My Vermont Life

Still plugging away

2007-08-28T15:29:00.000-07:00

Moving on

2007-07-24T18:48:00.001-07:00

I am moving on to a new blog. I no longer have a Vermont Life, so check in with me at:

http://rachelraes.blogspot.com/

Bored with my updates yet?

2007-07-24T12:07:00.000-07:00

The closing is still set for friday, everything seems okay for now. gs is getting restless in VT, and I am getting restless here without him. I have started looking at apartments again today, I hope to find something by the weekend. I have an interview tomorrow at Thomas Nelson, and just got an email from Norfolk schools saying that they have still not made a decision on the position I interviewed for. They asked me if I would like to interview for other positions while I wait, I said yes, so we will see.

On the positive side of things, I have been having fun catching up with people. Seeing Ken, Colleen and Ellie this weekend was the best surprise! I hope they will decide to move back to Norfolk sometime soon. Colleen, if you read this ,will you get me the recipe for the apple and snickers salad, it was so delicious!

Zoo with Mommy Spice and V

2007-07-24T11:58:00.001-07:00

Missing gs

2007-07-16T16:35:00.000-07:00

Delay Delay

2007-07-13T12:01:00.001-07:00

The closing has been delayed two weeks.

Delay

2007-07-13T08:54:00.000-07:00

We found out last night that the closing is not going to happen today, we are waiting to find out how long the closing has to be extended. So everything is on hold. I am pretty worn out with so much up in the air right now.

Took this pic of Monk before I left.

Found my camera cord

2007-07-12T16:33:00.000-07:00

I spent the whole day looking at apartments and storage units, I did have some fun having dinner and conversation at No Frill, though after three years I did not recognize any of the waiters.

I remembered I took some pictures of my school and the view from my office, make that my old office, window. No job news today and I came home to find that Sol had somehow managed to turn off the ac unit. gs is supposed to close on the condo in the morning, so keep everything crossed.

On the hunt

2007-07-11T12:17:00.000-07:00

Went apartment hunting today, no luck yet. I saw three places but did not like any of them. I left a bunch of messages, hopefully I will hear back on a nice two bedroom soon. I am happy to have any tips if you see a place open.

gs is busy packing up the house, I miss him already.

Hotfolk

2007-07-09T15:56:00.001-07:00

Well I made it to VA, after having to stop 100 miles into my trip to escape cloud-to- ground lightening, taking a 200+ mile unplanned detour in New York that turned my two day trip into three days, and all the while hauling a cat that can't be sedated because of a heart condition.

I am going to look at an apartment tomorrow, I am supposed to have at least one interview this week. I am still waiting on job news from my Norfolk interview. I am pretty exhausted, but glad to be here. Thanks to P for putting me up last night on short notice.

Change Change

2007-07-04T07:24:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long absence, things here seem to change daily, and we have lost our internet at home. I have been working most everyday trying to get things squared away in my office. Everything has been pretty smooth with the condo sale, though our appraisal came in at 2000 less than our selling price. Bummer, but not the end of the world since the buyer chose not to do an inspection. I am leaving on friday, that's this friday btw. So much for our Montreal trip next week! I am coming early for more interviews, and I still have not heard back from my big interview three weeks ago. gs is coming to VA the following weekend. He has found some movers , so he will avoid the headache of a do it yourself move. I can't wait to see everyone, though I am still in some denial that we are actually leaving Vermont.

New Do

2007-06-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

On the lookout

2007-06-21T10:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Thanks, to those of you who have let me know about rentals in Norfolk.
We are particularly interested in two bedrooms in Ghent, I appreciate any info from Norfolkians on available places. Despite all the things we have going on right now, it is comforting to know we will soon be in the company of some of our favorite people.

As far as updates, we have the appraisal for the condo tomorrow. The buyers have decided to forgo an inspection, so we will start packing once the appraisal has come through. I still have no news on my big job interview, I expect it may be another week before I hear back.

I hope these updates have not become too mundane. I will be taking some day trips soon, and going to Montreal, so I should be able to start posting more "Vermont Life" pictures soon.

