Changes, changes, changes

Dad has now had five days of treatment. He is doing well. I talked to him last night; he sounded good, but tired. He has two more days of treatment then he'll get a few weeks off.

The girls had rehearsal tonight, as most nights. But tonight was a bit different. When I went to sign the girls out, my friend Candy told me Jesse had a spill but she was not the worst injured. At first, I thought she was kidding. She went on to say that Jesse butted heads with another girl. Candy said they hit so hard Jesse fell backwards on her butt. I was very happy she fell backwards (we have reviewed, lots of times, how to fall in taekwondo). Jesse is fine. However, the other girl's cheek met Jesse's hard head. She instantly had a knot. Poor girl. I imagine tomorrow night her face will be black and blue.

John and I attacked our kitchen today. I am not sure if we'll wind up missing a few things but changes were made. We got rid of the coffee maker. John wants a French press. We moved the trash can, microwave and the cat/dog food. We finally broke down and trashed the non-stick pots that were beginning to stick. John even went out tonight and bought us a new set of pots and pans, BLUE ones. :)  The breakfast bar chairs are also gone. The cart that did have the microwave is going out into the garage for me to use for my gardening supplies. We still need to find homes for a few things, but it looks very open now.

I was invited to be part of a Parental Advisory Board for a new group, CCT STARS. The group is for theatrical students to put on shows to raise money for local charities. Our first show will be in a talent show in May. I have to admit I am not sure what I can add to this group of really outgoing women, but I am honored that Pamela thought to include me. I think my learning curve will be going to be huge!

Still working on those baby steps

Today, I saw a friend of mine. Yes, I have a few. ;) 

I spoke with her a couple of months ago and she was not doing so well, mentally speaking. She was down on herself for things she has/had no control over. I talked with her a bit about things reminding her she is a good person. She knows she is a good person. I know it is difficult to think that way when you believe the whole town is talking about you, especially when you live in a small town. But you have to pull yourself up by your boot straps sometimes and push forward.

Today, she was much happier. Things have not changed in her life but her outlook has, makes a world of difference. :) And I am very happy for her.

Of course, that was my good today.

The bad (not really bad, but not good either) my cousin Yana is in the hospital again. They have now found cancer in her brain. The doctors took her off one of her drugs (not sure about the abbreviation used yet) and now have her on a new 10-day treatment. They are hoping to stop the nausea, so she can go home. She is such a strong, quiet woman. I do not know what this family did to deserve her, but I am so glad we have her. She is inspiring!

Phone update

The good news is my "washed" phone came on today. Therefore, I was able to put in all the phone numbers I had. Yes! The other good news is we did not buy a new phone for nothing. The "washed" phone now vibrates ALL THE TIME. Sonny, be quiet!! ;)  I guess it worked out for the best. John had been talking about getting me a new one. His phone has his balance on the front screen when he opened it and mine you had to go through a bunch of stuff to get it. Now, my balance is on the front screen when I open it. Small victories are welcome here.

Go big, or go home

Well, at least that is what John told me I do today. So, my screw up today was no surprise to him...sort of. I know you are curious. I would be. I washed jeans today. No, big deal. No big deal unless I inadvertently left my cell phone in my jeans pocket!

Yep, I washed my phone! I know I need to wipe it down a bit but I think I went a little over board. Anyway. We went to town today and bought me a new one. I am very glad now for my Star Trek relic;  they are cheap. lol  The downside is I no longer have any one's phone number. So, Morgan I lost ya! {boo}

I am glad John helped me set up the new phone, so I still have the same number. I just hope I don't repeat that one anytime soon.

Seems like forever ago!

It feels like I have not been here in weeks, when the reality is I was here a few days ago. So much has happened in the few days...

School is still going great! I love that we are right where I want us to be, as far as number of days go. The girls are still learning and still loving it. Of course it would be nice if Jesse would not rub it in at taekwondo that she gets to do schoolwork while still in her pj's. Poor Zack was just annoyed with her last night. LOL Of course, they were just picking on each other.

