This what I like to do every Saturday morning. It's kind of bad in a way, sitting here, drinking coffee, laughing at all the funny blog posts. Especially when it is a beautiful fall day outside. I should be pulling weeds, putting together my Adirondack chairs, cleaning something, shopping, I'm even skipping my knitting group (:) right now cuz I would rather sit here in my pj's and blog! It's an addiction I tell ya! Maybe because I don't get to blog much during the week, I crave this time with my friends. But man I have a lot to do today! Oh well, I guess there are worse ways to spend your time. So, you all enjoy your weekends, I'll be right here blogging.

I still need to put sealant on it, and scrap off some grout that is globby. I can't clean it for 2 weeks, but here it is. Next is painting the walls, then I have to redo the enamel on the tub, it's scraping off. So, I will wait until all that is done before I take anymore pics. Oh, and I also need a new window curtain, clearly. So, what do you think?

What do you think of my new tile for my bathroom? It's glass mosaic. I designed the color pattern with the different colored squares. It's not really a pattern. On each sheet I put 5 different colored squares in at random. Half of it was put up today, the other half goes up tomorrow. I look at the half finished shower and like it one second, and really not all that sure the next. The guy putting it in for me said it is retro looking. I wasn't going for retro, but I think it works. Think yellow painted walls and a yellow tub.

This is my Dentist. I flirted with my dentist using this appointment card as my "in". I flirted with my dentist.

How I long for the days when flirting was easy. You know...when everyone was drunk!

My coffee dream.

Ok, I get terrified just thinking about the whole thing, which I think about quite a lot. Now that work has slowed down somewhat, I have more time to think. And more time to fight against the urge. I couple weeks ago, I saw a house for sale that was almost perfect. It is an old house, cute, lots of charm. It has a decent size front yard, big enough for my tables and chairs patio idea. The backyard could be bigger, but could fit a very small play area with tables all around it. Three nice rooms inside for tables etc. The kitchen would need a lot of work to turn it into a coffee place. The foundation is bad, but since I'm just dreaming, it doesn't matter. I talked to the owner, he was willing to rent it to me for cheaper than my mortgage, he said he would also work with me on the down payment. The house is already zoned as a business. So, my mind starts turning again. Of course I am MILES from being able to do anything. But I kept feeling this sense of terror! I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS BY MYSELF! I don't know how to start/run a business, why can't I let this drop?? I have always wanted a safe secure life..... Sigh. You'd think this would just die off, but not so far. Maybe I just like having a dream. Maybe I'm not suppose to do anything with this dream except dream. I don't know. I don't know.

It's a cold Fall-like day out there right now, so this is perfect for today. I made this last week in my beloved crockpot. It's called Caribbean Sweet Potato and Bean Stew. It is perfect for fall with the sweet potatoes and the jerk spices. Hope you try it, it is very different from any stew I have ever had. And beware, there is a little kick to it!

Ingredients:

2 med. sweet potatoes (about 1 pound), peeled (or not in my case) and cut into 1-inch cubes

2 cups frozen cut green beans

1 can (15oz) black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (14 1/2 oz) vegetable broth

1 small onion, sliced

2 tsp Caribbean jerk seasoning

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted

* To toast almonds, spread in single layer on baking sheet. Bake in preheated 350 degrees oven 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently. (or in my case I bought a can of toasted almonds and just sliced them)

Combine sweet potatoes, beans, broth, onion, jerk seasoning, thyme, salt and cinnamon in crockpot. Cover; cook on low 5 to 6 hours or until veges are tender. Adjust seasonings. Serve Almonds on top when ready to eat.

Every year in the Springs during Labor Day Weekend, we have a Balloon Classic. I never seem to get up early to see it. You have to try and be there at 6am just to get a decent parking spot. The balloons go up around 7am. They even have a Balloon Glow at night, but the last time I tried to make that, that was when I lived close enough to walk, it was just over when Rooby and I arrived. Oh well. Saturday morning I had to get up early enough to make a golf tee time, so at 7:30 I saw these guys. So pretty. I still vow to get to the actual event one of these years. Heck, I have only lived here 11 years!