Greg's New Review-Walter Mosley

2007-06-18T12:59:00.001-07:00

Greg's new review of "This Year You Write Your Novel" by Mosley is on the web, check it out!

Graduation

2007-06-16T09:53:00.000-07:00

My 2007 kids graduated today, I have had this group since my first day at Harwood. I am proud, and sad to see them go. I suppose in a way, I am moving along with them.

Change, Change

2007-06-15T05:47:00.000-07:00

Last day of classes, just Monday and Tuesday left and then summer school.

Well, just when we thought things were totally insane here, the buyers requested to change the closing date back to July 13th. I am very relieved, and am pretty sure I had a mild heart attack yesterday trying to figure out how I was going to get my student's summer services turned over to my replacement by July 2nd. I am sure this is just one of many changes that may occur in the next month. I will have to be more flexible, patient, calm, etc. All the things that I am not.

Speaking of my replacement, my school has hired none other than my good buddy and firecracker Rachael P! What a relief to know my work will continue in such capable hands.

The next few days will be consumed with graduation, final grades, retirement party, etc.

Have a good weekend all!

Post-Interview

2007-06-14T05:58:00.000-07:00

So, I finally had the long awaited interview yesterday. To be honest, I have no clue if they are going to hire me. I think it went well, but doing a conference call interview was really hard! I could not tell what people's reactions were, it was a very strange feeling. The people seemed really great, but I felt hampered by not being there in person. They did tell me that what I do now is what they want for the position (minus the teaching and career counseling), it would solely be job develoment, placement, and support for special education students. It will be two weeks before I hear back, so I will try to let it go until then!

Status

2007-06-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

Well, we just signed the purchase agreement. The closing date has been changed, again, back to July 2nd. So, we are considering getting movers in case we need to stay in VT for a week after the closing because of my work. My interview is finally today, at 3; gasp, gasp.

Time to Party

2007-06-11T15:37:00.001-07:00

Well, not really, but it is getting closer! Saturday we went to an almost end of the school year party in Montpelier, today I taught my last class at Harwood. Now we have a week left for final exams and in-service. After that, I will just work part-time through July 10th, then the move!

Wish me luck, I am finally supposed to have the big interview with Norfolk Schools Wed afternoon, for the Specialist position. We'll see!

Birthday Card

2007-06-07T13:30:00.000-07:00

I think I have received this card from Cassie in error, I think it was meant for Beth White!

Have you seen my paws?

2007-06-07T13:29:00.001-07:00

gs is on a roll

2007-06-05T14:54:00.000-07:00

Good news today, gs was hired to teach at Christopher Newport University. So he will be teaching at ODU and CNU in the fall. Professor Schneider! Woohoo!

As of today, it looks like we are closing on the condo July 13th, we would have liked to do it sooner, but at least it will give us a little extra time to get packed. Hopefully I will have a job update on myself soon...

Thirty is Flirty

2007-06-03T09:30:00.000-07:00

My birthday weekend has been fun. Friday night I went out with co-workers at the Alchemist. Saturday, Rachael and I went to the Burlington Farmers market, then shopping on Church Street. We met gs and Jon for dinner at Roques , the only good Mexican restaurant in Vermont. Then we went on a nice walk around Lake Champlain. We stopped by Kim's for an ice cream birthday cake on the way home. The ride home reminded me of another thing I won't miss about Vermont, driving home on a foggy night during deer season. In case you did not know, Vermont does not have street lights!

I got some great cards and gifts. My two favorite gifts are the ivoice from gs, and a check for my adoption account from my big sis.

Brother and Sister Love

2007-06-01T17:05:00.000-07:00

Deposit

2007-05-31T07:02:00.000-07:00

We have a buyer! They dropped off a deposit Tuesday night, and we are just waiting for our lawyer to finish making the purchase agreement. Keep all appendages crossed!

Dealing with loss

2007-05-28T12:04:00.000-07:00

Please keep us in your thoughts as we mourn the loss of gs's bank card and drivers license. It has been a long three days in the McSchneider house, I look forward to the next business day in the week, when gs can order new cards and ID, and stop driving me nuts with his CSI-like attempts to find his lost cards. Poor guy, he has taken this really hard.

