Here We Come A Wassailing...

Friday morning, in the bitter cold, we took the kids Christmas caroling around town. We were a little short staffed so believe me when I say that at the end of this day I had lost 15 years off my life. We began walking toward main street which is not too far from where the school is and already we had kids crying. We went to a few places and the kids did a great job with their songs (Rudolph and Two Front Teeth).

We were winding down our day when we decided to stop one last time at one of the banks. This particular bank had escalators you had to go up in order to be inside the actual bank. A lot of these children had never ridden, let alone seen an escalator before. So the first teacher takes a couple of kids up the escalator, the second teacher puts one on the escalator and she started to fall back so she jumped on with her leaving me alone at the bottom of the escalator with the rest of the kids.

I was still herding kids inside off the sidewalk when I look up to see a mass of kids just run at the escalator. This is where the traumatic experiences begin. I see just a mass of arms and legs all going the wrong way. Feet are moving up the escalator before heads were and children were screaming as they reached for me. This made the children at the bottom of the escalator very scared so they burst out into tears. I felt like turning around and running out the door.

Now as I look back my sick sense of humor makes me laugh hysterically at the situation. At the time, however, I felt like pulling out my hair.

Maybe I should have been born a frat boy?

Tonight I'm skipping the gym! That's right Internet, I said it. It's too cold, I'm tired, I'm hungry, I'm making excuses. Currently I'm watching an old Christmas cartoon on t.v., I love those shows.
I just made myself dinner- well... it wasn't that difficult, I made a cheese quesadilla and opened a bottle (glass bottle-that's right, I'm swanky) of coke. Colby is having a late night at the studio, so I'm thinking it might be a video game night.

In other news: 17 more days until I get to go home!!! YAY!

This cartoon is creepy...

Happy Turkey Day!

Once again I've made it to another Thanksgiving. Each year it seems to show up so soon and just like that, it's gone. Although I won't be spending this Thanksgiving with my parents, siblings, or in-laws I am going to be spending Thanksgiving with my Husband. What more could a girl ask for?

This Thanksgiving we will be spending with our friends Ben and Nichole. They're in the same boat we're in- no family and in grad school. Ben works with Colby in the art department. Nichole is going to grad school for Psychology. I want to go back to school...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Obama/ Biden 08

Is proud of America and everyone who made it out to vote. I'm ready for change.

Jeepers Creepers-Where'd you get those peepers?

Today was the Halloween party at school. I dressed up as a rag doll. It was a crazy day, complete with puking, peeing, crying, and eating. Yes, all the things that really make a true party. I realized that adult parties, and children parties are a lot alike in many ways.

There's the drink that everyone is interested in and eventually that leads to some form of bodily fluids strewn about.

The fighting over someones properties such as: a spouse, keys to your car, or a paper plate mask that you worked so hard on until it was ruined by the kid who thinks he's a dinosaur and your mask ended up being in the "destruction zone."

The clothing that always ends up missing at the end of the party. Like the shirt you lose because "It's too effing hot to breathe"- plus you like the way the wind hits you, or the spiderman belt that keeps your pants up... That could go either way.

Yes all in all it was an interesting day.

My name would be socz...

I was watching a show tonight on television that was about "gangsters" (I love those kind of shows), and they were listing all the names of the "gangsters". A funny image popped into my head of all the guys sitting around in their makeshift forts discussing what they wanted to be called.

I.E:

" So I was thinking maybe I should be called wicked, but not wicked with one k, Wickked with 2 k's. Cause I'm not effin' around homes."

"Nice, I really like that idea Wickked with 2 k's. I was thinking since my name is Tommy, I should just tack on Gun to the end. I mean it's pretty simple, everyone would remember it, it looks good in ink, and I can spell it."

It's really a funny vision in my head. I just felt the need to share it.

The Potty Pants Brigade.

I feel like that's what the ladies I work with, and myself should be called. We walk around with our rubber gloves like doctors preparing for the most intricate of surgeries. Days when there aren't potty pants are like days when you find washed money in the pocket of your favorite jeans.

