Christmas 2010

We have had a wonderful holiday. A few weeks before Christmas we went to my cousin Lorie's house to decorate her tree, and found out that in rural Kentucky, the local fire department brings Santa to the neighborhoods to give out presents to all the kids. We just happened to be there at the right time on the right day. We heard the sirens, Lorie sent the girls out, and the truck stopped in front of her house so the girls could see Santa and get a gift. They received paper bags with fruit and candy. It was amazing. Ali was absolutely enchanted.



















































This year Ali was Mary in the Christmas pagent. Caden, a friend from Vacation Bible School who is not normally in church was Joseph (I sent his mom a message asking if he could be in it, it turned out wonderfully) and his baby sister Chasedyn was Jesus. Ali sang a solo, with Sarah Beth, Lorie's daughter accompyning her on paino. She sang "Come Little Children" quite beautifully; I am so proud of her.























































After the pagent on Christmas Eve we headed to Lorie's house. This is the second year in a row we have spent it with her, and I can't imagine a better way here in Kentucky to spend it. Alison and Sarah are both only children, so they LOVE having another child around on Christmas morning to open presents with and play with. The funniest thing is every time I went upstairs to Sarah's room on Christmas day or the day after, they girls were at seperate ends of the room doing seperate things. They are very independent, but just love being able to say "Hey! Look at this!" and have someone there to run over. Lorie and her husband David are amazing hosts; I had a wonderful time stuffing stockings, then unstuffing them the next morning. We had crock-pot french toast for breakfast, a wonderful turkey dinner, tea, coffee, snacks, a wild game of Clue, many many games of Bingo and before we left Sunday night Lorie treated up to the one and only southern dish Hot Browns. Although we could have stayed longer, and I know Lorie would have loved to have had us longer, I really wanted to go while Ali and Sarah were still having a great time, before they got tired of one-another. It worked magically.

This Christmas we were able to take advantage of Skype. While opening presents we were able to see and talk to my Papa, then my sister, her husband my nieces and my Dad, then finally my Mom, Step-dad, sister, Nana and my nephew. It was wonderful.

I was fortunate to have toda off as well. I was able to clean the house (quite needed) and relax with Ali. I am back to work tomorrow for a short week, T-TH, then another long weekend. I don't know what I'll do when I have to work a full week again.

Merry Christmas.

Weekly update

In an effort to update this on a regular basis, here is a weekly update...

Ali has had all kinds of good news this week. First, she got a dancing part in her school's winter show. Since her school is an arts integration school, the winter and sprng shows are HUGE. The entire school participates, mainly singing and doing hand motions / dance in place. A few kids (normally under 10) act out the story on stage, and then a few others (under 20) perform choreographed dances (in costume) on stage. She'll be on stage dancing. I have to say, I love Ashley Oldham, the dance and drama teacher. She chooses kids who have talent, but also kids who are all around good kids. At a Title 1 school where there are a lot of troubled kids who are somewhat coddled to (in an effort to turn them around before it is too late), being rewarded for being a good kid is fantastic.

Ali also found out today that she is going to be Mary in the Christmas Pagent at church. It is a pretty big deal. Again, she got the part not only because she can read and memorize and will do good, but because she is at church every Sunday, she participates in Sunday School (the Deacon has commented a few times on how deep she is) and she is always willing to fill in and acolyte when it is needed. Although I think all of these things are crucial for her upbringing and would have it no other way, her being rewarded for it is nice.

I have managed to completely mess up my back. I have a feeling it from doing push-ups and sit-ups wrong. At first it was between my shoulder blades, I stopped doing the push-ups and sit-ups and it was better after a few days. But then my lower back kicked in. I have hurt my lower back before, luckily this time it hasn't completely gone out on me. It hurts to move, to sit, pretty much anything. I am taking strong Naproxin and doing my best to rest it. I am considering trying to see a Chiropractor. I have to see if m new insurance covers it

Lacking

Someone who cares about me told me that I will find a guy as soon as I stop looking. Did I mention that this person is married? It is easy for her to say. I think it is probably closer to you find them, then stop looking, it just seems when you are looking back that it was the other way around. There are guys around, two in particular, but not really what I am looking for. One is "in love with me", texts me, wants to be my boyfriend, marry me, have a family. But I can't trust him. He has lied to me in the past, and I just refuse to be with someone I can't trust. The other guy, I like him; he's driven, putting himself through school, has a good job and is ina pretty high poistion for his age. He has a daughter a year younger than Ali who he is dedicated to, he owns a house. But, he's 25 (argh!) and just not in the same place I am. Although he texts me all the time (I guess that is the new talking on the phone) and I really enjoy talking to him, and did I mention is he gorgous? He just isn't where I am. So I am back to here. Saturday evening, watching a movie at home, probably in bed by 10. Sigh.

