Ooops...Again!

Saturday night we (me, John, the kids) went to a Railroad Earth show with some friends. We all chipped in and got a VIP box. I figured that would be the best plan with the kiddos. Anyway, it was a great time. They are so talented, and I think Samarah is obsessed! She constantly asks "Mommy, can we listen to Martha's husband?" I have Elko on my iPhone and it is ALL she wants to listen to in the car. She has her favorites that she like to hear over and over...Long Way to Go, Old Man and the Land and Bird in a House. Martha, by the way, is one of my close colleagues and friends and her husband is Tim Carbone, the violinist for RRE.

Pics to come!

Today, while Samarah was at gymnastics, I took Xander outside to mess around with the camera. I am tired of having SUCH a great piece of technology and not knowing how to REALLY use it.

After that, we went to the McDonald's Play Place and I really had time to "learn" more about how to use my camera. I feel like I accomplished something today!

Play Place Party!

Samarah was invited to her first "real" birthday party. By "real" I mean where the mommies aren't friends.

The party was Saturday at a new McDonald's Play Place. Almost all of Samarah's friends from school were there, which was nice because I got to know them a little! I took so many pictures that people thought I was the professional photographer...seriously. Samarah had a great time.

Life is not exciting enough to blog about, LOL!

John and I managed to make some progress toward decluttering and straightening up this weekend. Our mess of a house is a very touchy issue for me. We need to get on top of it and STAY on top of it.
On a couple fun notes...I am a little excited to be going to FL this summer. I think it'll be a fun trip for us, even though it is school related. I imagine it will be HOT, though...something I never look forward to. I have started looking at airfare and lodging. Gonna be pricey!

We are going to see Railroad Earth at the end of the month. I am looking forward to it!

Went to the new Japanese restuarant (Shiros) for dinner with John D. and Chrissy. That was fun! Gorgeous place, good food! I have never been to a hibachi restaurant before. It was fun. I am not so good at cathing things in my mouth, though! Interesting!

Deserving of it's own post!

Another belated post, but what are you gonna do?

I participated in a round of Postal Pixies with a few wonderful chatty mamas from TBW. My gift was so amazing! Xander, Samarah and I were so excited!
I have been using my gift on a daily basis and just can't stop looking at it!!

I should be ashamed...

for not even posting Halloween pics or anything! We'll get to that!

Other, more exciting stuff going on! I had a meeting with the Dean on Halloween. I thought it went really well. He sees me in the position for the foreseeable future. There is definitely a need for it. Though it is temporary, it could work to my benefit, as there are no time requirements for me to get a terminal degree. He did mention that once I am there for more than two years, even in a temp position, there has to be CAUSE for them to let me go, which was a relief to hear.
Also, once I am there for 5 years, it seems as though they have to offer me tenure per the contract. That might be tricky because I still won't be done with my Ed.D.
So, we'll see!

On another note, I got my letter of *provisional* acceptance from Nova today! Woohoo! I will have provisional acceptance until they receive my two letters of recommendation, which I sent out on Wednesday, and my MAT scores. I am setting up the MAT for December 15th.
I am so excited, yet SO nervous!!

Now, about those pics...

Igniting a Spark!

The other day I went to Old Navy...I didn't really need anything, but I was meeting a friend there. I got some cute stuff for Xander and two shirts for Samarah.
Well, there was a cute sweater that was really cheap, so I tried it on. BIG MISTAKE. After looking in the mirror, I felt awful. Perhaps it was the frumpy looking outfit I was wearing? Perhaps it was that I don't fit into "normal" sized clothes...I don't know. I just felt miserable.

I am the heaviest I have ever been, and I want to change.

As if by coincidence, I read about SparkPeople on TBW, so I signed up. Let's see if it works for me...or if I can even stick to it!

On a good note, I bought a Canon 85mm f/1.8 today! I am excited to try it!
We also got a ton of snow! Seriously...it's October and we have about 10in out there. WOW! Wasn't expecting THAT!

Well, that's about it! Hoping to get myself motivated to exercise before the day is over!

Eeeek! I did it!

Did what, you ask?? I applied to a doctoral program online last night, and I am nervous as all hell! Nervous about so many different things...
Will they accept me? Will I be able to manage? Am I smart enough? Am I dedicated enough? How will I pay for it? How long will it take? Will it be worth it? Will it help me obtain a permanent position at ESU? What if I don't get a permanent position at ESU?

Just so many thoughts running through my mind. I am excited, but so nervous! I don't deal well with the unknown, and the fact that my position at ESU is only temporary scares me on a daily basis. I truly enjoy it...I actually LOVE it. It is what I want to do until I retire. I will be crushed if they let me go.
Regardless of what happens at ESU, I should still pursue my doctorate. Like I said, it is what I want to do until retire. If it can't be at ESU, I hope it will be somewhere else I love.

Only time will tell! Wish me luck!