Good times...

Hello.

Dear Readers,

I'm sitting in on a Friday night listening to pandora radio online *love it* when I should be doing a bit of cleaning. I'm trying to keep everyone up to date on events here in Washington and back home. My dad has made it out of the hospital and back home. Doctors are working on his test results, but it looks pretty good. He has to go to get medication fixed next week. Thanks for all the prayers.

I had a pretty exciting day! We took the preschool on a field trip to the County Fair. :) It's a lot like the fairs back home, except one little thing. No funnel cakes. NO FUNNEL CAKES! I realize they're terrible for you, but it's soul food. Anything that is bad for the body, but you absolutely love can be considered soul food in my opinion. Oreos are in that category too, by the way. Instead they have something North Westerners like to call "Elephant Ears". I happen to think funnel cakes sound so much more humane.

I spent my day chasing fly away balloons, and consoling those who's balloons could not be saved. It's such a harsh world.

Love,
-C

Happy Birthday Mimsy!

Yesterday was my Mimsy's birthday. I won't tell how old you are. I wish I could have been home and spent it with you!

There was a little drama that came with the big day. My dad was doing a routine check up at the doctor's where he ended up having a couple of seizures. They put him into ICU because of complications and are now running tests to see what may have caused this. I talked to him this morning though and he seems to be feeling much better. Prayers are always appreciated.

Sweet Dreams,

-C

Normally it's the other way around...

Normally my husband is the one who's up late. Lately I haven't been able to kick this crazy sleep pattern that I'm in. It's 1:15 a.m and I am WIDE AWAKE. I'm thinking about cleaning the downstairs while Colby is asleep.

There is something about being awake when everyone else in the house is asleep that I just don't like. I tend to be the one who's asleep fairly early, but on occasion have been known to stay up late. It's a lonely feeling for me. I do perfectly fine during the day when Colby is out to school, but at night it's so quiet and in my mind everyone I know is sleeping. Sometimes nights are the hardest. I miss my family very much, but haven't broke down. I'm looking forward to being able to see them very soon.

I start my job at the preschool on Monday. I thought for sure tonight I would go to bed around 10 p.m., and here it is going on 1:30 a.m. and I'm contemplating putting the DVDs in alphabetical order. If I continue writing this will be a bigger ramble session then it's turned out to be.

Good Night.

These are a few of my favorite things.

I must say that this is probably my favorite time of the year. It has been raining for a few days here in Washington and this morning when I woke up there was a big rainbow outside my bedroom window. This time of the year is so exciting because all the things I love are rapidly approaching.

September it starts getting cool again and I can wear long sleeve shirts and jeans. October is fantastic because I LOVE decorating and all the festivals that go on and the smells that go along with it: Caramel Apples, Cinnamon, Apple Cider, and Hazelnut. I LOVE fall. Colby informs me that we'll not have a "fall" here in Washington. I'm going to attempt to make it as 'fall' like as possible.

November- MY 25th birthday is coming up and I'm feeling like there might be a 'quarter life' crisis to go along with that. :) I told Colby that might include needing to buy a Mini Cooper. It's also Thanksgiving time- which will be a little sad this year considering we won't get our home cooked family meals. I think we have something planned for Thanksgiving though, we might go to Seattle. It will be our first Thanksgiving alone together and as nice as it would be to be with our families we are a family now so that will be nice.

December- What can I say?! I'm so excited for December because that means we'll be going back home. I'm so excited to see everyone again. I miss everyone SO much! And in January I'm going to Puerto Rico for 10 days! Amazing.

Char-Marie-1. Insurance Company- 0.

Since I was hospitalized in February I have been fighting with the insurance company to pay my medical bills to no avail. I had been calling every day and talking with "Jim" the insurance guy and really feeling like I was losing this major battle. Yesterday I awoke just like every morning and went down stairs to start the round of calls I would have to make that day to see if anything was being done. *Keep in mind this is more than 5 months later and the hospitals wanted their money...