It has really been this long? I have to admit it has been a long and trying year. Things are once again in order; I have a good job, even benefits this time. We are in a pretty good place, but it has been so long since I have updated. Here is the last 9 months(ish)










Roller derby - still doing it. Still loving it. There's my helmet with the witch on it. Above a group shot (although missing quite a few people) and below my picture for the programs. I have been nominated for a Board of Directors position. Elections are next week.

Opening day for the Lexington Legends at Applebee park. Kind of crappy weather, but we had a fantastic time. Ali was even on TV during the 7th inning stretch helping lead "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"

At the pool with her friend Mesara.

We went to Herrington Lake a few times. That is Ali and Sarah (Lorie's daughter) getting some serious air tubing. Ali LOVES tubing now. What a difference a year makes!

Girl Scout camp! And by Girl Scout camp, I mean OVERNIGHT Girl Scout camp! Alison did two sessions of overnight camp, the first a 3 day one called "Caving Critters", the following week a 5 day one called "Pony Tails". She absolutely adored camp, did not want to come home. She now knows a whole bunch of camp songs that Julie and I learned growing up, plus a few of her own. She also has all kinds of fantastic little camp stories and traditions. Se slept in a platform tent and went to the bathroom in a latrine!

In the hay loft at the Preston's Farm in Nicholasvile. We had a wonderful gathering there hosted by the Prestons. Ali got to spend som etime with the Preston boys Sam and Charlie (not shown) and see a whole other side of them. You can't tell from the picture, but she was pretty high up in the hay loft. You can tell a little from the jump down (most kids climbed down, she chose to jump!)

update update update

I have been substiute teaching and I love it. I have worked every day, I have been to about half the schools. Starting tomorrow I have a full week assignment at one of the High Schools; I am looking forward to going to the same place every day! I am hoping it will get me in the schools for the next school year. I am definately making great contacts.

Next Saturday Ali and I are flying out to Boston for spring break. I am really excited to be going back out there! I am hoping to go check out the Boston Derby Dames' practice, and I am looking forward to going to our old church in Peabody (and possibly Easter).

Today Alison acolyted for the first time at church. I was so proud. She wasn't scheduled but we did have acolyte group in the morning and when the opening presented itself she took it. She did a fantastic job.

teaching

What I didn't mention in my last post is that I was laid-off AGAIN. Argh! I had Monday off, I was laid off Tuesday morning. This time I didn't panic. My bills are paid, I have some money in my bank acocunt and tax season is coming up.

Being laid-off again got me to thinking. This is the second office job I have had since teaching. I can do books, I am pretty good at doing books, but I HATE it. I hate being in the office all day, I hate having little interaction with people and I hate having a job where I feel like I make no difference. So, I have decided to get back into teaching. It isn't that easy. My teaching license is not valid in KY. I am going to have to take more classes or get my Master's degree in order to hold a KY license. HOWEVER, I can get an emergency license for subbing. IF I can find a full time job, I can get a temporary license and teach while I take the classes needed for my KY license. So I finished my paperwork to sub here in Lexington. I should be eligible to start subbing next week. I am hopeful that as I sub I can get my name and rep (as a fantastic teacher) out there. I can make contacts and hopefully find a job teaching. I read this fantastic quote on facebook, I think it has always applied to me, but especially now.