Open House

2007-05-27T14:13:00.000-07:00

We had our first open house this weekend, we only had one couple come, but they seemed really interested. We just started advertising the house, and will have another open house next weekend. Gs has done an amazing job putting the finihsing touches on the condo. Wish us luck, we would love to have an offer in the next week!

Bathroom is finished!

2007-05-26T08:20:00.000-07:00

Love is in the air

2007-05-24T14:46:00.000-07:00

My bathroom!

2007-05-24T13:26:00.001-07:00

Congrats to the Grad

2007-05-22T17:56:00.000-07:00

Congrats to my good buddy Rachael, who graduated this weekend with a Master's Degree in Special Education. I am so proud, and happy to have her join the world of teaching. I know that she will change a lot of lives in her career as a Special Educator!

We joined Rachael, Jon, and some of her family at Bangkok Bistro this week, I had the best Plum Sake Martini, and was thrilled to celebrate with Rach on her big day!

Saturday Solo Hike

2007-05-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

My favorite tree

2007-05-19T07:28:00.002-07:00

These little berries fall off of the tree in my front yard in the winter. They have turned into flowers this week!

Turn on the light

2007-05-17T15:03:00.000-07:00

Bad news today, our potential buyer has decided not to buy the condo. So we are left to finish all the little things we had been doing to the condo before we thought we had a potential buyer, and start advertising. First thing, replacing all the old light switch covers. 2 bedroom condo in the Mad River Valley, anyone?

Late Night Rescue

2007-05-12T18:05:00.000-07:00

Friday Afternoon Hike

2007-05-11T17:25:00.000-07:00

Gs took the first shot, my favorite of the hike.

Babs

2007-05-10T09:46:00.000-07:00

I went into a panic this morning when I realized that I had not sent my Mom a gift for Mother's Day. I have been so busy this week, it just slipped my mind! Thank God for next day delivery, I just sent her a vase of her favorite; yellow roses. Don't forget about your Mom!

Another Woodland Creature

2007-05-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

We have a new stray, thanks to Nica, who spends her days dragging her bottom up and down the glass doors. This little guy is super cute, black with white feet and white whiskers. Anyway, last night, he chased a baby chipmunk up the drain pipe on the back of our building. I used the drill to take apart the pipe, but the little chipmunk just dangled there, refusing to come out. We brought Mr. Whiskers in and the chipmunk finally came out. It was quite the drama.

Cleaning up our act

2007-05-09T15:29:00.000-07:00

We have been pretty busy the last week, trying to get the house in shape. We had planned on putting it on the market this weekend, but we already have an interested buyer, who heard we are selling the place. He came by Monday night, and we are waiting to hear back if he has been approved for a loan. Cross your fingers. Here are a couple of pics of the place, we have been trying to make it look more spacious, though to me it is feeling alot less homey. gs also put in a new sink, it is kind of plain, but a big improvement over the old one. I have been impressed with all the work he has done on the place. I have been busy reading real estate books and talking to a lawyer, selling a house with out an agent is a real challenge!

Prom at the Moulin Rouge

2007-05-07T14:08:00.000-07:00

Some people only get to enjoy prom once or twice, but teachers get to go over and over again, aren't we lucky? I was surprised the parents did not have a problem with the Moulin Rouge theme. The event was held at the Inn at the Round Barn Farm, an old converted three story barn with an attached Inn. It made for an interesting set up. One of my boys made all the costumes for the "Can-Can" Barbies that decorated the tables. I would love to show you some of the outfits the kids wore, but can't for privacy reasons. I especially enjoyed my role as the downstairs coordinator, this meant I was in charge of keeping kids from sneaking outside to have a drink in their car.

Instead of prom favors, the kids decided to donate their money to an AIDS research fund. Teenagers here are really something special. Can you tell I am getting sad about leaving them?

Love the Kittachino

2007-05-04T13:22:00.000-07:00

Cute overload, Yep I suck as a blogger this week. I will post spring pics and move updates this weekend.