How do you like my new hair cut? I am getting bolder in my old age, and actually letting my hair stylist do what she wants to. This is a lot shorter than I have had in a while, and the back is shorter than the front. I can actually do my hair with a blow dryer and a round brush! So easy, I have never had that before....never!

Now....my face. Is it just me or am I looking my age now.:(

I forgot the guest of honor, and of course my children! My Grampa (yes Carey, the one with the Mushroom Belts) is 92 years old!

The top pic is of my favorite B-day gift! I used it for my trip to SD. It is so me, I love it! I went home for my Grampa's 92nd B-day. We had a big family reunion complete with Grandparents, Aunts & Uncles, Cousins, and second Cousins. It was quite eventful and loud! It was great to see so many people I don't see often at all. The next day, I met up with Karen, Mel, Suree, and Cher to hike Crow Peak. I included some scenery pics, but sadly I often forget to take pics of people! It was a great hike, and very pretty....and HOT! I did not take any pics from the night I spent in RC, which I could kick myself for. I brought the camera but it never came out, so I have nothing to document the time. It was very heart fulfilling for me to spend time with my very bestest of friends, however Carey was missed! I absolutely love being around people who truly love me for me, and I don't have to be anything else. Thanks everyone for a great trip to the BH's.

38!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:/

Check out the skill!

Yum-oooooo!!!!

I am adding to the recipes! I made two things tonight that were easy and heavenly! My two favorite things.

Recipe #1: Spunky Spareribs

5 to 6 lbs. spareribs
1 can (6oz) frozen orange juice, undiluted
2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp garlic powder

1. I put the spareribs in the crockpot and sprinkled all spice on it (Lawrys)
2. Combine juice, W-sauce, and garlic powder, the pour over and spread on ribs
3. Cook on slow all day

Recipe #2: Twice-Baked Potatoes

8 medium baking potatoes
1/4 stick margarine
1/2 tsp salt
1 can Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup
1 tbs chopped dried chives

1. Bake potatoes until done. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise; scoop out insides leaving a thin shell. With mixer, whip potatoes with margarine and salt.
2. Gradually add soup and chives; beat until light and fluffy.
3. Spoon into shells. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Work, work, work............................... That seems to be all I am doing at the moment. I haven't stopped, until today that is, since I got back from Virgina. Last weekend I worked the whole weekend, and have been at work late every night for the past 2 weeks. I haven't been getting home earlier that 7pm!! We are in the middle of getting everything ready for the new school year, and it has been non stop for all of us. I have had some time to sneak a few things in between. I participated in our works first Golf Challenge, and my team almost won! Which, heh, tells you something. I thought I took pics of that with my phone, but I guess I forgot to save them. The pictures at the bottom are of deer I have seen lately. We seem to have deer everywhere right now, and mountain lions, but thankfully I haven't seen any of those. The two pics through the window is of a deer I saw through my office window when a few of us were working late. I tried to stand on my desk and lift up the blinds to get a better pic, but he took off when I did that. But up until then, he seemed to just stare right into my soul. It was pretty cool. The other deer picture is from a place called El Pomar, a historic mansion that holds trainings for nonprofits. I was in a supervisors training all day, but at lunch we saw this momma deer and her two babies lounging under some cherry trees. Very cute. The phone couldn't zoom in very well. And of course, I had to share some pictures of my time in Virgina with Karen and fam.

Shopping with Karen:)



Always an adventure, no matter where we have gone so far, but today's shopping trip was something else. Generally we had a great girl time, and came home exhausted from power walking from store to store. I had been dying to go into this store call Steve & Berry's because that is a good place to get the Bitten Line from Sarah Jessica Parker, so in we went. Karen had been back in the dressing room for quite sometime, and came back empty handed. Then she saw some cute shorts. She wanted to try them on, but didn't want to go back to the dressing room because, as she put it, a really mean guy there. We ran to a few of those mean people during my trip so far, but that is a story for another time. So, she announces, I am just going to try them on here, be my look out! We were in a corner of the store, and not many people were over there at the time, so I'm thinkin, alright! We stood behind a jewelry tower that was pretty wide, and I stood at the side to block people from view. We also looked around for any visible cameras, didn't see any. Karen whips her own shorts off, and tried on the first pair. Worked like a charm. Then she tried on another pair of shorts, but this time a worker was in the area. He was folding things on the opposite side of the jewelry rack, but was a little distance away. So, I really needed to be on my guard. I positioned myself both to shield and so that I could move quickly if he started to come this direction. My mind was racing, I need to think of a snappy question to deter his attention if he moves this way. Then suddenly he turned, and advanced in our direction, I'm thinkin Yikes! What do I ask?! Then just as suddenly he turned back around. I turned to Karen, who had successfully gotten her shorts back on. Disaster overted!