Jesse did argue with me today that when writing H20, the 2 should go above the H not as a subscript. I think she was confusing "squaring" a number from her math, with science. Luckily, we have several science encyclopedias and a science dictionary. She quickly found out her Mother was correct...again. ;)

The play is going well. Last night Chloe finally made it up on "Maurice's" back without him falling. :)  Funny how Belle has no problem with Chloe jumping on her. {snicker} Jesse has practice tonight; and I'll have a van full. I am taking four other children with me, so it should be a fun ride over! So long as I do not forget to get them! lol

Dad is having his first blood transfusion today. Mom called about noon to let me know things were going well, but it really is an all day process. His appointment was at 7:45am and the transfusion did not start until 11am. Each unit of blood takes two hours and he is getting two units. Long day for Dad! Mom said they have him in a bad chair. If you recall, Dad has osteoporosis and his vertebrae have been collapsing. Sitting all day without getting up is going to be difficult for him to say the least, especially in a "bad" chair. But she said he was doing well then. I'll hear more later.

John has had a crazy week at work. He has been at Troop Command all week doing USRs. I forget what it stands for, but I think it is the promotion list. Though I could be wrong. He was also asked this week if he wanted to go to Afghanistan. He told me, even if he wanted to go, he didn't think he would be allowed to since no one else knows how to do his job. So being gone for a year would probably be out of the question.

As you can see, life has been full this week. Maybe that is why it feels like I have not been here in awhile. Like the commercial says, Life comes at ya fast. Yep, enjoy every second of it.

A natural teacher?

Most people do not know I my guidance counselor, and three of my high school teachers, tried to convince me to go into teaching. I'm stubborn; I still went into accounting. ;)

This morning I have been emailing a parent from taekwondo. She sent me a note this morning regarding two of her boys. I knew she and I would have a discussion about one of her boys, after Thursday's class. I am, usually, in charge of the black belt recommendeds while they are retraining on all their forms. However, since I am working with our Asperger's student on her black belt recommended, Master Mike decided to give our newest recommended to Alex. This will be Alex's first time working with a black belt recommeded.

Thursday night Master Mike made the mistake of telling Alex he may be able to get our newest recommended through both yellow belt forms. Alex is, of course, Alex. So, he did not focus on the student, but on getting the two forms done. By the time the student had to do the first form in front of Master Mike he could not remember any of it. I was in the room with them, teaching my recommeded, and saw how fast they were going. But Master Mike was there that night (just not in the room), so I'm not sure when I am suppose to say something and when I'm suppose to shut up. The student could not do the first form for Mike, once they were back in the room because they went through both forms so quickly. Poor kid. He now has to redo the low yellow form and Master Mike informed Alex that I (Marsha) am to decide when the student moves on. (Mike was suppose to be out Tuesday, but now he will be out the entire week. Alex does not know yet.)

I am emailing this parent back and forth this morning. Her last email she said something that caught my attention. How could it not? She said, "Gotta love Alex, but he's not a natural teacher like you! (he thinks he is ;))" 

I don't think I've ever thought of myself as a natural teacher. Do I enjoy teaching? I do. I really enjoy seeing their little eyes light up when they get it. I enjoy the elation of graduations. I enjoy almost all of it. Just, honestly, not so much Alex.

He makes me teaching difficult. If I out ranked him it would be so different! But I don't out rank him and he believes I am incompetent. I know! Pot and kettle and all that. I think it also confuses the students somewhat as to who to ask for what. This week is going to be difficult. I will be down one assistant, Chloe has rehearsal every night we have taekwondo this week. The first degree black belts need to learn their nunchuk drills and two black belt recommends in two different places. I wish I were a natural teacher, then this would not feel so daunting.

I made a decision, while emailing with this parent. I know Alex is going to say something to me or Master Mike about it though. I told the parent to have her recommeded student come to class with her yellow belt student, and I will make sure he does the low yellow belt in that class. Alex can do the high yellow in the black belt class. I know Alex is going to be upset, or mad or something, but with all I have to teach this week and being down an assistant I have to do something.

Thank you for reading my ramblings. Sometimes I just have to get things out.

Beautiful day!