Watching the pot

2007-04-30T12:35:00.000-07:00

I got an email from Chesapeake today, it could be up to two more weeks before they start offering contracts, so it will be a couple more weeks before I hear from Grassfield and Western Branch. No call from Norfolk today, I was told they would call me with the interview time by today. Since it will be a couple weeks before I hear from Chesapeake, it gives Norfolk a little more time to drag me along. Patience, Patience, I lack Patience.

Gearing up to sell the Condo

2007-04-29T16:22:00.000-07:00

gs and I spent the weekend cleaning out closets, packing up knick knacks, and sifting through our library. We are going to spend the next two weeks getting the condo ready to sell. We are packing away some things in the storage unit, and getting rid of things we don't need. We are trying to make the place look as spacious as possible. We also have to put in a new floor in the bathroom, replace two doors, put in a new kitchen faucet, and touch up some paint. We are trying to just work one step at a time, in a timely fashion of course. We got some books and contracts on selling your own place, and I am going to meet with a real estate lawyer next week, Vermont requires a lawyer for all real estate sales. We welcome any advice from people who have sold their own place!

Have a good week all!

Cute Overload Pic of the Month

2007-04-27T11:58:00.000-07:00

Since my effort to honor National Poetry month was a bust, I figured I would just post this. Ahhh. This actually looks a little like Sagan did at 6 weeks.

Spring in my hike

2007-04-26T17:42:00.000-07:00

Belated vacation post

2007-04-24T16:55:00.000-07:00

Well, it is not so good to be back home, although we did miss our kitties. They have been thoroughly spoiled while we were gone. In case you have not heard, gs got a part-time job teaching at ODU. We are thrilled, though gs is being pretty calm and cool about it. He is looking for another part-time job, probably teaching at another college.

Most of my interviews last week went well, with the exception of one interviewer who doodled while he interviewed me. I had two great teaching interviews in Chesapeake, and I am supposed to have that interview for the specialist position in Norfolk on the phone this week.

We have decided to try and sell the condo ourselves. We would rather get a real estate agent, but we would pay most of the profit to the agent. So keep your fingers crossed, this will probably be our greatest challenge in the move.

I did not get pics of everyone on our trip, but I got a few good ones. I did not get any pics of myself, I was having a bad hair week.

Thanks to the Twittering Bird family for putting us up for the week, yet again!

Fellini's

Relative Theory

Twittering Bird's Neighborhood

No Frill with the Manoli's

Driving Back to Vermont

Stop off with the Jersey family

And the MVP of the week....Pico!

Hot Fuzz

2007-04-24T12:21:00.000-07:00

"Hot Fuzz is a story of small-town English repression and the tradition of heroic American individualism that lays waste to it."

Thought you might want to check out this review of the new film, Hot Fuzz, by the Shaun of the Dead Guys. I want to see it this weekend.

Sorry no trip pics, our home internet is on the blink. Did I tell everyone that gs got a job teaching at ODU? Well he did!

Sugar snow from the week before last

2007-04-23T16:42:00.000-07:00

Update soon

2007-04-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

Sorry so long without a post. I have finally found my camera cord, and will be posting pics and giving news updates tonight. gs has requested to be a guest blogger for our interview vacation post. It was great to see all the Norfolkians last week. It gets harder to leave everyone time I come for a visit.

Leaving Thursday

2007-04-18T11:53:00.000-07:00

Gs and I have finished our interviews today, so far I have one school that I am very interested in, but I still have two interviews to go, one at the innovative new school in Chesapeake, Grassfield.

GS had a great interview at our alma mater today, we hope to hear back on that soon.

It looks like we are going to the Taphouse tonight at 7 for anyone who has time to join us. I think I am going to take a little nap right now, gs is playing with an amazingly friendly Pico, she has been a real sweetheart this week (so have her parents).

Oh, we saw a hilarious British movie on DVD last night, Shaun of the Dead. If you liked the Office, you have to see this movie.

VTech

2007-04-16T13:25:00.000-07:00

My little brother managed to track down two of his close friends at V Tech, what a relief. I can barely look at the news without feeling like I am going to throw up. I hate guns.

