Retrospective

I have previously blogged about my driving journey to Uvalde and the many unfortunate "encounters" my box has had with wildlife in southwest Texas. To recap, I have bumped a deer and a coyote. I have hit a roadrunner (aren't they supposed to run fast? I remember that they did in the cartoons), several lizards and frogs, a sparrow, a cardinal, a possum, a raccoon, a snake, a skunk (yuck)!, a couple of jack rabbits (sorry earthmama :(), 3 armadillos, and 1 prairie dog.. After a year of driving every day to and from I was bound to hit a variety of wildlife but last week I topped even that. I was on my way home from summer school and I was behind a large industrial produce truck. I ran over several ears of corn, 2 heads of cabbage (now coleslaw on highway 90), a couple of onions, and some carrots. I couldn't believe it myself. But, hey if I take one of the animals I hit before as a protein I could cook up some southwest Texas soup... (sounds yummy)..

Still breathing..

Maybe next year on my journey to work I will encounter something new (hope not but at least I have something to look forward too)..

Showing

I just want to put it out there that Frank has a showing today for his house in DR. I am excited for Frank. He, on the other hand is stressed, anxious, and nervous about the whole process. He is on a deadline and needs to sell his house quickly so, he can start in CC. I have faith that his house will sell for what he is asking, which is a steal. We,(we does not include Marinara; she somehow got out of it each time), put in a tremendous amount of work into his house and I hope it pays off for him BIG..

On another front I have begun to show my age. I forgot or maybe even lost my cell phone and wallet back in DR. I had planned to go home today after school. (I hvnt been home in 2 days and my squishy is getting bitchy), but not tonight unless I can or someone can find my shit and bring it to me here.. I will NOT drive to DR and then turn around and drive to SA>> that's crazy!

Looking forward to a relaxing weekend with my sister, niece, and nephew. Planning on a early morning zoo trip, Witte museum or movie, our favorite lunch spot, and then a trip to my favorite place Half Price books.

Still breathing, sadly without my cell or wallet :(

putting it out there

Lately, I have been really busy in Del Rio and I have neglected my house, my job hunt, my dogs, my family, and myself. To try and play catch up I am just going to put it all out there and hope and pray my life gets back in order (not to say it is not, but i have been a little frantic lately). First in line is my house, i would like the dust bunnies and dog hair to find somewhere else to co-habitat, laundry (which I secretly enjoy doing but not putting it away), needs to make its way into my dresser and closet and the grocery shopping (who needs to eat).
Next, my job. I have put applications in six different districts and went to 3 different job fairs and 2 interviews but the job market is very tight and competitive in San Antonio. 10 teachers are applying for 1 job. I have the experience, skills, and the certifications but I wonder if I have been blacklisted. So, I am asking and praying to find a job closer to San Antonio. I DO NOT want another year of commuting to and from Uvalde. Do not get me wrong, I love my job at Flores but not the drive. Now, onto my dogs. They smell horrible and my littlest one has several fleas, she is still too young for any flea treatment available. I have tried bathing her in apple cidar vinegar and it is effective for a while. My dogs need a break from the backyard and I need the motivation to take them to a park where they can enjoy themselves and nature. When it comes to my family I have to say I miss them but I am cautiously taking my time to see them. I am putting it out there that I would like my sister to come over without an invite. Lastly, myself. I need a massage and a pedicure. My feet are rough and calloused. I would like a good night sleep in my bed and a good steak dinner (and I do not want to cook it or buy one).. That's all for now. So, it is out there and I will see what happens next.

Pass the Aleve Please!!

