Onward towards Organization

Still working towards getting everything together, but I feel really good about it.

We went on a trek to Target and I got a ton of well-needed supplies.

My shopping included:

New workout clothes, since I am going to join the gym tomorrow.

A closet organizer thing that you hang from the closet rod to put my purses in, since I am kind of a purse fanatic.

A multi-pant hanger, as I am trying to reduce the amount of rod space I am taking up.

3 really beautiful bins from "Shabby Chic" that I am thinking I will use as small laundry baskets. If they are small, they will be full faster and I will be more likely to empty them and wash clothes, I think. If they do not end up used for that, I may use them to store things under the bed or to organize my shoes. At least one idea will work, I'm sure.

New jammies!!! Yay! (I got a set of Nick and Nora washable silks for $15!!)

A very natural-looking wood bowl to put on the table in the entryway to hold the mish-mash of pocket stuff like metrocards, housekeys and sunglasses.

And finally, cat food (we really should buy in bulk) and two new feather toys--so that way there's something for everybody!

Besides that, Michael's friend is taking a look at the computer. Maybe he'll be able to fix it. That would be really great. While the tower is out, I am going to clean the desk and label all the cords.

I am looking forward to being organized!

Peeping Toms

I just got out of the shower...nothing like a furry audience to keep you on your toes! All four of the babies were in the bathroom with me, anxiously waiting for me to get out and spend more time with them. They are sooo funny!

Tonight was actually really fantastic. Michael and I tried a new restaurant near the apartment. It was absolutely wonderful Italian food, and we went all out, with wine, dessert and cappuchino and even an after-meal dessert liquor. Yum.

We are planning on going to Marble Church for Easter, and then, come Monday, we are starting out mutually huge lists of "Things to Do." I am planning to continue overhauling the apartment. The bathroom is finished, down to new shower curtain hooks and bathmats, and I want to go room by room and make everything spectacular.

The bedroom has to be next, because the beside tables are here, but they are "put'em together yourselfs" and I didn't want to put them into the room until the walls are all painted. I know, I've been talking about this for months, but now is really the time. The boxes with the tables are in the hallway near the front door, and for the last few days, we've been having to turn sideways to get in and out of the house. How fun is that! :)

Everything's an adventure!

Finally, while I finish the apartment, I also have some university work to do and want to join a gym. So, here's to high expectations!

Spring Break

Lazy day. Not much decluttering or shining going on today, however, I might start in on those projects a little later. So far, it has just been nice to rest and give the kids some attention.

Before my free time is up, I need to write a few papers and I'd like to plan for the rest of the school year. I also have to do my taxes, like most people still haven't done either.

I've been a little down lately. Work is really taking a lot out of me and I'd like to get a job somewhere else, whether or not that is a school is not a factor in the choice anymore. I just may not be cut out to be a teacher, at least in NYC.

Michael and I are also having issues. If you've talked to me lately, you know the rest--basically the same 'ol, same 'ol, it's just not improving, despite what I am sincerely considering my best efforts.

I'm hoping that such a long break will help me get things done, come to conclusions about some real problems, and be recharged for the rest of the year.

Home again

The last couple of days have been miserable. I am still sick, or sick again, however you choose to look at it.

On Monday, I started to lose my voice. I taught through Tuesday, then lost it completely. Wed, I stayed home, Thurs I went to the doctor, and therefore, after being diagnosed with yet another virus with symptoms of 100 degree temp and headaches, bodyaches, stuffy AND runny nose and the whole sore throat/laryngitis, I am home again today.

This sucks for a few reasons: first, I am now 3 days off in the unit I am teaching and will have to change my schedules for the next few weeks to backtrack. Then, I am relatively sure this will send me past my 10 sick days for the year, and it's possible that they may take money out of my check, which will then lead to a meeting with various people because at the end of last year, I had 3 days to spare. Those 3 days have disappeared and so I may have to fight for them so I don't lose money that I earned. Finally, when I do go back, it's going to be that very hard period of time of trying to finish recovering physically and still deal with my job. It's hard enough to get back to normal when you just have to sit at a desk, but having to stand up and walk around and mentally engage with your job is so much more difficult.

Sigh. At least there's not too much longer left to go before the end of the school year.

Entertainment goddess

Well, I am done with my spending now. I've amped up my entertainment system with a new tv, DVD, VCR and surround sound. Michael is splitting the costs, so this makes the first big purchase that we've made together. (Although an arguement could be made for the boys, but technically, we got them for free.)

I also bought myself a little happy from QVC and have a new bracelet and necklace coming.
I'm thinking I will count them as a graduation gift.

I have decided not to walk in the ceremony, which would take place outside rain-or-shine in the outdoor quad in front of the school library. Reasons for this choice include the major reason of having no audience. The ceremony is a Thursday (explain that, please?) and it would be really hard to convince my family to take the day off to drive to the city to sit in the sun for 2 hours. Michael is actually negative in his "bank" of days he can take off, so he probably wouldn't be able to be there, either.

What I have decided on instead is to send announcements, have a professional picture taken with regalia (which they are just as happy to sell you whether you walk or not) and then have a party on the weekend.

I figure I've already done the graduation thing twice now, and neither one was truly special or memorable. I suppose part of that comes from having a name that comes at the end of the list. At hs grad, we were already halfway across the platform with our row, we were so anxious for the thing to be over, and UMHB, people actually started to leave before the thing was over since they'd gotten their diplomas already. It's the visiting and going to dinner and taking pictures after that was always more fun to me.

Anyway, I have until July to get it all together, so that shouldn't be a problem. Be looking for an announcement in the mail!