"Sometimes you have to jump off cliffs and grow wings on the way down." - Ray Bradbury

Derby derby derby

I am totally in love with roller derby. A few months ago I joined the league here in Lexington, Roller Girls for Central Kentucky (ROCK). I went to meetings to learn about the rules and regs and how the game is played. I attended practices and learned to lay the track, time the bouts and run the penalty box. In order to skate I needed full gear including skates, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, mouth guard and helmet. All in all it takes about $400 to get a good set together; something that has been WAAAAAAY out of my reach. Still I went and watched and learned. I got to know all of the members, amazing women who I love dearly. I know them all by their derby names, so I now have friends with al kinds of crazy names; Bjoink, Ragdoll Ruby, Rainbow Smite, Ellie Slay, Ryder Die, Sue Ture, Jessie Maims, Speedy Jenkins, Paralethal, Sugar Shock, Sharon Moonshine, Kitty O'Doom, Junk Drawer, Boom Boom. December I officially joined he league, paid my $30.00 dues. At that time, Ragdoll gave me her old helmet to use and Paralethal lent me her outdoor skates! I bought the rest of the gear (I got the cheap knee pads, good ones to come later) and got on the rink! Saturday was actually my first real practice, I caved in and got the cheap knee pads so I could get in the action. I love it! I am slow and I know it will be a long long time before I am bout-ready, but I love it. I am sore and bruised and love every minutes of it. The other day I told the vets "I don't mind hurting, I don't mind falling, but I hate sucking." They all insisted I don't suck (I know I do) but I know I will get better with time. After 3 months I get to register my name on the official derby site, my derby name is Salem Slammah, although I think I may just stick with Salem. Everyone calls me Salem, I think may just stick with it. Once I get some good pictures and we get our new website up I will definately post them and a link!

New job

I am once again gainfully employed!!! I interviewed on Wednesday the 11th a company called Vital gear here in Lexington. It was a customer service with Peachtree knowledge. The interview went well, but I was concerned about the pay, it was much lower than I had been making. They told me they would start me off low, then revisit it every few months with the goal of me being up to what I was making by next year. YIKES! But, I needed a job. They offered me the job that weekend, starting the week of Thanksgiving. Monday morning they called and asked me if I could start Tuesday. I showed up Tuesday ready to work! The company makes sights and grips for bows and rifles. Ben the owner has the patents on all of the products we sell, he designed them all. His wife Maria was doing pretty much everything else and was completely overwhelmed. They have been in business since 96 I believe, but moved to KY from ID a few years back. I started working closely with Maria taking over a lot of the bookkeeping. Maria was impressed with my knowledge of Peachtree and bookkeeping and was very happy with my work! Tuesday Ben took me aside and told me that after talking to Maria, I don't need a training period and bumped me up $2/hr. He told me that we will meet in January for a review and probable raise, then again in April. Thursday Ben, Maria and I met and discussed more of the responsibilities they want me to take over. I am going to be taking over AP and AR on top of all of the bookkeeping, I will also be setting up and takaing care of the new company they are starting, and they are hoping to send me to some trade shows next year. I really like this job, and I love the people I am working for! Ben and Maria have a daughter who is an Opera major at UK, Arianna, and a son who is a year younger than Ali, Everest. This is a family business and I am excited about my future with them! You can check out our website here!

Brownies!!!

Alison had her investiture ceremony for Brownies this past week! It was fantastic! They had to pick a woman to honor, someone who has taught them how to a good person. Alison picked Tabitha, a friend who babysat her after school last year. Tabitha didn't know she was being honored by Ali, she just knew she was invited. Tabitha has been super busy in her new job as director of a home health agency, but made time to come to the ceremony. Boy was she surprised!







This is the opening ceremony, Ali's leader Mrs Baniak is in maroon. She is FANTASTIC. We love Mrs Baniak!

Here is Ali reading what she wrote about Tabitha. Tabitha started crying.

Here is Ali reading part of the Girl Scout Law and then her and Tabitha lighting candle.

Above is Ali's friend Kally reading her paper about her aunt, and Ali watching.

Here is Ali getting her Brownie pin. I cried.

