Via: Online Schools

I am a published author.

Got the letter and the first-run author's copy of Thresholds and Other Ruminations last week.  It's taken me this long to come down from the cloud I've been perched on.

I shared my copy with folks who are important at work:  the English Department.  We are all very cool people, and we know how to properly use our swear words.  I also shared it with Loree the psych teacher and Miggs the French teacher, and I asked them all to keep it on the DL. 

We shall see.  I also programmed that First Amendment Lawyer into my phone, in the event they summons me to the HR office at 3:20 again.  Actually, Gurnie said to never go to a meeting without representation...so I won't this next time.

I keep wanting to come clean with my Principal so he isn't shocked when he finds out.  I want him to know that I didn't publish this to stick it to him...but to help other teachers and people who might have similar phobias and issues.  I wanted to honor my former and present students for being the troopers that they are.   I wanted to speak my mind in the present tense.

*sigh*

Funny how such a good thing could become such a bad thing.  I need my job now.  I can't afford to pursue my doctoral dream quite yet, and we just got a new house mortgage because of our sudden fire tragedy.

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.

The Shake Down

Evidently, when you claim a total loss, it becomes a red flag to the IRS that  you want to be audited.  So, we are NOT getting that chunk of change back after all.  Hubby read the 2009 tax code front to back, and we decided it would not be to our benefit to even mention the fire in our taxes. 

So, let the living on the edge commence:  never having enough money to buy shit you want, and sometimes not even having enough money to get what you need.  Oh well, it's the story of my life so why should it change just because I'm nearly a half century old?

Careful For What You Wish

God.  She works in mysterious ways. 

 Apparently, when you lose everything in a fire, Uncle Sam has a heart.  We will be getting a nice chunk of change back in a couple weeks; once everything shakes out. 

Enough where I can get that iPad, that mo-ped AND pay the final payment on the first Thresholds.

Let the adventure begin.

Da Bombshell

I want a $499 (or more) Apple iPad.  No longer do I simply desire an iPhone.  I want the motherlode.

Speaking of mothers, mine has an obsession with small technology gadgets also.  We want tiny things that go beep and light up and store factlets about our busy lives.

 Steve Jobs and the iPad Intro in Jan. of 2010

Blatant promotion for Apple, so I expect a check in the mail, Steve.

Speaking of checks...our appointment with the tax accountant is inn 3 hours and hubby is searching frantically through our paperwork.  We hope to get a nice refund to augment the check we AREN'T getting from the family member who embezzled from us.

We need more money more money more money.  We have NOTHING in savings, and we need a basement finished, a garage, a sun porch and a deck built.  Hmmmmmmmm.  Dreams.  We have dreams.

We also have bills.  Medical bills resulted in a hike in premiums for the little guy.  Figures, fucking insurance companies and big business that rules the world.

OK.  I am a consumer and I am a bitcher.  I can have it my way.  

If I Grow Up

I wanna be Dr. Ruth, plain and simple.  Except I wanna take advantage of the Internet and sit on my ass spreading the wealth.  Wealth = knowledge of one's own sexuality and healthy relationships therein.

I want the world to love more and hate less.  Is that so wrong?

Spring Break: Training the Humans

As I sit and hammer on the keyboard, Gordon sleeps between my feet on the floor.  The 8-week-old bundle of cuteness can shit on my foot, literally, and I will praise him for NOT shitting on the carpet. 

Actually, as I typed that, Gordon woke up and whimpered, so I took him outside immediately.  The little puggle pooped immediately!  Talk about PRAISE!  Good dog!  Way to go Gordon!

So it's officially Spring Break, where we have a week to train ourselves as to the needs of this new baby we have willingly brought into our household.  A $300 bundle of joy joy joy joy down in our hearts.