Days go by

Was it really Wednesday when I last blogged? My how the time has flown. I ended up having Wednesday and Thursday off this week and worked yesterday and today.

Carson had an eye appointment on Wednesday. The doctor suggested he may not yet have developed depth perception, which is why he contiues to fall often and sometimes run into things. She thinks his occupational therapist at school should be able to do some exercises with him to improve the probability that he will develop depth perception. I really like his doctor, but I really dislike when doctors and other medical professionals talk down to patients, or patient's parents in this case. I politely left without saying much, but I wanted to say, "So you honestly believe that an occupational therapist spending 30 minutes a week with Carson at school is going to help remedy such an important issue?!?! How about a referral to a visual therapist, or a developmental optometrist?!!?" I've found both on my own, by the way. We'll be calling for an appoitment next week. It's times like these that I'd really like to have my resume tattooed somewhere to say, "Look here! I'm educated too, so don't talk to me like I'm a moron." One more reason to start working on that PhD. It would be so nice to introduce myself as Dr. Franklin. :)

Today I worked at a seminar put on by my workplace. Over 200 child care providers attended. It went really well and made me realize how comfortable I am in my new job and how much I enjoy being part of a university. I was approached during the seminar to teach a different class in the spring. The class is called "Child Life in Hospital Settings. " I loved the course when I took it during graduate school, but I never dreamed I'd be asked to teach it. It's an upper level course, unlike the freshman level courses I've been teaching. I think it will be great to have students who already have the basics down and are ready to get into some more in-depth material. It scares me a litttle that I could potentially have graduate students in my class, but I'll get over it. I had to stop myself from taking over the presentation from the speaker in the room I was helping in at the seminar. I like being the teacher. ;)

This afternoon we went to a birthday party for Jacob, my friend Becky's, little boy. She had the party at Pioneer Apple Orchard and it was great. We had a hayride, picked pumpkins, ate apples, and roasted hotdogs. Here are some pics:


Riding to the pumpkin patch




















Dirty-faced boy


Tomorrow, we're going to early church and then to St Louis to let Carson pick out something for his birthday and possibly take him to the transportation museum if the weather is good. He is crazy about trains and we've never been to the museum before. Should be a fun day! His party is next Saturday and I've just about got every thing under control. If everyone comes, there will be 42 children there. Oh my! My mom has helped greatly. Thanks Mom! Have a great Sunday everyone!

Ten Kindnesses

Name ten kindnesses shown to you this week.

1. My friend, Becky, offered to watch Carson while I go to his parent/teacher conference tomorrow. She is always so good to me when I need her. :)

2. My mom has been taking Greg to work this week while our truck is in the shop, which makes my life a whole lot easier.

3. Donna, the mom of a child I visit for therapy, gave me the prettiest pillow just because I said it was pretty. Last week she gave me 2 chicken alfredo boxed dinners because I said I couldn't decide what to fix for dinner. She also always asks how I am and is genuinely concerned, even while her child is still struggling with medical issues.

4. My friend, Nancy, agreed to teach my night class on Carson's birthday so I can be home to celebrate with him.

5. My friend, Syd, stopped by my desk just to see if I needed help with anything at work.

6. My friend, Brooke, emailed some pictures of Carson and his class at the fair to me on the very same day they went to the fair. I had to work, so it was great to see the pics so soon.

7. Heather thanked me for sharing a craft idea for MOPS with her and made it sound like I had come up with a solution to world hunger.

8. The waiter at Buckner's cheerfully served my rowdy Sunday school class for 3 hours on Friday night, even though I'm sure he wanted us to get the heck out of his table space.

9. My Bible study class welcomed me so warmly to the last five minutes of class last Wednesday when I was late returning from Jefferson City.

10. Greg only called me one time while I was gone getting a manicure, pedicure and shopping at Target by myself for 3 hours last night. He was even pleasant and didn't even ask when I planned to come home. Carson was in bed and the house was somewhat in order when I got home.

I tag Becky and Brooke to list ten kindnesses on their blogs. I'm feeling very blessed after taking the time for this list. Have a great Wednesday!

Down Time

I made it through the week Surprisingly, I actually got almost everything finished that I needed to do this week. Last night we went to Buckner Brewing Company with our friends from Sunday school. I realize that it's a little strange for our Sunday school class to meet at what is essentially a bar, but this is one of the only places we can always get a table for 15 on a Friday night without an extra charge for a room. We had a blast. Our class has grown into such a tight knit crew over the 3 years since we started the class. We laugh so hard when we get together outside of church. (The two wedding cake martinis I had may have helped with the laughter. :)

Today I'm teaching a class at the scrapbook store at 11 and then we're taking Carson to see March of the Penguins this afternoon. My boss's sister gave everyone I work with 2 free movies tickets that expire on the 22nd. They have to be used through the week or before 4 on the weekend, so today is the day. Carson does pretty well in the movies, so I hope he'll enjoy this one. It's pretty sad that this is the only movie that would be suitable for a preschooler. What happened to having at least one kid friendly movie at all times? I'll stop before I launch into "children are valued so little in this country" rant.

On Thursday, Carson and I attended the first ever Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) meeting in Jackson. We had a great time. I'll be helping with crafts from now on. If anyone knows any 20 minutes or less crafts for adults, send them my way. We have to keep the prep and assembly simple and inexpensice, but we want to make sure we offer neat projects. Carson attends the MOPets while I go to my meeting. He never has a problem seperating from me, but he really didn't have a problem at MOPs. He was so excited to meet his new friends that I could barely keep up with him when we were trying to find his classroom. He's really into having friends right now. Everywhere we go he wants to know if his friends are going to be there.

