JP got his 'net up and running!!

I'm so happy!! I got to chat online with JP for a bit today... I was really getting annoyed, but I'm feeling much better now!

He got the POA set up, so he's mailing that out to me, and I called Mr. Refinance, and he's coming out next Wednesday to go over stuff. Hopefully by the time the August payment is due, I'll be paying it (less of it, too!!) to someone else!

My teacher in class tonight gave me a lead on a job, assistant for a marketing director friend of hers. She's looking for someone to do her books and basically assist her with paperwork and computer work. At first I thought that I would be perfect for it, even though it's a 40+ hour per week job, and it's in the Fargo Moorhead area. With a full load at school, even if I could convince this woman to let me work from home (and I could, it's mostly spreadsheets and contacting people for her) I would be stretched too thin, and something would suffer, either home, the kids, my schoolwork, or the job. So I was telling Mom about it, and then it hit me, SHE would be perfect for the job! I have the contact information for this woman, and I'm going to call her in the morning, tell her that my teacher recommended I call for myself, but I realize that I simply could not do the job at this time, but OH, by the way, here's someone who can! Mom said she would hate to leave her current boss, Opal high and dry, but her current position is not going to work for someone who wants to live on their own, it just doesn't pay enough. I think it would be so great if she could get this. Then, yes, she would be driving back and forth a lot, but making more money, and she could expand her housing market, when she starts looking, to include the smaller towns between D.L. and the F/M area. The houses in those smaller towns will be easier on her budget, that's for sure. I was so excited when I heard about this job, but now I'm excited about it for her!

The kids have been driving Mom and I nuts the last few days. Suddenly my "no" as an answer isn't good enough, and they have to beg or whine, or ask "why?"... BECAUSE I SAID SO, THAT'S WHY!! Really going to have to hurt someone!! And the worst part is, it's only Alex and Emma because Eric has been in Albert Lea for almost 2 weeks.

We are heading down there tomorrow morning to get him though. We will spend Friday night down there and head for home Saturday. I think we will end up spending some of the weekend at Dad and Lorna's, they will be up for the long weekend.

Mom and I did another project today, start to finish though, which is rare for us. My bedframe is longer than my mattress and boxspring, so we made a spacer to keep my pillows from falling down into the gap. We are so good, we even made it out of recycled particle board from a shelf thing that we were going to throw away. It is now a built-in fix. It's such a tight fit, there is literally NO wiggle room, but that's good, no wiggle, no rattle, no banging.

I got some bill paying done tonight, sent off the last payment to Home Depot (Yippee, no finance charges!) and paid off my Target card, too. Now I put that away, and leave it away. When we do the refinance, there will be a skipping of monthly payments in there, sort of. I'm sure it won't work out that way, but they say it. I'm not holding my breathe, and I'm not going to stop socking away the mortgage payments either.

Well, that's it, it is time to end the day, tomorrow will be better, because it's one day closer to JP coming home.

I'm a much better student this time around

Got another grade on our latest journal entries. Last time it was 38/35... This time was 44/40. I got an A on the first paper we handed in, and I handed in the second one tonight. I've also got a rough draft of another paper (she LOVES to overlap them and really screw with our minds) that's due Thursday. It's supposed to be 4 pages long, and I'm getting there. I sat down with it tonight, after working on it last Friday and again Monday night and I've got 3 pages so far. I still have the conclusion to do, and I'm betting I can stretch some other points out a bit more and get to 4. The one I handed in tonight was also supposed to be 4 pages, but I got chatty and did 5 pages. This one is tough though, the others were more personal, opinion type papers, and I can talk forever about what I know and what I think. This one I'm struggling with is an analysis of an essay we read. It's an essay by a middle aged black man from a ghetto who now has a literary PhD and teaches college in Wyoming, and also has a brother in prison for life for his part in a murder/robbery. I simply cannot relate to ANYTHING this man has to say. I am supposed to figure out what lessons can be learned from this author's story (don't shoot people?) and his style of writing... PITA (pain in the ass)!!!!

I miss JP. I've all but given up on missing him here, why even mention it? It has simply become a fact of my life... I miss seeing him online. I miss having long chats with him when everyone else in the house is in bed and it's quiet... Like our own little private time.

Ok, that's it, I'm going to bed.

Got the Go-Ahead

I just got off the phone with JP, I love that he trusts me with our financial future. I gave him all the details of the refinance, and told him that I really think we should do it. He's going to check into getting me the POA so I can do it with him not here. It will be so much nicer on our budget, so maybe I will have a little extra money at the end of the month instead of the other way around... Which is what I'm dealing with now.