This afternoon I went out to clean the van. I've promised a friend to drive her children around next week, so it had to be cleaned. I mean we use the van as our "hauler", messy would not even begin to describe it. Anyway. The girls decided it would be a good day for rollerblading too. Rosie also joined in the fun. They played a bit of basketball too.

I stopped a little over halfway for a snack, just after John got home. He went in to change out of his uniform, then went out with the girls. I love these moments. There I sat on the steps of the front porch eating snack with one hand, petting a cat with the other, while watching John play Frisbee with the girls. It was one of those moments you take in the smells and sounds and hold it close to your heart in hopes of keeping it forever. Beautiful day. Beautiful moment.

I'll start with the theatre. Chloe was, kind of, happy to find out she is the smallest wolf, so she gets to jump on Maurice's (Josh's) back. It is a good thing she kind of knows Josh or else I think she would feel weird about jumping on someone she didn't know. lol  Of course, they have only had one practice and she was having problems getting up on his back. She as asked if I could practice with her, so I think I am going to be sore. :)

Jesse had her first choreography rehearsal last night. She was promoted from "condiment" to "cheese". Those in my family are going to laugh to find out we have another "cheese". LOL  I think she is enjoying it, but she is not the biggest fan of the choreographer. I reminded her last night that I told her everything I had heard about the woman and she (Jesse) still wanted to audtion. In other words, child you made you bed...you know the rest.

School went fantastic last semester!! This is the first year we have put in ninety days, by the end of December! It is a good thing considering John is having to take three or four days off each month, in addition to his regular days off. And now we'll be able to take them off with him. Yeah!

I have to say I have learned a lot while teaching the girls. For instance, I never knew where Mesopatamia was. Now I know and I get it.  The other day John and I were watching a TV show and they were discussing Pavlov's dog. Today when the girls and I were watching another show and they mentioned Pavlov's dog. I got to explain it to them. I loving getting it!!

I am happy to say I spoke with my Dad this morning and he is going to try the treatment.

Good with the bad

Last Wednesday we finally bought the girls their Betta's for Christmas. The girls were so excited to have their "own" pet. Each found a place in their room to put their new friend. However, we soon discovered their rooms were just not warm enough. Three, or four, nights ago we moved both fish into the dining room.

Yesterday morning, Jesse went to feed her fish only to discover he had passed away. Poor fish. Poor Jesse. John wanted to take Jesse out to get a new fish. Since I had an appointment, I decided to stay home so they would not be rushed. (They had already looked up the opening times for Monkey Joe's.) Again, there were no fish left at PetSmart.

We went today and Jesse has a new fish. A girl this time. Her name, of course, is Dory! Did I ever tell you Chloe named hers Squirt?

"Normal?"

So. I went to the ENT today. I had my hearing checked. It was normal. I had my ears checked. No fluid. I had my "crystals" checked and I'm normal. In other words, there is nothing he can do for me now. So I had no reason to worry. No surgeries in my future...for now. I just have to [continue] living with the fact I cannot breathe well through my nose, I cannot hear well (phones are my enemy) and I still will not be able to follow conversations well in public places.

My normal.

Changes start today!

Taekwondo starts back today, seems like we were just there. One month goes by quickly!! Mike gave me the option to continue teaching one night each week or go back to just teaching the white/yellow belt class and assisting with the other classes. I chose to go back to just teaching the white/yellow belt class. After talking with John, we decided I may do better, with everything going on, with a little less stress where I can get it. We start back tonight. I am excited to see who returns to class.

I go to the ENT today. Finally!! They originally had me scheduled for the week we went to Disney, then we changed it to the 29th. When we got home from Disney, I found a letter in the mail where they changed the date to the 3rd. So. Today, I go to see Chloe's ENT. While the vertigo has stayed at bay, I have had a few issues still. My ears, at times, hurt. I have had a little dizziness, but nothing like the vertigo I experienced awhile back. I am somewhat anxious about what he is going to tell me. I really have no idea. John thinks they are going to want to put tubes in my ears. My Dad think some surgery may be in my future too. I am trying not to think about it.