In the car, on our way home, Karen told me that she was wearing thongs!

Yeah know, I wish I could figure out why I can't seem to line pictures straight down! Anyway, just wanted to show that I do have more than weeds in my flower beds. Most of my poor flowers are being over powered by tall mean greedy weeds as we speak. I did spend 3 hours in the blazing sun trying to weed and then lay down bark. I really did get a lot done, but it STILL doesn't seem that way considering how many flower beds I have. I may add pics of what I accomplished little later. I love my flowers, but why oh why do weeds need to be a part of things!

I started golfing through work this year. Man am I rusty!! With golf, I have found, if you don't keep playing, you quickly lose skills. I discovered that a couple of ladies from work like to golf, but are as bad as I am, so when our fitness committee announced a golf challenge we jumped at the chance. Through work, we have two practice nights and then a Scramble in August. During the first practice, it was very evident that I need to hit the driving range more often. So, my work friend, Karen and her hubby met me at the driving range last Thur. night and we practiced. Her husband was great about giving us pointers without making us feel like inept girls. It was also evident that I need to ditch the rummage sale clubs and get a set built for a woman. I borrowed Karen's clubs for some swings, and was pleasantly surprised at the difference it made. Big 5, here I come! I am so glad to be golfing again, really helps me to be not so mental;).

I am going to get fat now. Seriously, have you tried the Oatmeal Cookie Dough by Ben & Jerry's?! Probably not what I needed today, but it does help. Well, except for the figure....sigh.

No picture required

I am lost

I am alone

I am confused about that

I feel sad

pathetic

and tired..............

My post PMS Blog*

In light of all the "ridiculously blessed" blogs out there, I thought I would write one to. I wouldn't call myself "ridiculously blessed", but I would have to say I am blessed. I know I am. Even when I am down in the dumps, I know I am blessed. So, I am trying for a new attitude. I am going to share all the ways I am blessed, really to remind myself.

There is my nut of a brother and his saint wife, Allyson. Just kidding Allyson, we love you. Allyson is such a great part of our family now. I am very thankful for the relationship I have with my brother now.

My mommy. Not sure what I would do with myself if I didn't have her. She was here in June for a few days, and it was so nice to just be together, plant stuff, and go shopping.

Great friends!!






A house with possibilities. I really need to past some updated house pics. I have done somethings to it since I moved in. I am lucky to own my own house.

And of course, my poochies. The little one is Dell, I'm dog sitting. Isn't she cute? I love when she comes over because I have an animal that can snuggle right up to me and not get too hot and have to move away after a couple minutes. So yeah, I know I am blessed.

Look out, it's PMS week.

This is when I feel my situation the most intensely. I have the hardest time dealing during this week. I am always aware that it is just me right now, it is just so much more acute for me when you add in hormones. I hate it. This is when my mind wanders to what have I done or not done to still be in this place? I must not be doing something right. Something I am just not getting yet. Bottom line is, I am just tired. Tired of feeling so lonely. I miss having good girlfriends to go to the movies with, to dinner with, shopping. I get that maybe I am not suppose to be dating right now, ok fine. But no friends? I know I sound pathetic when I write about this, I just get to the point after a while that I need to get it out. I really am trying, you know? I am trying to get to know people at church, it is just so hard because I am closed off with people at first. It is hard work for me to be open, and I am sure people sense that. So at church, I have acquaintances. At work I have work friends. But at night and on the weekends, I am alone. My Friday night is cooking dinner, watering flowers, cleaning up the kitchen, falling asleep on the couch. Saturday usually I catch up on blogs all morning, errands later, cleaning, maybe a walk or hike with the dogs, clean something, weed something, fall asleep on the couch. Sunday I go to church, eat lunch on the patio, read, go clean something, weed something, make dinner, get ready for the work week. Today at church we are studying the Book of Ruth, chapter 1. It demonstrates Ruth's ability to be loyal to not only her mother-n-law, but also to a God she didn't even know. Doing this while going into a new unfamiliar and possibly a difficult situation. With all of this going on, Ruth was able to be loyal through it all, and embraced the situation. I think I am suppose to embrace my situation, I just don't know how. A year and a half later with no good friends, I am doing a poor job of whatever it is I am suppose to be doing. I do keep praying to learn what it is that he wants me to learn, and that I am ok with this time with just him and I, but the nagging realisation that I really don't have much of a life keeps creeping in. Anyway, I am done whining! Thank you for reading this once again.