We had some excitement here last night, the cops came for a visit. (It's ok, we called them, asked them to come help us) Alex was the victim of a bully situation, almost got his shoes stolen. Pretty sad when owning a pair of brand name shoes makes you a target. He was barefoot, his Etnies ("the" shoes) were sitting on dry land 5 feet away from him as he waded through the huge puddle created on our side street by the thunder and hail storm that had just passed through. Two kids, about 15 yrs old rode by on their bikes, saw Alex and the shoes, and rode over to him, shoved him down (splash! Into the puddle!) and grabbed his shoes. Alex got up and did the right thing, came running to the house. Mom and I heard (through the yelling of Alex and Emma) and got the main points of the story, grabbed her truck keys and headed out to hunt the little bastards down! (at this point, it's appropriate to say "wow, they rock!!") We headed one of them off (they had split up, and were already a couple of blocks away) and stopped him, asked him (not politely) where the shoes were. We ended up, after a series of ran-stop signs and squealed tires, following these 2 boys (yeah, we found the other one, too! We're so cool!) following them back to the scene of the crime. I'm guessing they were about to take off WITH the shoes, saw Alex running to the house hollering for us, realized that they would get busted, dropped them and ran. Sorry punks, it's not about the shoes, it's about pushing kids around who are smaller than you, bullying the entire neighborhood. This is not the first time my kids have "met" these hoodlums. After wading into the puddle to retrieve the shoes (little bastards threw them into the middle of the water, hope they're not ruined) I hollered to them (they're busting ass out of there by then) that they better just get their asses home and wait for the cops to pay them a visit. So we called the cops, had an officer stop by and gave him the details (kudos to Alex here ) and he said he would go talk to mommies and daddies (those are HIS words). Alex then mentioned that he would not be surprised by retaliation in the next few days. The officer let us know he would be talking to the boys about that. Point of that conversation would be that it's over now, and any type of revenge would be met with harsh punishment. I'm thinking sending them to a juvenile detention center... This is not the first time the police have visited these two boys and their homes.

So we had an interesting night...

Time passes

quickly, lately. It's already the end of June. I think I can attribute a lot of that to college. I only have 5 more classes in Comp, then I start with the math. That one is every day for 3 hours a day, so I doubt that will seem to fly by though. Hopefully sometime between the end of that class and the beginning of the fall semester Mom and I will be able to make it out to Michigan. It's been 3 years since I was out there. I think if we don't go at the end of August, it may be a very long time before I can go again. Once JP gets home, and I will be heading into my final year at school, I don;t think next summer will give me much time. I plan to take summer classes next year, too.

I have spent my day visiting dad, he was up at the cabin for a fishing weekend, then I came home and worked on my rough draft of my next essay. It's due Thursday. I also finished revisions on the final draft of another one that is due Tuesday.

I have to talk to JP about this mortgage refinancing we want to do. I have to get a Power of Attorney to do it without JP being here. I have checked into it, and I think it will be good for us. We have an adjustable rate mortgage and it is due to "adjust" this fall. I found a refinance option to lock us in, and it will be better in our budget. I can't talk to JP often, he still does not have his internet set up, so I can't give him too much time to think about this. He's gonna have to trust me on this one. But it's a financial decision, and he seems to think I know what I'm talking about.

I wish he could make them hurry with his internet, I miss talking to him everyday. This crap with getting a phone call every 3 or 4 days really sucks. Even though when we talk everyday, it's with instant messenger, and I cant hear his voice, it's still talking to him and I want it back.

But it's past Half Way Day, so now we can really start counting down. Only 9 months to go... if I were pregnant, (ewww, never mind!)

I love you JP. I miss you. Come home soon.

Had a couple of drinks tonight

To celebrate my big fat A in Comp, not only is it an A, but it's 107% of an A... Mom has the next 2 days off, stopped a drive off tonight at work, so she felt like celebrating and unwinding, so we ran to the liquor store in the truck and I picked up a 6 pack of Mike's and she got a big jug of Kahluah Mudslide, and we got mellow.(and funny... She and I are funny!!)

Then we got a phone call from Gina, she's out in the driveway, she and Kenter stopped in for a 3 hour visit, and we talked and laughed and drank... It was a good night.

I think I heard mom not feeling well in the bathroom downstairs before I came to bed, guess I'll ask her in the morning... But she was having a good time, and she needs to do that.

I wish JP were here, he'd love me in this mood. I'm happy.

My horoscope should have said...