Oh boy! What a weekend I have had. I spent it in Del Rio again with Frank helping him paint, landscape, pack, clean, and organize. We were ambitious Friday night when we both arrived from San Antonio with a three page list itemized by each room in his house and the things that needed to get done. We, (and that's all there was), his roommate worked all weekend, Marinara was out of town, and my ex and his partner had plans, so it was just he and I the entire weekend. I had my doubts we would be able to keep our personalities in check especially towards the end of the day when we were both tired and frustrated but somehow we did. I learned a tremendous amount of DIY project info this weekend; installing laminate and ceramic tile floors, landscaping, constructing shelves, and some electrical..I must say it was fun, we both enjoyed trial and error of each project. At the end of Saturday we finished landscape, painting (outside) and cleaning the front and back yard, packing 5 boxes for my return trip home and organized his "great room" for upcoming post pictures today. We were both so tired Saturday night that we were nipping at each other. But, I must say that he has softened quite bit and after he stepped on my big toe (only had socks on)and he had tennis shoes, he immediately blamed me for laying on the kitchen floor while we were cooking (I was in the way), but I was putting together a parson chair for the kitchen. He walked out and came in and apologized which is a big step for him. Sunday we slept in a little did some more planting and painting his patio (last minute decision the night before), we cleaned and packed one bedroom, the master bedroom, the great room was staged and ready, and the media room and the closet was staged, cleaned, and packed. All in all we finished 2 1/2 of the 3 pages and left the laundry room floor, touch up painting in the bathroom and cleaning the tub, touch up painted and grout the kitchen counters. I am pleased with what we accomplished physically and emotionally. We have been friends for over 20 years and with that have seen each other through many life changes. My body aches all over, (did I mention I fell off a ladder Saturday while painting), I am tired, and my box is full once again with more stuff but Aleve can fix it..

Last night when we were both delirious from being tired and smelly(we both stank horribly),we came up with our own mastercard priceless commerical..

paint supplies, cleaning items, and aleve $100 on mastercard

landscaping materials, boxes, and a trip to the Wal-mart for more Aleve, $200

surviving a weekend with a good friend priceless...

Come on down

I took a break from summer school to attend a couple of job fairs and interviews on T and W. Both went well. Job fairs are like cattle calls, not very productive and much face time but at least I was able to put a face with a resume and lets face it I am hard to forget.. (lucky me).. I also cleaned my house completely, finding all the dust bunny hiding places which were many and somehow with Squishy we were able to eradicate the demonic dust bunnies and DOG hair which co-habitated with the bunnies from every corner, shelf, electronics, and furniture.. We even power washed the entire exterior of the house which desperately needed it.. It felt good to get all that cleaning done. I must admit that the dog hair is a never ending story.. I can clean relentlessly and then bring them in and it starts all over again..

On top of all my cleaning and traveling to visit my Temple family (which I had a splendid time and I wished I could have done more to help out), my sister called me and we have since talked.. She is going through something now and needs someone to lean on. I am glad she called..

Well I have a few more hours of work today and I am off for the weekend. I think Frank and I are going to finally finish his house, the laundry room remains left to be floored and his house needs to be staged. I hope he can sell and make a good profit for all the hard work that has been done..

Light bulb

Have you ever had a moment where you are totally confused and then ah-ha moment comes? My students had one today all at the same time. Edison would be proud. I am enjoying summer school but the mornings are still not so much fun, but keeping in mind that I am getting an extra paycheck puts a smile on my face as I pass the 78 cows, 36 fields of green, and countless goats (they never stay in one place to count)

Heavy heart

I am tired.. I spent the weekend helping my DR friend clean, renovate, and pack his house only to come home to my puppy Savannah sick with Parvo. I sadly had to put her down this evening. Its hard to say good bye to someone who hasnt been around very long and it hurts a lot. I cried on my way back home from the emergency vet where I left her. I asked myself and GOD why her.. Time passed then my DR friend called and asked me to join him at Bill Millers (his favorite place) where he tried his best to comfort me (which was incredibly sweet because that is something he is not accustomed to but it helped).

I guess there are no answers as to why it just happens and we must grieve, enjoy the time we had with the loved one, and move on.

I will post a pic of her soon, maybe tomorrow. I am not working I have an interview here in SA (fingers crossed).

Still breathing