"My lips are numb, my cheeks are puffy... and it's Awesome!

"My lips are numb, my cheeks are puffy... and it's AWESOME!" exclaimed Katie as she blew with all her might to get some noise out of *her* trumpet.

Yes. Katie is joining beginning band in 5th grade. She has chosen the trumpet for unknown reasons - well, actually, the band teacher had a little assembly and showed all the instruments and how they sound. She thought the trumpet sounded the coolest. She will start her classes on Tuesday - so we'll have a weekend or more of mysterious and funky sounds being spewed out of the instrument.

Of course we are renting-t0-own the instrument, cause if she's anything like me she won't stick with anything. Did you know I've had classes/lessons in the flute, clarinet, ice skating lessons, sailing and modeling? Can I say I am successful in any of those? Nope --- But I could be a runner up Plus Size Model for the Blind (laughing at myself here).

Just wanted to share Katie's excitement in her new musical adventure. I'll keep ya posted on her progress... meanwhile I might need to go to the local drugstore and invest in some ear plugs for Ken, Rick and myself.

Already out of a job!

The school I was doing my sub job for found a permanent (and properly credentialed) replacement. Guess that "long term sub" position wasn't so *long* after all. I am out of a job. Now I can sub where and when I want and have a few days here and there to just be a stay-at-home mom. I should enjoy it while I can, cause I am aiming to be in my own classroom by next August (keep your fingers crossed for me... and the economy - which I hold highly responsible for me not being in my own classroom this year).

Summer is Officially Over

The kids and I started back to school yesterday. Katie is in 5th grade this year (the year she rules the school). Kenny is in 2nd and nervous about the whole new situation that awaits him.

Since I had to start my day subbing at our local middle school, Rick had to get the kids dressed, fed and to school. By the time I got to our elementary school (subbing 25% at middle school/75% at elementary), the kids were in class. The few times I saw Ken during the day he was much more somber than usual. It turns out he had a rough start in the morning - he hates any new situations with a passion. He held back tears and was nervous as can be. Rick reports that Katie was nervous too, but her desire to see her old friends outweighed any anxiety and she was fine. My day entails visiting classrooms and supporting students with learning disabilities. It was an easy going day really and I got to visit Katie's classroom and observe how many different teachers kick-off the school year. When we got home I made some homemade ice cream. After we ate it, I went to lie in bed for a bit - the next thing I new I had a child snuggled up on either side of me and we were all taking a nap. We slept for about 30 minutes, got up, took a shower and were in our jammies before Rick got home at 6:30. It was a long tiring day for all of us.

Runner Up Prize

I got disappointing news today. I didn't do well enough on my teaching job interview to get put on "the list" of candidates they call when opening crop up.

I did get the runner up prize though ~ a long term sub position as a Special Education teacher. I will spend 25% of my day at the local middle school and the rest at my kids' elementary school. It'll be a wonderful addition to my resume and a great experience to boot.

The kids have mixed feelings about it all. They really don't want me to go to work, but were brought to tears when they saw me crying and whining earlier today.

Rick is going to help out by changing his work hours so he can get the kids to school for me. Friends and family will pitch in here and there on days I need to work late (which I hope are few).

So many people have been praying, thinking good thoughts and just hoping things go my way ~ it does a heart good to know so many people are rooting for me. Thanks!

Welcome Soccer Season

The kids started their soccer practices today. Since Rick is coaching both teams their practice times are back to back on the same field. It sure was hot and miserable for them (and I didn't even stay at the field the whole time) - but before we know it we'll be complaining about how cold it is -- lovely Sacramento weather.

Great News on the Job Front

I've spent the last 24 hours in San Diego with my mom, burying my Nana is the city she loved with all her heart.

While driving from my Nana's chapel service to her graveside service I got a cell phone call. It was a secretary from the school district where my kids go to school. They want to interview me for placement into their second hiring pool. Yes!!

My interview is Friday (think good thoughts for me). If I score well enough on the interview and written "exam" then I will be placed in the district's hiring pool. THEN when openings come up (there aren't any right now), I can be called and offered a position sometime during the school year. I'll take what I can get.

The end of summer is proving to be very stressful in many different ways. Isn't life funny and beautiful and full of adventure?!

Saying Goodbye to Nana

Today is my grandma's funeral. Mom and I have flown to San Diego, Nana's favorite place in the world, to lay Nana to rest next to her husband and my Aunt Shelly. I don't know how I'm going to get through it, but I plan on standing up and saying a few words about her. Here is my Eulogy for Nana:

Nana, My ray of sunshine

Hi, My name is Trina. I am Polly’s granddaughter.
I stand here today in a place of profound sadness.
My heavy heart only lightened by special memories of Polly, my Nana.

The events of the past several weeks are still hard to take in.
We knew Polly’s life and health were fragile for a very long time.
But there was something about her tenacious hold on all of our hearts,
and on life itself, that makes it really hard to believe she’s gone.

Her body may be gone, but she lives on in the deepest fiber of our being.

It is enough for me to know that I knew what her house smelled like after her adventures in cooking, the broadness of her smile, the light in her blue eyes, the sound of her laugh, the firmness of her voice, and the fact that she loved me and that I loved her- unconditionally.

When I hear the words of scripture, - “although we are afflicted, we are not crushed,” Nana’s sparkling eyes and radiant smile come to mind. Polly taught me about perseverance and the importance of family. For the majority of my life Polly struggled with the physical obstacles of only having use of half her body, but to me she was whole --- because she loved me with her whole heart.

I have great memories:
of her teaching me to play gin-rummy (and constantly letting me win);
of helping her tend to her garden (man she had a green-thumb);
of me, as a 12 year old girl, watching my handicapped Nana flag down her favorite Padres players and MAKE them sign MY baseball glove (Go Padres);
of her yummy desserts baked with love.

Her life and memory live on in all of us: her friends, her sisters, her children, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews … My hope is that those memories will remain as strong, stubborn and full of life as she was - until we see each other again.

(Nana's Obituary Link)