Nights Like These

Last night and tonight have been absolutely perfect weather wise. July is normally the hottest time of year. But the last two nights have been in the 60-70 degree range and perfectly clear. The crescent moon and stars can be easily seen and there is a gentle breeze blowing. I love to sit on my deck, take walks, or take drives with the windows and moon roof wide open. A lot of people prefer the weather a little warmer than me, but these are the perfect July nights, they remind me of Autumn and Spring, which are my favorite months.

Why I Chose and Love Being a Teacher......

Summer vacation of course. I can't imagine having a regular job without two months off in the summer. Yes I said two. Most people are under the impression that it is 3 months, but somewhere along the way it has become 2 months and sometimes a week off. It seems to get shorter every year. The school board wants to add 10 days to the school year, well that is 2 work weeks. Then they want to have professional developments and mandatory records days, that never get used for that they make you spend the whole day in a training of some sort. This is the first year in a very long time that I have not taught summer school or been going to school for a graduate degree. It feels great! I have spent most of my summer traveling. No big trips, but lots of smaller ones. More to come on those trips soon.

Good Deed for the Day

I rescued a lost dog today. Ellie went running past my yard on the sidewalk, I just caught a glimpse of her. I went on pruning and watering then I saw the dog almost get hit in the road. I whistled but she was going the other direction and ran down a hill behind some of the other townhouses. I then heard the construction workers trying to coax the dog, so I thought maybe she belonged to them. I went on about my business and about 10 minutes later the dog came running up to me. So I took her in the house, looked at her tag and called one of the 4 numbers. Yes two addresses and 4 phone numbers. I got the owner's daughter (they are really old). She couldn't get a hold of her parents because she was sure they were out looking for Ellie. She said she would drive across town and get the dog, but then the the female owner called two different times for directions.........they live off the main road out there Winthrop. I told them to make three left turns naming each street. Well I walked outside and the guy is 1 house down asking some guy directions. And the guy couldn't help him......I yelled is he looking for a lost dog and then took the dog over there. Now the lady on the phone kept saying over and over do we turn on Amber Street. And I told her three times that was my name and repeated the directions. Somehow I feel I might see Ellie again, because the daughter says she gets out all the time and I think the owners are senile.

Daddy Time

I haven't called my dad, "daddy" for years, but he will always be my "daddy." For years I couldn't remember any time I had alone with my Dad-just me and him. There is almost always someone else around when I see him, which is fine, but sometimes I crave alone time with him. I think it is because I relate to him much better that way. Although I like my current step-mom, it just always seems that step-moms change and influence him in subtle ways and he is just slightly different when they are around, even if he is only talking to me on the phone (and most of the time on the phone my dad is exhausted from his long hours at work). I don't mind at all if my brother is around when I see my dad, but there is still nothing like a little undivided attention from my dad. I have never been able to find a good way to bring up the fact that I would like some alone time with my dad without hurting anyone's feelings. I am afraid to tell him that he is somehow just a little different (more understanding, and approachable with any subject) when he without the step-mom) my grandma, his mother, has even said the same thing to me about the situation. Several years ago I tried to plan an outing with just him, to an out of town hockey game, and that didn't go over well because I left out step-mom. I guess I didn't go about it the right way, or maybe it was just down right rude, but it wasn't intended to be. See my step-sister gets time alone with her mom quite often when she visits them and my dad is at work or when her mom visits her where she lives and my dad can't go because he has to work. I know they don't plan it that way, but it just happens by chance more frequently, so I guess they wouldn't understand why I would want time alone with my dad without being rude.
Anyway, I got some alone time twice in the past few months. Once was when I went and picked up my dad for Thanksgiving dinner at my house and my step-mom couldn't make it because of work. I got almost 3 hours of alone time, woo-hoo! Yesterday I also got to meet my dad for a brief lunch as he was passing through town on his way to Ohio for a training, I had picked up a special order coat for him and he needed to get that from me. We went to Cracker Barrel, which was special because he used to visit me and my brother every Wednesday (his day off) when we were in college and take us out for brunch at Cracker Barrel. Yesterday reminded me of the good old times. What a lovely day.

Amazon Profits

Just a quick update, I am up to $145 on my book sales at Amazon.com.
I have gotten busy again and haven't posted much. The personal trainer is kicking my butt. She had me running up and down the stairs at the gym on Wed. Along with squats, lunges and crunches......uggg. I can't see a lot of results yet, but my friend Marsha (also my massage lady) says she can tell I have lost weight in my back, which she has a very intimate relationship with!!! I do feel better, so that is a plus. I just need to start going a little more often. That's all for now.

Gotta Love Amazon.com

OK, so usually I end up throwing all my read and used books into the bin at Good Will or giving them away at a yard sale. I tried something new last night, since I and my brother have been buying used books at amazon.com lately. I listed about 18 books for sale trying to price them as the lowest in the category they fit (new, used-good, etc.) to compete with the other people selling. Some of these books I have had for several years and never touched. For Example: Arabic Verbs & Essential Grammar. I wasn't sure if it would sell, but sure enough it did. So far in the 12 hours or so since I listed my books, I have sold 3 for a grand total of $22.60. That isn't bad considering I get so much for postage. All I have to do is put them in an envelope and take them to the post office. I am well on my way to paying for my weekend DVD purchases with this new book gig. Not to shabby considering the alternative of nothing at Good Will, since I never ask for a receipt for tax purposes. In fact you all know me, I usually dump things in the bin late at night when the place is closed. There were a few books that it wouldn't have been worth my while to sell due to the low prices on amazon (competition) and postage, so if anyone is interested in San Francisco, by Thomas Cook or The Complete Idiot's Guide to San Francisco & The Wine Country, or The United States of Europe, just let me know.

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to all! I must say almost every Valentine's Day in my life has been a disappointment. The one that stands out as not being a disappointment is the one where my father sent me flowers when I was in the second grade. I still have the card that came with the flowers tucked away in my baby book. I went through this phase where I was obsessed with flowers and always wanted to stop at the florist. My parents obliged me often and whenever anyone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would tell them a florist. A florist was a big step up since my previous answer had been, a cashier. I always thought it would be so neat to push all those buttons on the cash register. How embarrassing that answer must have been for my parents. I must admit I am jealous of kids today who have mini cash registers to play with, we didn't have them when I was growing up. I caught myself playing with one the other day with my little 2-year-old friend Kylie. The credit card swiper is so cool! My dad is the best, he aslo sent me flowers several times for my birthday when I was in high school and college. The notes were always so sweet, one read "Happy Birthday, I will miss you when you go away to college next year." I guess my dad will always be my valentine. I hope that doesn't sound too lame. I seriously doubt my Egyptian honey knows when Valentine's Day is, and I am not the type to announce those types of things-I figure if you have to announce that is like asking for something, which defeats the purpose of the holiday to me.