Tomorrow I have a bridal shower to attend in the afternoon and church in the morning. It will be so nice to have an evening at home. My class has been postponed for a week or two until they have my contract ready, so I'll be home on Monday night too! I'm so excited about having nothing to do! Have a great weekend!

On the road again

I'm leaving in about an hour for Jefferson City. I've worked all morning to get the laundry caught up and the house clean. Woe to any male members of this household if things are not as I left them when I return tomorrow night. I think they'll be fine. I am planning to spend this evening shopping at TJ Maxx and then chillin' in my hotel room by myself while I sort through all of my scrapbook paper and put page kits together. I also need to finish working on my Bible study homework. I have work that I could be doing, but I decided that tonight is for me. No distractions. I have vowed to quit buying scrapbook supplies unless I actually have the pictures to match the paper in my hand. No more buying because the paper is cute and thinking that I'll remember to take pictures of Carson eating M&M's to match the cute M&M paper I had to have. I just donated literally hundreds of pieces of paper to a silent auction for hurricane relief. I can't think of a more worthy cause, but to see all that paper that was probably $.50 a sheet made me a little bit sick. I still have tons of paper, which is why I'll be making page kits tonight. Get the pictures with the paper and get the pages done. I'll be coming home after my meeting tomorrow and heading straight to church for Bible study. Thursday night is MOPS. Friday night is dinner out with our Sunday school class. Saturday I have classes at the scrapbook store and an afternoon movie trip to use the movie tickets that expire on the 22nd. Sunday I have a bridal shower to go to. I think next week I just have my night class and Bible study. Thanks be to God! I can see the light! Have a fabulous Tuesday and Wednesday!

Wonder Woman on the Edge

So, those of you who know me personally would probably describe me as busy. Most people do. They begin sentences with "I know you're really busy, but could you..." My answer is typically "Yes! What do you need and when." No More! I officially hit the point today that I feel I have to start refusing offers. This is going to kill me. I really like my reputation as a "go-to girl" and I am pretty darn good at getting the job done. Today, I reached capacity and I have literally been worried sick wondering how my family and I will survive the next 12 weeks. The morning started out great. I got to work, put my lunch in the fridge and started the computer. The server was down. Bad omen #1. My friend and coworker, Heather, stops to tell me that the text books for my class have arrived.

"For what class? The class I'm teaching in December?"

"No, your CDA class that starts tonight."

"The same class I taught last year that started in December?" (Panic is now setting in.)

"Yes, but we changed the schedule and it starts tonight. What did you think I was asking about when I asked if you were ready for your class last week?"

" I thought you were asking about my new Bible study on Wednesday nights!!!! Holy crap! I have nothing ready for a class that starts in less than 8 hours!"

The day declined rapidly from there. I rearranged my afterwork appoinments to the afternoon and managed to be back to work in time for said class. We did an icebreaker activity, introductions, and a very brief overview of the course. I had gone home to email my syllabus and course outline to work, but the stupid server at the university wouldn't let my attachments through. What the hell?!?!?

I honestly don't care that the class started 12 weeks earlier than I was anticipating and it will be nice to have the extra money for Christmas and bills. It's just that I'm a planner, and I really wanted to do some tweaking and updating of my course that is not going to be possible now.

I also would have never signed up for a Wednesday night Bible study that lasts through Christmas had I known that I'd be in class until 9:00 every Monday for the next 12 weeks. I am thinking that Greg will have to join a Bible study so he and Carson will at least be at the church with me on Wednesdays. Maybe we can have family time on the way there and back.

Carson and I will be attending the first meeting of a new Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group Thursday night. This will be a once a month commitment, thank goodness.

I also still play Bunco once a month. It often falls on the same week as MOPS and my scrapbooking group.

I don't mean to sound whiny, and I do realize that I have brought all of this, other than the unexpected class, upon myself. It's just that I love all of these things and hate to give anything up. Looking back, I can't believe I ever used to work full time and still got everything done. Of course, this is the first time I've had a full time and 2 part time jobs and several hobbies and group affiliations and a child. Woe is me tonight. I get a little bit sick to my stomach thinking about it all. What happened to the days when I could work 8 hours, go to class 6 hours, go "out" for 4 hours and sleep hardly at all. I feel the big 3-0 gaining on me fast. You'll know I've drowned in a sea of comittments if I don't blog again for awhile. Wish me luck and a few extra hours in the day. I need all the help I can get.

Back from the Beach!

Hello Readers! Just a note to let you know that I arrived home safely this evening. We had a fantastic time at the nearly empty beach and a great visit with Greg's aunt and uncle. Everything went smoothly on the drive down and back. Gas was scarce in Pensacola, but we managed to fill up for $2.54 a gallon with a brief, 25 minute wait at a WalMart gas station yesterday.

The devastation that Pensacola suffered from Hurricane Ivan last year is still evident everywhere. It was so bizarre to see huge boats marooned several miles inland and just left to rot. Houses were empty and left to decay all along the coast. Piles of debris still line the streets and crews work around the clock to continue clearing the roadsides where people are told to pile what remains of their homes and businesses. Two vehicles were literally lying in the middle of the beach half full of sand and rusting. I cannot imagine how long it will take New Orleans to recover, given the level of poverty there vs the affluence in Pensacola. If million dollar, insured beach homes still aren't repaired, I hate to think about what will happen to the homes of the impoverished in New Orleans. Greg's uncle said it can take years to move up the waiting list for a contractor. The power of nature is unbelievable.

Here are a few pics of my beach bums. When we woke up at the hotel in Alabama this morning, Carson said, "It's day! We get to go to the beach!" How I wish that were true, but it's also good to be home!