1/2 month maternity leave may be great for some, but apparently I require much more adult interaction than I was getting.

My classes don't seem to bad so far. I've got a few that a probably going to push it to see how far they can get (some every year). But, for the first time is 6 years, I have a schedule that is NOT predominantly freshmen. I think I have 8 or 9 all day. In some ways, this is a pleasant change--in others, not so pleasant. As the yearbook advisor, it is typically more helpful if I can identify the people in pictures...this could prove challenging--but I'm up for it!

Overall, I'm looking forward to what I feel is going to be a pretty good year. I'm jumping in with both feet tomorrow, with lofty goals of finishing chapters and giving tests/quizzes by Friday already. We'll see how long that optimism lasts!

For everyone else returning to school this week (or just recently). Have a happy and safe year! Best of luck!

Firsts...

Today was Ben's first experience with feeding Tate cereal and fruit...apparently this morning's feeding did not go nearly so well as this evening. Let me just say--I've never seen Tate this excited about food. Now if anywhere near as much as was on his face made it to his stomach that would make it even better. I think nearly every part of his face got a little bit of cereal and pears. I guess that's why we bathe at night!

We're 5 days in to this cereal thing and so far so good. Definitely more fond of fruit than veggies, but we eat the veggies, too! (We've only tried green beans so far--thought I'd start with something more basic and work up to sweet potatoes and squash) I'm determined to get Tate to eat and like fruits and veggies like me. Hopefully he won't be as particular as Ben when it comes to fruits and veggies!

Inspiration

As I head back to school for another year--my sixth--I'm in search of inspiration. Anything that inspires me to try something new is my focus.

Lately, money has been tight so I've started to do more cooking at home and I'm quickly tiring of the same old ordinary recipes I'm comfortable with. Obviously there's nothing wrong with barbequed chicken or pork, but I'm looking for variety these days!

So, in the spirit of the movie Julie and Julia I've decided to cook my way through some (probably not all) of the dishes I find on various blogs, including those of some friends and family, as well as branch out and try some new dishes I discover elsewhere. Who knows? Maybe I'll start inventing dishes of my own.

If you have any suggestions for dishes that I just must try, please let me know.