Here's Kally getting her pin

update

Wow, I have gotten pretty horrible at updating this! The not-so-good-news; I was laid-off a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, I worked for a small privately owned company, and when the times got tough instead of tightening the belts, they cut-cut-cut. I had thought they were great people who would take care of me, but I was wrong. As soon as I got the news I went to sign up for a Nurses Aide class. I was a CNA in college, and there are 3 major hospitals in Lexington, so it just made sense. Unfortunately it cost $500, which was a steep price to pay with my income coming to an end. I was out of work for a week then started the 2 week intensive class. I had applied for unemployment in the mean-time, but was dealt a rough blow with that. Since I was taking a class full-time for two weeks (to get a job) I was denied unemployment. I can't understand this. If I were to sit in my butt and do nothing, I am eligible for unemployment. If I take a class to get a job, I am not. To make matters worse, three of the girls in my class were taking it through unemployment. Unemployment paid for them to take the class. When I asked about this at the unemployment office I was told that there was a process I had to go through in order to do this. Since I didn't sit on my butt and wait for the checks to roll in before I signed up for the class, I lose out. What made it all the more insulting was going to the unemployment office after doing clinical all day, still in my scrubs, tired and hungry, only to watch people walk in, high-five their friends and talk on their phones about getting their money. Argh! However, I finished my class yesterday and am now a CNA. I have to take the state boards to become a State Registered Nurse's Aide, but I have already started the job hunt. I actually started the job hunt as soon as I was let go, but now I have kicked it into full speed. I applied to 7 jobs yesterday, I already have one interview next week (not CNA related). This has been a hard couple of weeks for me, but hopefully it will be over soon! I hate worrying about money, I hate not having any, but I always seem to fund a way to make ends meet.

On the happier side, I joined the local roller derby league; Rollergirls Of Central Kentucky (or ROCK). I joined just before I lost my job, but it really has been a God-send since. The girls on the team are amazing, I have found a fantastic group of women who I get to see at practice and get away from all the stress of the job hunt. I am not skating yet, I don't have the money to get my equipment and skates, but I go to the practices, help set up the track, learn the game and he rules and watch it all. I have a derby name - Salem Slammah, and I think my number is going to be 93. I am eager to get my gear and get on the floor. It such a fantastic way to escape everything going on! Alison loves it, not only are there other kids to play with (many single moms on the team), but it is like she just inherited 10 aunts (even if they do have crazy names). The women come from every walk of life and background; Junk Drawer is a math TA at UK, Rainbow Smite runs the honors program at UK, Ellie Slay is a patent rep at UK, Sharon Moonshine is a real estate agent, Bitty Bastard has a son who just turned 27, Kitty O'Doom works at UK, Jessie Maims is a student at Translyvania and Ragdoll Ruby is a skate rep. There are two other Ashland Moms on the team, Bjoink has a 5th grader and Scare-a has a kindergartener and is on the PTA with me! I will post some pictures when I get them.

Alison is doing amazing. She has one of the strictest teachers at Ashland, and is of course flourishing. At first she was scared, but once we talked to the teacher and she got to know her, she just loves it. She is reading well above her grade level, her teacher said about a 4th-8th grade level, and her math scores are even higher! She loves the after-school program. During my CNA class I was getting out early and was able to pick her up early. She asked me to stop coming early. She is in Brownies and LOVES it. A born Girl Scout just like the rest of the women in the family. She is old enough to acolyte at church. She hasn't served yet, but she goes to the trainings and will be soon! As for the trainings, the acolyte leader at the church had to go back to work because of the economy, and our minister asked my cousin Lorie and I to "help out" (take over). Lorie is actually my mom's cousin, but she loves to have family in the area and has really taken care of me, and her daughter Sara is a few years older than Alison and they are very close.

I will try to be a little better at updating this in the future! Here are some pictures of Ali...

Here is Alison and Sara in a hot-air balloon gondola at our church festival. They were unable to actually go up in it because it got dark out, but they got to watch it get inflated and then get into the gondola.

I love this picture. This is Ali and Charlie, a boy from church in the gondola. They were sitting in there when they fired up the flame to heat the air in the balloon. The look on their faces is priceless.

This is Alison with some of the acolytes and our Bishop, Stacy Sauls at an acolyte event. Top row; Lauryn, Bishop Sauls, Kaelyn, bottom row; Emily, Alison and Erica

Ali in her Brownie uniform!

Ali carving a pumpkin. She did all of the work this Halloween!!