Something about financial pictures becoming clearer today. (but no, I got a bunch of crap about forgiving past transgressions blah blah blah)
This is why my horoscope should have been about financial happiness today:
I got the wiener down at my insurance company checking into our rates, she says we should be able to get something lower, good records that we have and all. She says she will get back to me tomorrow, if not, I will be calling her. I want answers.

I also got a call out of the blue about refinancing or at least looking at our options concerning our (possibly shady) mortgage company, perhaps you've heard of them: Ameriquest... Yeah, big settlement payers in a recent lawsuit claiming they mislead a bunch of their customers... I'm pretty sure I want to get away from them. I will see what this other company has to say/offer, then talk to JP. If we end up refinancing, I can do that only if JP gives me a temporary Power of Attorney. Funny thing about getting this call is that JP and I were just talking about checking into them in the last few days. Before then, I knew very little about my mortgage, today, I know LOTS... And was able to NOT sound stupid talking to this woman on the phone. So she is going to do some checking and get back to me.

I also got a bill in the mail today, one I was actually looking forward to getting. If I can (and I can) pay Home Depot $250 before July 1, we will avoid the finance charges of almost $89. "Interest free for 6 months" is a great thing, if you can pay it off in 6 months... and I can.

Things happen for a reason, I tell ya. You can't tell me there isn't a purpose to everything that you do, every seemingly random act is done for a reason. That reason may not be clear to you right away, but eventually, you will look back and do a "Oh, geez, NOW I get it, that makes perfect sense now" It was just meant to be. Don't argue with fate, it'll bite you in the ass, just let it unwind the way it was meant to be.
In the end, everyone will be happy, everything will be fine. (BTW -- JP, YOUR end is FINE... Damn I miss your ass!!)

Who peed in YOUR cheerios today?

Have you heard this expression? You're in a bad mood,and someone asks you "geez, who peed in your cheerios this morning?"...Well I was having a good day, nope, pretty great. I decided (hindsight: do not share good things with brother) to call Steven and tell him about my great day.

He is the pisser.

Nothing more to say, Steven is the official Cheerio Pisser.

My first "grade" in 15 years

And ya know what it is???? It's an A....
Yeah, I was pretty happy. It wasn't the highest in the class, that honor went to Mr Creeps-me-out. But I also got 20/25 on the extra credit I turned in, so I'm happy.

I haven't talked to JP lately, I think he's on the move. He sent me an email with his new address, and I've already got 3 boxes just sitting here waiting. I am debating between sending all 3 at once, or dribbling them out over a week. There's stuff in all 3 that I want him to have right away. I really missed sending him things, and I want him to know that IM BAAACCKKKK.

Ray and Pierrette are coming up Friday or Saturday to swap kids. The plan is for them to spend a couple of days here, then head home with Eric, he's the last one. I miss Emma, she's such a chatterbox, but you don't notice it when she's here, it's like white noise in the background. My house is too quiet without her. When it's time to get Eric back, then the kids and I will drive down there, spend a couple of days, and give mom some time alone.

I'm sure it's not easy for her living here, it's a lot louder in my house than she's used to (even with Emma gone!!) So if we can head out for a few days, give her some peace and quiet, hopefully that will keep her from going postal quite as quickly. Gee, I wish my kids could drive, send them down alone, and spend some quiet time alone... in my house... that's just weird to think about.

I've been staying up too late, and I'm tired. Since I don't have to wait up for JP, pretty sure I won't be hearing from him til at least tomorrow, I should just go to bed.
yup....

First glimpse of grade

We turned in our journals on Thursday, got them back on Tuesday. Between the few assignments we entered in there, it was worth 35 points. I got 38. I also turned in an extra credit assignment tonight, worth 25 points, figured with not having seen how she feels about my essays, I may need those 25 points.

Next Tuesday, she will be returning our first essays, along with our current grade for the class. I am a bit concerned, only because I have no idea what to expect. Yes, I know she approved of what I had in my journal, but this essay is different. Our grade for the class is made up of 30% journal/class participation but 70% is the essays we do.

I got a lot done the last couple of days, everything from regular cleaning that has been neglected-- sweeping up (a golden retriever sized pile of dog hair) and mopping (scrubbing, really, hands and knees) the dining room and kitchen to things that will make it better around here. I rearranged the toolroom, put the cat's litter box and food in there, so the dogs have access to the laundry room and we put a bucket of water in there so the girls can drink when we're down here.