I called my mom and discussed my options, my grandma called and I had another 'vent session', I talked to Colby in tears because I felt like I was at the end of my rope. We had just received another 500.00 bill to be paid upon receipt. One of those. I didn't know what we were going to do. Here I am looking for a new job in a new place, away from family and "Jose" from St. Joseph hospital wants his money, BUT "JIM" from insurance is giving him the finger and I'm trying to run intercept.

Well, I had just sat down to start filling out the complaint form against the insurance company, fully intent on running them into the ground... when Jim called,

JIM: "Hiiiii this is Jim (in a nasal-y voice) and I wanted to let you know that I did receive your fax and wanted to let you know that the claims department decided to pay 100%."

Just like that. Very nonchalant, like this life changing event didn't just take place in his little mind.

ME: "WHAT?! SHUT UP! Are you serious JIM!"

JIM: "Yeah. It should be going through sometime next week."

ME: "I LOVE YOU JIM! MY HUSBAND LOVES YOU JIM!"

JIM: "That's quite alright Ma'am"


That insurance company doesn't know how close that really was....Good job Jim, you saved your company.

Yeeessssssssssssssssssssssss!

I miss my girl!

As most of you know Maggie is my little lovebug. I love Macee an equal amount, but Maggie has grown to be very attached to her Auntie Bub. When I went down to Aurora to see the family everything would stop and she didn't pay attention to anyone else. Her second birthday is coming up and soon after she'll be moving back to Tennessee. I won't get to see the girls again until Christmas.

This is so HARD! Every time I call to talk to the family she finds out I'm on the phone and starts bawling. She tries to talk to me on the phone, but often it ends in tears.

Wa-Wa-Wa-Washington!!!

Colby and I are officially moved into our townhouse here on Washington State University Campus. I just have to say that I was a little nervous about being away from family, but I think we'll do just fine. It's so pretty here and the air is sweet. I definitely miss everyone, but right now there are so many things to do that I'm trying to keep my mind off of it.

I'm currently searching for a job. It looks like I might be a substitute teacher for the first year here in Washington, but maybe that's for the better. I'll have an opportunity to look into all the schools and see which school I'd like to be a part of next year.

Colby and I set up his studio here on campus tonight. He's got a pretty sweet little space. I'm extremely proud of him.

*I'll be posting pictures periodically.

Leaving on a Jet Plane....

Just a quick little note to let everyone know what's going on.

I am leaving in five days to move across the country to Washington. It's getting very real very quick. I will still be blogging when we get to Washington. I will post lots of pictures. The blogging will be more frequent there because I know my family will want to know what's going on.

See ya!

You say Worshington, I say Washington...

This weekend we had a going away party at my in-laws house. We had a fish fry and everyone came out to party with us before we left- It was a good time had by all. After everyone had been talking for a while my mom spoke up:

MOM: "So Char, you're going to Pullman, Washington, not Pulling?"

Me: "Mom, are you just figuring this out?"

Mom: "Well I thought that's what you've been saying."

Me: "No mom. We're going to Pullman, not Pulling."

Mom: "I didn't say Pulling. I said Pullin'. "

Me: "Oh, I'm sorry, drop the G. We're moving to Pullman, Washington mom. Not Pullin' Worshington!"


You gotta love her!
I love you Mimsy!

Back to School...

So, summer school has started. I went from fifth graders who know how to use the restroom properly to preschoolers....That's right folks I said it, PRESCHOOL!!! Yesterday was my first day and I was a little excited about having the younger kids again, but after the my day was over I was questioning if I even wanted to have my own children. I forgot how exhausting it was to have the little ones. I MISS my fifth graders. I think I'm a fifth grade teacher at heart.

And the school year comes to an end...

Sometimes we're meant to reach certain people in our lives. I feel that I've accomplished that task with a few of my students and even if it's only a small few it is very worth the effort. Friday was my last day of school with my kids and it was a very sad day for me. It turned out to be a sad day for all of us. From the moment the kids strolled in on Friday morning one of my girls burst into tears... I had been crying the night before and early that morning. It was a feeling of pride/sadness my chest felt like it had been put in a vice grip.