Just when things start settling down, another turn on the roller coaster happens. Just after I moved into my swanky new office, my boss announces that they will be opening up another ECSE (Special Ed) position! That kind of rocked my world because they also said that you don't have to have your Masters completed to qualify, just working on it. So, here I am happy with my new position, but now find myself faced with yet another big decision. So, I need input from you all. Here are the pros & cons of both jobs:

Pros:

ECSE-

1. Flexibility 2. Summers off 3. No one to supervise 4. work closely with SN's kids, and somewhat with teachers 4. Work with some great people (Therapists) 5. Can work from home often 6. shorter work day 7. Won't have to take work home with me 8. Less paperwork 9. Alot less stress

Supervisor-

1. Status 2. Recognition 3. Swanky Office 4. Get to wear cool clothes 5. Challenges that are interesting 6. People listen to me 7. Bosses hand picked me for this job 8. Work closely with Teachers ( can be a con also) 9. Get Annual Leave time

Cons:

ECSE-

1. A step backwards in a way 2. No office at all 3. Am rusty a bit 4. Not really challenging 5. No status 6. Big caseload

Supervisor-

1. Stressful 2. Play office politics 3. Deal with problem teachers 4. under the microscope with upper management 4. A lot of paperwork and meetings 5. No summers off 6. Long hours 7. 20 teachers under me year round (no drop-off in summer)

I may add more to these lists as I think about them, but you get the idea anyway. I am pulled in both directions right now, so this is why it is a hard decision. Let me know what you think.

Gramma Hallie Stromer has always looked like this my whole life. She was 99 when she died, and she looked the same. Hallie died while I was in the Black Hills during my vacation. I haven't actually seen her for 15 + years. Another Stromer casualty when I walked away from my Dad. I was really conflicted about going to the funeral because of the fact that I haven't seen her in all these years. Like I didn't really have the right to go. My brother convinced me that all that didn't matter anymore, and I should go because of her. So, I did. I knew this meant that I would have to be around the whole Stromer clan, including Milt, the father, again. It was surreal to say the least. Milt introduced me as his "daughter" several times to people. It felt bizarre! I have been his "daughter" for 15+ years. He hugged me a couple of times, something he didn't do at Brook's wedding last summer. And his wife Judy, yikes! She actually bugged me more than Milt did. She is borderline obnoxious about her need to be in the middle of things. She was convinced that this hole gathering was the beginning of a beautiful relationship for Milt and myself. She hugged me and touched me constantly!! I hated every second of that! But maybe her presence was a good buffer for me, because of fact that Milt did not bother me nearly as much as she did. Who knows! What I learned through the whole experience is that I really do not hold any anger towards Milt anymore. None. Weird. I still know that I do not need him in my life. I know he hasn't changed, and I do not need that instability in my life. I also know that I have a Father who loves me the way I deserve, and that is all I need.