Work

Wow! Have I really not mentioned work?? Last real mention of work was when I was still a temp at Yazaki. They had to let me go, last one hired, first one to go, but I had done such a great job they kept me until the temp agency found a new position for me. The position they found was as a bookkeeper for Energy Sports and Fitness Management Company. I started there in February learning Peachtree and working my butt off to get everything right. I did the books two of our clubs and the management company. Time progressed, I was handed another company to handle. Finally in June I was made permanent. Within the last 2 months since I was made permanent I was given the other gym's books, the restaurant which the president and gym owners own's books and the title controller. Now I am beyond busy. I work straight through the day, usually eating lunch at my desk. It is a fantastic company, there are only 7 of us at the most in the office, although normally only about 4, some days just me. Of the 7, we actually handle quite a few companies so it can get crazy! As much as I still do miss my students and teaching, I like the business and responsibility of my new job!

ch-ch-ch-changes

It has been three months since I have updated this. Wow. More over, the last two weeks have been double wow. I have a hard time believing it has only been two weeks. Two weeks ago Jeff broke up with me. I don't know why, I don't know what happened, I doubt I ever will. He had sold the truck and took the car he had given me. I was heart-broken, devastated. I walked to the hotel near the house where I spent the weekend a broken mess. I was determined that by the time Alison came back from MA on that Thursday I would have a car, an apartment and be ok. The first few days were hard, taking a taxi to and from work, having a hard time concentrating on anything, crying at the drop of a hat, but I slowly worked out of it. I opened a bank account, then looked at cars. Jeff told me he was moving to a new apartment, so I decided to keep the old one. I bought a car, and by Thursday when my mom, Nana, Katie and Ali came back I picked up my new car, knew where I was living and was ok. Sunday Jeff moved out of the apt and I moved in. I have been cleaning and arranging after work each day, Mom, Nana and Katie headed back to MA on Tuesday, Ali started 2nd grade on Wednesday. Today I slept late, then met Jeff to give him the rest of his and Julianna's stuff left in the apartment, the cable guy came and set up the cable, phone and internet, then we did laundry and went to the pool. It was a nice day, and amazingly it has only been 2 weeks!

The Beach House

Saturdy evening we went to my cousin Lorie's boat house on Lake Herrington. What an amazing place! We had a fantastic night, we didn't want to leave!

On our way there as we were driving through gorgous Kentucky countryside, we saw this foal. He couldn't have been more than a few days old. We pulled over to look, mommy and daddy were very protective, not at all happy that we even pulled over, but we just snapped a few pictures and headed off.

Look at that sweet face!
In the directions from Lorie, once you pull onto the road, she put "look out for cows in the road." We thought it was a joke. Then we saw this:
Then this: The buckshot definately adds to the authenticity!

Next thing we know, there are cows on ether side of us, and no fences! There are things in the road called "cow fences", they are grate like things that go across the road and are about 3 feet wide, I guess the cows can't cross them. Jeff decided he wanted to pat the cows. He stopped the truck and got out and stated to walk slowly over to the nearest cow, talking nice and soothingly. The cow wasn't fooled, he must have smelled the beef from his last burger in his system, cause he backed away and took off! I turn around just in time to see this behind us!

This is Lorie and Dave's boat house and dock from the patio, which is about halfway between he house and the lake

And here is the house from jut below the patio (you can see the patio). Amazing!

And there is my hot boyfriend on the patio on the way up to the porch.

My favorite picture from the day. Alison and Sarah Beth (Lorie and Dave's daughter) fishing at the boat house.

They have a paddle boat and the kids had a blast! Here is Julianna on the right and Emily, a friend from church on the left. In the back is Sarah Beth and Alison.

And here is Phil, Emily's dad with Emily and Julianna on the boat. He kept yelling "Ahoy!" He reminded me of the scene in Alice in Wonderland when they characters are in the flood of Alice's tears and the Dodo bird yells "Ahoy! And other nautical terms!"

While the kids were paddling around the lake, Jeff and I walked down the street to check out the other houses (and see what was for sale...). It is hard to see, but this is a roof, see the dish on the right hand side? From the lakeside, it was amazing!!
Then we found a house that had this! An actual railroad car, on tracks! Jeff was in heaven. He loves trains, and the woods and the lake. This was like his utopia!

I thought this was cool, the way the tree grew around the barbed wire. We should learn from the tree, learn to embrace what irritates us!And this is a little guy I like to call "Angry cat". I know, not original, but still, look at that cat! And this was using my zoom, we were no where near them!

On our way back we saw this hex on a farmhouse. A while back in art class they learned all about hexes and what they are for. They were very excited to see this one!

And finally this. What a way to end the night.