Old Town Sacramento

Being that our anniversary falls on Conference weekend, we decided to celebrate this weekend to ensure we were available to listen to the sessions. This year was my turn to plan our little get away and I decided to stay somewhat close to home. As usual, our weekend was full of unexpected funnies and just delightful memories. We got off to a bit of a rough start when I was delayed at school thus making our departure from home a little later then it should have been. In an effort to switch it up a bit, we made arrangements to take the train up to Old Town Sacramento. Being that we were running a little behind, our stress level was higher then it should have been, so we weren't exactly thinking totally clearly. To make a long story short, we flew into a parking spot we didn't think we snag, let a few obscenities slip as we tried to grab our luggage from the trunk, ran like mad across the tracks and barely made it onto the train as it was pulling out of the station. I felt a little like a hobo might have, trying to jump on the train while it was still moving. Ok - so it wasn't that bad, but it was bad. Of course there were few open seats so it took a few minutes to find an open row. Got seated and tried to calm down. Only to find out...what?-this train is going where? That's right folks. We got on the wrong train! Drat! So it took an extra 40 minutes but we did eventually make it to our destination.

We stayed in a hotel that we are pretty sure supported some kind of political campaign. But it was nice and right across the street from the capitol building. Except of course our room was not on the right side. We still think the view was something special. We did make an appearance at the State Railroad museum which compared to the one in my memory - was a ton smaller. We started with the tour, until the tour guide was a little drab, then just made our way around on our own. Then we walked around Old Town Sacramento and enjoyed a little pizzeria who boasted a lunch buffet. We were disappointed when the buffet consisted of 2 pizza's with a ton of cheese, one with a little pepperoni. Weird. We then went over to see the state capitol building which was built in 1875 or something crazy like that. The refurbishment in 1975 cost California 2 bucks a person. And it was something amazing for sure. We stood in front of the Governor's office and even set off an alarm while trying to find the exit. That was fun. After an innocent explanation and personalized directions to the exit; we felt we really made our mark on the capitol.

We ended out trip with a delightful meal at The Firehouse Restaurant which I would highly recommend. So although the weather was a little more wet then I would have requested, it was a great little celebration for just the 2 of us.

A little Classroom Love?

I am settling in quite nicely into my new routine. We started with WW2 which happens to be one of the better chapters so things are going great. I've put a few things up on my walls and even got the key terms wall mostly finished. (I wish every day that I didn't throw out last year's sets).

I only have one thought. Could I possibly get my room vacuumed? I've been in there 3 weeks now and not once has a custodian vacuumed my room. I have to go up and down the aisles at the end of the day and pick up what I can with my hands. I am a huge believer of a clean and orderly room. So a little vacuuming would go a long way with me. I realize that my room may not look like it needs it terribly, but I would just like a little classroom loving.

Not Cool

The wind up in these parts - I tell ya - Its a miracle our house is still standing. Our fence, however, has not been so lucky. The joy of homeownership. I'm beginning to think its not what its all cracked up to be.

The best part of this story is that this is the second half of the fence to blow down. The first half was already appraised and our insurance company has agreed to cover the costs. Then, our neighbors were going to arrange the appointment to have it fixed. And THEN the rest of the fence blew down.

So how does that work appraisal wise cuz I'm pretty sure the insurance company isn't going to come back out and pay us the difference since it took us a week more to do anything.

Bleh. Not Cool.

Green Thumbs Up

Since getting our Jack LeLane juicer, we have been juicing everything we can get our hands on. It is quite delightful; and a little expensive.

And so we've become gardners. We've planted not 1, not 2, but THREE citrus trees in our backyard. Lemon, Orange, and Grapefruit.

I just can't wait until they start producing fruit. I want so much fruit, that I have to put it in boxes and give it away! So exciting.

A Seriously Unfortunate Event

Remember that one time when our garage was broken into and stuff was stolen out of the cars? Yeah, that was bad. But this was way worse. Our house was broken into the other day.

Can you imagine it? Right in the middle of the day, some stranger used a crowbar to force the door open and come into our home. First they tried the back door, and when that attempt failed, they moved to the garage door to the outside. Then in through the laundry room and proceeded to make their way through the house picking up what their arms could carry. Stolen items include my jewelry box, camera, and our PS3 system.

Looking on the brighter side of things, of course it could be way worse. More things could have been taken, more could have been damaged, more could have been done. But for some reason, I am having a hard time focusing on the brighter side of things. And answer me this: Jesus teaches us to pray for our enemies. How am I suppose to pray for this individual to feel remorse enough to repent of their sin and be accepted into the presence of the Father one day? I just can't seem to find enough love for that yet.

Of course we have taken all the natural measures and increased the number of locks on our doors and upgraded our alarm system. But it is still a little scary knowing we are vulnerable for such evildoers. Sad story.

Missing my book

I miss this history book. Today was my first day starting with the World History classes and looking over their book was a minor nightmare. Paragraph after paragraph with no highlighted or clear information. For someone who has taught this course 8 times, I should not be as confused as I am while reading this text. Seriously, this is lame-o stuff. It is no wonder kids don't like history.

In regards to the classes, I think that things are going to be good. I only saw 2 classes today being that they have block scheduling and today was my prep day. And there was the other sub in there from the past several weeks. Lets just say it was like a fake day. And the next 2 days are CAHSEE testing (which I pronounce K.C. and they pronounce Cassie; I think my way is better) so there won't really be any classes then either. BUT - I am excited about it and am hopeful that this might get me in the door for next year. Maybe

New Job Assignment

I am very pleased to announce that yours truly will be back in the classroom starting Monday! Woo-hoo. I have been substitute teaching for several weeks now, and haven't loved it, but haven't hated it either. (well, that 2 weeks science class stint was a bit much but...lets not go into details).
Well, to my luck and great blessing, I have been selected to fill in as a permanent substitute for a World History teacher at the high school. what!? Crazy to think that I will be doing the same classes that I was doing in Riverside. I just feel so blessed.
So - starting tomorrow I am up and at it again. Perhaps my blogging in increase now that I will have something to jot down. The only thing that makes me slightly nervous is it appears he has AP courses which I have never taught before.

All in all it is very exciting. :)

Snow Day

A fun advantage to working with the youth in the church is the ability to participate in all the activities they have planned. (Although to be fair, this is also a disadvantage as many times we would prefer to use our time to get stuff done) Anyway - the youth had their annual combined snow day and Mark and I were asked to attend. What a perfect day it was. The weather couldn't have been more pleasant; and the company superior. We feel so blessed to be surrounded by people who have taken us in as friends.

Although neither Mark nor I are really snow people - it was a fun trip. I spent the better part of my runs with my fanny (and face) in the snow. Mark on the other hand braved the slopes head first! Champion.

We headed back slightly earlier then the rest of the crew because we wanted to stop by the few antique shops we passed on the drive up. What delightful finds they had there! Nothing we could afford or purchase mind you, but the kind of stuff you would think to see in a museum. Really fun for the history buff in me.