Summer '09

Well, Summer 2009 is pretty much over for us. Jon is going back to school tomorrow. He will speak with his advisor about his dissertation topic.

We had a great summer. One we will always remember.

I have been behind on my reading, but plan to get back into it soon.

Today, Jon and I stayed after church to listen to the Q & A session for the Anglican Missions of the Americas. It was interesting, and the lunch was good.

Afterward, I went to Kohl's to get a few things that I needed. I really like that store.

I came back home and rested. Then Jon and I went for a swim.

Later, Jon and I went to Target to get some things.

We are now getting things ready for the busy week that lies ahead. We will be figuring out what our weeks will be like now that Jon is back in school.

This means getting up earlier, etc.

Jon is teaching a music lab, taking piano, and dissertation hours.

We can look forward to having Labor Day off. Unfortunately, I have to work that weekend, so we won't be able to plan any quick getaways.

There's always another way...

For some strange reason, I have been unable to access Blogger at work. I have learned that I can send my blogs through email. I am very happy to have learned how this can be done.

I will probably update a lot more now! I am glad about this, since work sometimes makes me crazy. I need a place to escape sometimes.

I like reading the same book with Jon. I helps me read faster and not take as long to finish. We are trying to read a chapter each day of Dead Until Dark. I am not sure if we will read the whole series, since I have heard mixed reviews about the books.

It is taking some time for me to get used to this vampire stuff, since I usually read things that are realistic. This will be good from me to explore other genres.

I have considered starting a book club several times, but I am not sure if I could get everyone to agree on a book. I wouldn't mind it just being a group of people getting together just to talk about what they are currently reading. We would not necessarily have to read the same thing. Just having the common interest in books and reading would be enough for me.

I may try to revive this idea.

Well, this is my first post via email! I am so excited to be blogging again!

Not too much happening...

We have been doing well. Work is better. Jon starts school next week.

I made pizza this past weekend. It was fun, but lots of work. I made a Neo-Neapolitan pizza dough from scratch. Then I made New Haven Clam Pizza. It was so good! The dough was what took the most time to make. I have three other dough balls in the freezer, so it will be easier for at least three more times.

The book I used was American Pie: My Search For the Perfect Pizza. I check it out from my local public library.

I finished the first book in the Big Stone Gap series by Adriana Trigiani. I would like to read the wholes series, but will have to take a break. Jon wants to read Dead Until Dark, so that is what I will read next. We want to try reading the same book, so we can talk about it. I guess it will be like having our own little mini book club. I'm excited!

We had a very nice and relaxing weekend. I did not feel like doing much. It was nice to have both Saturday and Sunday off.

Jon surprised me today by coming to get me for lunch. We went to Izzo's.

He made a great chili in the slow cooker tonight. I am so proud of him. I am glad that I was able to step back and let him do it. This is something that I usually make, but I have been so busy.

Jon is so great about helping me around the house. Housework is the last thing I feel like doing, when I am off.

I love my husband so much!

Saturday night thoughts

It is important for couples to support each other through thick and thin. I must always be sure to provide Vita lots of encouragement and an open ear when she has a difficult day at work. I think one of the most positive things about being married is having your spouse there for you. I always feel better when I discuss something that's bothering me with Vita. It's always important to talk about the things that make you feel upset-I think it helps.
I'm very sorry that Vita had a difficult day at work but I'm glad that I can be there for her when the day is through. We can give each other the strength to go on.

Anywhere, but here....

I am ready to get out of Baton Rouge and Louisiana. Once Jon gets his Ph.D., we are out of here.

I thought Thursday was bad. Today was even worse. I am not very happy with my job right now.

People don't think the rules apply to them. When they are told to follow them, they get mad. Then I get harassed and told that I "don't know how to talk to people."

Which really means that they just don't like being told that they can't do something.

Well, when I have to say the same thing over and over to the same people, I'm not going to be Little Miss Sunshine. Sorry!

I have people still pissed off about things that happened 6 months ago. I'm just doing my job. I did not create the policies, but I have to enforce them.

I am tired of being harassed by adults that act like children and parents that believe the untruths their children tell them then lash out at me.

I have been there for one year and 8 months. I have tried everything to get these children to read books, but they are not interested. They want to play video games on the computer. I have to constantly tell them that they cannot play violent games. It is policy. They don't understand why they can't.

Before I was even hired, there was a murder across the street. A man was standing over the dead body laughing. About six months ago, a man was shot and killed in the street only one block away.

Violence does not need to be encouraged.

Everyone says that it will be like this anywhere I go. I am willing to risk it and learn that fact on my own.

Some good things are:

I have a loving and supportive husband.

Great friends.

Employment. Even if it is a crappy time right now. An income is nice.

Dreams of living in a new place, where people know how to behave. One can dream, right?

The Mitchell's Go to Virginia

Jon and I went to Virginia last weekend to visit Jon's family. It was our first visit as a married couple. An ice cream social was held in our honor.

How we got there is a pretty interesting story, since we did not have a car.

I was able to get a really good deal on airfare, so we flew to Raleigh, NC.

We turned in the rental last Thursday. Our friend, Dustin, met us at Enterprise and drove us to the New Orleans airport.

Our connecting flight was in Atlanta, but there was bad weather and ground control issues in Atlanta. We were really delayed, which caused us to loose our connection in Atlanta.

We had lunch at Moe's and then went to our gate and waited.

We got to fly in first class or business class, as they now call it. It was pretty cool. I made being very late, not so bad. I loved that we got drinks before take off, and all those little things.

We finally got into Raleigh around 9 PM. I can't remember exactly. I got to see my aunt, uncle, and cousin for about 5 minutes. They live in Raleigh. Nathan and Kara came to pick us up, and we drove 4 hours to get to Pounding Mill, VA. We got to the Mitchell house around around1:30 or 2:30 AM. What a journey!

Day 1: Friday, consisted of a drive to Emory and Henry College, where Nathan will begin college in the fall. Both Jon and Tina attended E & H, before transferring to Millsaps College. It was nice to finally get to see the campus after hearing so much about it.

Day 2: On Saturday everyone was preparing for the ice cream social that evening. Jon's 3 brothers set up at tent, so they could perform live music to entertain everyone. They were great.

It was nice to see the people I had already met. I also enjoyed meeting all the new people that came to share in our joy.

Day 3: On Sunday we went to church. Then we drove to Bluefield, West Virginia. We had lunch at a place called Macado's, then we walked around the mall. I really wanted to go to Belk, so I could spend my gift cards. I got a few place settings of my stainless, got what was left of the Fiestaware place settings that were on my registry, and I got the towels that I wanted. It was a successful trip!

Monday was spent on the road. We hopped in Jon's old car and drove it back here. It is so nice to have a car again.

We had a great trip.

Blogger for My Sanity

Blogger continues to be inaccessible at work. Today, I could have really used some "blog therapy."

Just when things calm down at work, something else happens. I am tired of saying the same stuff over and over, especially to the same people. I am also tired of adults behaving like children.

So much for being a beacon of hope for the community. This beacon is about to burn out!