Roller coaster pit stop





So, finally the story of the job saga. Fasten you seat belts, this could take awhile. I know I left off with my interview date. The interview itself went really well. From all accounts by my fellow coordinators, I was the only one that had them laughing. The others said that the panel wouldn't barely make eye contact, let alone crack a smile. I did luck out in the fact that Ron was not in the interview at all! That made me feel more confident right there. Everyone in the room likes me, except for John (not getting into that guy right now), but he doesn't have a say anyway:). I know I answered the questions well. The only thing I didn't know was what the behind the scenes plan was. Most of us felt that there was already a plan as to who they wanted and where they were going to put them before anyone interviewed. Turns out we were right. One of my colleagues was dealt a devastating blow. She was offered a teachers position, NOT ONE OF THE THREE we were interviewing for. She was told this is where she shines...as a teacher when she hasn't been in the classroom for 7 years! They did tell her that her work in the past year hasn't been great, but they had not written her up. Another colleague of mine was given a 10 month position. She can't afford that, so she is looking. She thinks they did that on purpose because they knew she couldn't stay with a pay cut. Another colleague, who had wanted the job I got, was given the Special Needs Coordinator position. She had not applied for that, so she was a little ticked that I got the job she wanted. So, right now the dust is slowly settling. The lady that got the teaching job is in Texas for a month. She will be one of my teachers in the fall. This will be hard, because I think my bosses are expecting her to not do well as a teacher, and that I will write her up for them. I will not do this lightly or alone, if that is what they are thinking. So far, things are going ok, but who knows what the fall will bring. I will have 14 classes under me. It will be a challenge. I am just happy to have a job right now.

I am back, sorry it has taken me so long. My mom's computer is dying a slow death, so no contact for me to the outside world. A lot has been going on, and I want to blog all about it, but I have a lot of catch up going on right now. I will say that I do have a job. They offered me a year round Supervisor position. So, at least that worry is over. Thank you all for your prayers, it all really helped me. Stay tuned......

My Interview is Wed. (14th) at 11:35. Please pray that I go in with confidence, do not rattle easy, and leave with my head high.

Updates on my roller coaster of a life:

Monday- Sucked.....in a word. It was announced for the whole agency to hear that our jobs were going away, and everyone there had an opportunity to go for the three positions that use to be our jobs combined. It was humiliating to say the least. We didn't know the extent that the CEO would go into it. She didn't mince words, that's for sure. She basically said that the Coordinator job has grown to the extent that we are doing way too much and not enough time to do what matters. True. She then said that we hated a large portion of our jobs because of that. Untrue. She said that we were apart of the decision making process in creating the new positions. Untrue. She told the crowd that they are opening the doors to the bus now, and want the right people in the seats. We were sitting ducks, trying to not to look devastated. I can't do this day justice, not at all. I can't really describe it right. Afterwards, some people got it, they saw what was happening and that our jobs were in jeopardy, they came over and offered their sympathy. Some people would say that they were sorry for what was happening, but did I think they would be great for one of the positions?! Some people wanted to go for one of the positions, but truly believed that us Coordinators were getting first "dibs", as someone put it. We then had to participate in an end of the year celebration picnic.

I met with a Small Business organization called Score on Wed. They actually told me that my coffee shop idea was not crazy!:) They were great! They gave me some contacts to help me get started, and we talked about the Franchise angle. There is a perfect Franchise out here that would work if the owner goes for my special tweak. I left there full of hope.

I wrote my Resume and filled out the Internal Transfer form and turned in the HR this week. My resume is now ready to upload into Monster.com, and to take with me to Sheridan, Wyo. and RC.

My Silpada Business is taking off this month! I had a great party on the 2nd, and several more to come.

I will be interviewing for one of the new positions I think on the 14th. This will prove to be the hardest day. It is said to be a grilling. Pray please. Pray that Ron doesn't push my buttons, that I can match his questions with strong answers. I really am ok with whatever the outcome is. I just don't want him to humiliate me further. He really is .....well lets just say he's a jerk.

As you can see, up and down. My roller coaster life........

Baptism Day. I did it. Not by myself, but with my Church Family. They were very supportive. You know I am nervous though when I start acting like Chandler and crack jokes at odd moments. Like, before I read my Testimony, I said " Wow, there seems to be a lot more people here than there were when I was standing in the back." And when I was leaving, I said this to my Pastor when he complimented my testimony: "I aim to please!" I left quickly after that, but I left them laughing. :)

Our jobs were posted yesterday. It is all starting. Think about me and my co-workers on Monday. It will be announced in our General Staff meeting, and I know we will be questioned by all our teachers.