By the end of the day we were all crying, boys included. I will miss this group of kids SO much. They've definitely left their mark on me, I can only hope they'll look back on fifth grade and remember me. They're writing me through e-mail right now, but they have my new Washington address on stationary that I got for them so they can send me snail mail. I still have a teacher from 3rd grade that I write back and forth with. She's partly responsible for my career path.

Across the Universe....

On another note.....

My wonderful husband got accepted into grad school. As of now it looks like we'll be headed to Pullman, Washington. I'll keep updating-- Wish us luck!


Char-Marie

A thinner me....

Alright let's see.... I know what you're going to say, "YOU SAID YOU'D BE START WRITING EVERY NIGHT!!!" Well you probably wouldn't be that distraught, but I can pretend.

I've been through A LOT the past few weeks. I just got out of a two week stay in the hospital and it was extremely rough. I got sick on February 10th and two days later I was admitted into the Butler Hospital with a extreme viral infection. I was supposed to be getting better with the fluid they were giving me, but I got a lot worse that night and by the next evening I was taken by ambulance to a Kansas City hospital where I stayed 8 days. Within 20 minutes of being there they told my family that I was dangerously low on potassium. *kidney failure/brain damage low. While I was in the hospital I lost 20 pounds and threw up everyday....I went through rigorous tests and my white count fell to 2000, the normal amount is 5000. When I was released I was taken to my parents house to "recover" *because my husband had to work and couldn't be home with me* While I was home I started throwing up again and was back in the hospital the next day. I spent 7 days in that hospital as well. I continued throwing up all through that hospital stay as well and they ended up having to give me a nasal gastric tube.... Which is a polite way of saying they greased up a tube and shoved it up my nose and down into my stomach. It was the most horrible experience I've ever had and it makes me anxious even thinking about it.

I had my stomach pumped through my nose because all that time of being sick and in bed my stomach stopped working because all that time I wasn't eating. To make a long horrible story short.......I'm so glad to be back on the road to recovery.

One and Two and Three and....

Dear Readers,

Ok ok.... I know I wasn't back every night like I said I would be, but this is a start right? Thank you for the comments, I really had thought everyone had forgot about this site! I've been stretching like I said I would be and although it's tough right now, a positive mental attitude is really what I need to get me through. Sometimes I feel horrible about even complaining and many nights I've stayed awake crying because I know that SO many more people have pain much worse. I am my own worst enemy at times.

One thing I know for sure is that without my amazing husband I would be in a much worse shape. He is absolutely my saving grace. He has stayed up with me night after night, he pushes me to my limits, and I adore him. I am a lucky woman, blessed in so many ways.

My families... Mom, Dad, Mary Beth, and Bryan are also a huge support.

xxox,

Char-Marie

Macee Scott

Back Pain, Shmack Pain....

Dear Readers,

It has been a long time since I've written in my blog. I know I say this all the time, but I've been so busy. Tonight I was sitting on the couch like I have been the past few nights and realized...this isn't busy! I have been extremely sick this month and am feeling better now, however, I haven't had time to really rest since I've gone back to work. I have really been struggling with my back pain lately. I sometimes feel at the end of the my rope with it. I've been to doctor after doctor, had injection after injection.....this February will be one year of dealing with this pain- that NEVER goes away. It has been constant since the first time it started hurting. I don't know what the doctors are going to do, but I am trying to trust that they will figure something out. I think I might start updating every night...For a while this may be the most boring posts ever, but I'm going to use this for an outlet.

In family news - Colby and I will be expecting to find out whether or not he's made it into grad school in the next week or so. We'll be hearing from 2 schools. The other schools will follow later on next month.
UPDATE: Stori has had her 2nd baby Macee Scott and she is adorable. She looks just like her momma. Life seems to be flying by.

I'm having a great time with my students and learning more about myself every day :)

xxox
Love,

Char-Marie