This week I have only sons, Emma is down in Albert Lea with the in-laws. My boys are getting along so nice, it's almost scary. Alex has been wonderful, playing with Eric, getting him to go outside and get active. They went out flying a kite, played football, and they even had a good water fight with little pistols and a bucket. I am really happy with Alex, he's really matured, he's being just a great brother. I sent him out mowing the lawn today, Emma's chore, and he did great with that, too.

I got some dark blue yarn, and started on the 3rd panel, so I have one black one and one light blue one done, I think the dark blue ones will be a different kind of knit, maybe I will have mom teach me how to pearl, or whatever those other ones are called.

I'm talking to JP now, so I should go...he's got the day off.

Now I am a pompous ass

I just finished my rough draft on my Rodriguez-like essay. I need to do an entry here to find myself again, shed off the arrogance of his style... I'm working on it.

I bought a flash drive for my laptop, so I can stick stuff on it, then transfer it to my home PC so I can print things out, another wonderful learning experience for me, getting rid of a bit more of the "computer stupid"...

I wanted to get up and work on my chairs a bit today, but its almost 4pm, and I just finished my homework...AND I ONLY HAVE ONE CLASS... imagine how it'll be when I'm carrying 19 credits...ugh, goodbye chairs, goodbye scrapbooking, goodbye television, goodbye to everything that isn't school related. oh well, some day . I remember feeling remorse when I realized after working at McShithole that I hadn't worked on any of my projects, but at least this time I'm giving up my hobbies for something worthwhile. And in the end, I will have something to show for it, not just a pittance paycheck and sore feet.

I've lost 10 lbs since leaving there. I thought for sure I would gain weight after leaving, not running around for a minimum of 8 hours a day... but I guess not eating 2/3 of my daily meals there has balanced it out. Good. Now to figure out a way to get rid of the last 10 to 15 lbs...

I have orientation tomorrow morning, I find that ironic, I've been going to class for almost a month, and I'm finally getting oriented. but there are some questions I have, so I'm looking forward to going. I don't know how long it will last, anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, depending on the testing I may or may not need to do.

I'm meeting the in-laws in St Cloud on Tuesday, get my son back, and get rid of my daughter for a week or so. Its so nice of them to do that, every summer, take each kid alone for a week. Being that far away, I'm sure they just want to spend some time with the kids. The other grandkids are closer, so they see them more often. Plus it's a nice break for me, and I really appreciate it.

Mom will be home from work soon, I will have her read over my Pompous Essay, see what she thinks of it. Then I have the rest of my (night) to do whatever I want... How about going to bed? Thinking like an obnoxious jerk is exhausting.

Richard Rodriguez is a pompous ass

One might ask, who IS Richard Rodriguez? He is the author of an essay I am required to read in my Eng. Comp. class. My teacher, in her (ha!) infinite wisdom is in love with this guy's writing. I find it wordy, snotty and belittling to me, and people like me...You know, people who DON'T have a PhD. Now my next assignment is to write my own essay in his style... In other words, I have to become a pompous ass who looks down their nose at everyone. Gee, I'm so looking forward to this assignment. Ugh. I already completely changed my first essay, after reading her comments on the rough draft we turned in last week. I'm not talking a few minor changes, I'm talking completely changed the entire focus of the essay. My rough draft was what I liked, now I'm trying to give her what she wants, so she will give me what I want: an A.

Well, anyway, today is payday, so I paid all the bills, and got everything squared away for the next 2 weeks.

JP is moving, can't talk too much about it, but he will be unable to receive mail for a couple of weeks, until he gets settled in his new home. It sounds like his new home is nicer than the dump he's in right now, and I'm glad, he deserves to be somewhere decent, if he must be there at all.

I talked to Steven today, actually had a nice conversation with him, he wasn't short and "I gotta go in 2 minutes, just wanted to say 'hi'." We talked for a little over half an hour, he even asked me how things were going, not just droning on about him, his life, his friends, his travels...His, his, his. So that was nice. (and I have a moment of pause, because here I sit, going on and on about me, but then I think, no, that's what a blog is for...Not appropriate for a phone call to your sister, but perfectly fine for blogs)

It's almost midnight, and I'm still up. Whenever I'm not working, I find that I do this. I am just a night person, I guess. I know I will be tired in the morning, because for some reason I cannot manage to sleep in really late anymore. I shocked the hell out of myself this morning...woke up at 5 am to pee and went back to bed UNTIL 10 AM!!! Of course, that is probably the reason I am still up now.

I guess I don't have much else, mom has tomorrow off, so we may do a little work on some projects around here. Now that the sun porch looks so nice and roomy, I would love to get going on my chairs, but I know that the tool room is still a mess, calling to me "clean me...Clean me"... aw, crap.