Idiots

 For the first time in nearly 15 years, I am now cooking on a fully functioning cooktop. In our previous house, the back burner never worked correctly. When we moved into this home, I quickly learned that the front burner only worked on what we quickly dubbed 'burn your face off mode.' I'm used to adapting, so purchasing a new cooktop was never a top priority.

Last weekend our stovetop stopped working entirely, prompting a new purchase. Despite issues and confusion over our electricity, the appliance was installed on Saturday. My goodness it looks pretty in my kitchen, and having four fully-functioning burners feels like an exciting novelty.  To our delight, the 'power boil' feature does actually boil water nearly 3 minutes faster than its counterpart. (We spent Saturday night boiling water with timers.)

Yesterday morning Scott and I were awoken to the sound of Timmy vomiting. Initially worried that he was ill, we quickly realized that he had eaten too many Spicy Nacho Doritos before going to bed, and they did not sit well. Unfortunately he did not make it to the bathroom, and deposited bright orange nacho cheese vomit in the center of his large floor rug.

After getting Timmy settled, Scott and I moved the furniture off of the rug and lugged it outside to rinse it down with the hose. It was as we were schlepping the heavy, dripping wet area rug to lay it out to dry in the sun, I realized that we are complete idiots.  

We could have just used the carpet cleaner.  Neither Scott nor I thought of it. Instead, we created a lot of work for ourselves.

For those who are asking, I still haven't heard about the license issue.  Fingers crossed. 

 

Frustrated

 My new employee orientation is now complete. Let me tell you, it has been a long time since I attended seminars and lectures for three solid days. I'm exhausted from sitting and listening, and I'm frustrated and nervous about the unsettled contract issues. At this point, I feel like I have provided everything needed and it is out of my hands. I am planning on returning to work full-time next week Wednesday when the rest of the school staff report- I hope my badge works. 

Yesterday we were supposed to have our new flat top stove installed. Unfortunately, the breaker that we currently have is 60 amp and the cook top requires 40. I was able to find an electrician to come on Saturday to do the breaker work, but I will admit that the delay is frustrating. It's always something I suppose.

Today is going to be hot, which means I'll be inside. I have a lengthy to-do list I want to tackle before the school year starts. Time is dwindling, I need to get on it!

Have a great weekend. 

 

No News

 As the day wore on my anxiety started to lessen. Each ping of my email sent up a mild panic alarm, but I as the hours began to tick away I came to realize that I was not going to receive an answer quickly. While I hope that this professional opportunity works out, I am comfortable with the decisions I have made. Because I haven't heard otherwise, I plan on going to new employee orientation today. If I am turned away I will have my answer, but I suspect (and hope) that a compromise will be made.

Today will be spent in new employee meetings. Am I looking forward to it? No. But this is also the first step towards returning to the students, so I am going to embrace the opportunity. 

Fingers crossed, and have a great day! 

 

Anxiety

 Quelling my anxiety has proven untenable. Because of a combination of reasons, I have been a bundle of anxiety and nerves since Thursday. Thankfully I talked through the biggest issue through yesterday with Scott, identifying the pros and cons of each move. We aren't sure if we are making the best decision, but I feel comfortable that it is the best decision for us at this time in our life.  Today I will communicate the decision and accept the consequences.

Yikes! Just typing that sentenced caused my anxiety to leap. Being an adult is so hard!

When I haven't been trying to escape from my own angst, I spent the weekend dehydrating tomatoes and freezing broccoli. Scott and I went to our favorite farm market on Saturday and scored a freezer worth of food for $95.  Unfortunately, in the middle of blanching my broccoli my flat top stove popped and then died. Ugh!

As luck would have it, I remembered seeing the perfect replacement in the 'scratch and dent' bin at the appliance store when we were shopping for our refrigerator a few weeks ago. We hopped into the car and it was still there and it's the perfect fit. We are going to have our new cook top installed on Thursday. At the rate our appliances are all breaking, I'll have a brand new kitchen by Labor Day.

 Wish me luck today. I am feeling very nervous and scared.  Thanks! 

Penny Slots

 Yesterday Scott and I did something completely out of our norm- we went to the casino! In our 26 years together (22 married), we have never been to a casino just to have fun and play the slots. When he suggested the activity, inspired by game play with Timmy at Dave and Buster's arcade, I was delighted because it was outside of our norm. 

Because we don't frequent casinos, we were definitely out of our element. After walking around for about 30 minutes, we finally broke down and solicited help from the casino cashier. She filled us in on how the machines worked, and pointed us in the direction of the penny slots. 

We budgeted $100 for the evening because we wanted to make sure that we didn't go overboard. We ended up coming back home four hours later with $39.79.  $60 for four hours of fun and free sodas was definitely a fun anniversary gift to ourselves. 

 

Anniversary

 Happy Anniversary Scott!

22 years ago.  I think this is where I am supposed to write that it feels like yesterday. In reality, when I look at our photos it feels like I barely recognize that energetic and optimistic young lady wearing the wedding dress. So much has changed in our lives. We have both changed so much and, while I don't really recognize that version of myself anymore, I'm so glad that she made that decision 22 year ago. Happy Anniversary Scott!

Yesterday was long as it was spent in new employee orientation. I came home feeling overwhelmed with the various information I need to secure from the recesses of my life. When I confirmed with the organizer that I would need to track down an employer from 1997, the young whippersnapper next to me felt compel to add the fun fact that he had not yet been born 'way back before the internet'. 

I sent a mental 'bite me' his way while smiling my sweet old lady grin.  

Spa Day

 The weather over the past few days has been gorgeous. With a break from the heat and the humidity, we've been able to ride bikes, fly drones and light up the fire pit almost nightly. While we have all enjoyed the outdoor activities, Timmy has truly hit his stride.

He is loving flying his drone. Although he received it over a year ago, I think it was forgotten when Scott had his heart attack. Somehow, mastering flight slipped to the back burner until I rediscovered his drone while cleaning.It did not take much encouragement for Timmy to start flying!

After a few YouTube videos, Timmy has been refining his skills. Unfortunately he did lose control on Saturday evening. While trying to land on my hand, the drone ended up tangled in my hair. Timmy was trying to control it with the remote, but the device was either not responding or I was the victim of a panicked pilot. 

Despite everyone's best efforts, a drone cannot simply be detangled from one's hair. The hair was chopped as it was consumed by the drone. Thankfully only one quadrant made contact with my hair and I 'only' lost about a 1 inch section down to the scalp.  It was definitely not the spa day I was dreaming of!