Monday night out

2007-04-16T13:17:00.000-07:00

GS and I are enjoying the wi-fi at Panera. Ah, the conveniences of modern life. We will be going to Relative Theory tonight about 8 to hear AK. Hope to see everyone there!

I am wearing my new 1888 shirt, buy one before they are sold out!

We are in No'folk

2007-04-14T21:17:00.000-07:00

Just arrived at Twittering Bird's. We will give all the Norfolkians a call in the morning. Nighty Night.

Nor'easter

2007-04-13T10:54:00.000-07:00

We have made a slight change in our travel plans to avoid the nasty weather coming to the east coast. We are going to leave in the morning and drive straight through to Norfolk. We will stay until Friday. Can't wait to see everyone!

Dizzy is moving on

2007-04-13T07:29:00.000-07:00

Dizzy left the condo this morning, in his kennel of course. We finally came to the top of the list at the no-kill shelter, the North Country Animal League. I have volunteered there before, and I know it is a really nice facility. We would like to have found him a home ourselves, but we will be travelling soon and did not have a place for him to stay. I have again been impressed with the great care gs takes with the cats we have and have had in our home, he is better with animals than he knows. This is the first time we could not find a home for one of our strays. Still, I know that we did the right thing, he was sick and wounded when we found him, and I don't think he would have made it outside through these last two storms we have had.

So long my big jowled friend, I hope you find a family of your own, you certainly deserve it!

On my shoulder

2007-04-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

I am desperately jealous of this picture taken last week by another Vermont resident, vtpeacenik, as I am still unable to catch a photo of the blue bird in my back yard. We are covered in beautiful wet snow today, and I am still without my camera. gs will be picking up my camera from Burlington on Friday.

Bye Bye B

2007-04-11T07:11:00.000-07:00

One half of the Super Dupers came for a visit yesterday. B came up for the night, she has been visiting her sister in Albany. We gave her the tour of the boonies, and went to the Alchemist for some home brew. B did agree that the Alchemist is like a nicer, cleaner version of the Tap house. She and gs were playing cribbage last night when I went to bed, I noticed they polished off a few bottles of red wine when I was getting ready for work this morning. B is back to her sisters today. It was great to have her up, if even for a day. I miss her, and her other half, very much. Our camera is still in Burlington, hopefully B will email me some pics from her visit.

We are set to get another snow and sleet storm Thursday and Friday, can you believe it? As long as we can get on the road Saturday, everything will be okay.

New Book Review by gs

2007-04-09T11:26:00.000-07:00

Check out the new review for Christine Falls by my dear gs.

National Poetry Month

2007-04-09T06:25:00.000-07:00

At our school assembly this morning, I learned that April is national poetry month. This is not something I would normally think much of, but after our school librarian read a poem to us this morning, I became a bit more interested in the idea. The librarian, a friend of mine, was talking about how five years ago today; she gave birth to her twin girls, both eight pounds by the way; that’s a lot of baby! Anyway, she read us a poem that I loved as a child, explaining to us that she would be reading it to her daughter's tonight. After her reading, I started thinking about how much I loved all kinds of poetry as a kid. These days, the only so called poetry I read is sent to me in a stupid email forward, next to a picture of a waterfall, or some other “inspiring” photograph. So, I have decided to post a few poems this month that capture my mood at the time. I am hoping this will help me to express some of the feelings going through me about moving back to VA, and starting the next phase of my life as a soon to be thirty-year-old.

So I will start with the poem from this morning, by Shell Silverstein.

"Listen to the MUSTN'TS, child,

Listen to the DON'TS

Listen to the SHOULDN'TS

The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON'TS

Listen to the NEVER HAVES Then listen close to me-- Anything can happen, child, ANYTHING can be."

My New Favorite Saturday Morning Cartoon

2007-04-07T08:10:00.000-07:00

This Canadian Dragon and his rescue cat were just killing me this morning. I am off to Burlington to meet up with gs. We currently have our 3 cats here, our stray Dizzy, and we are are keeping Dolce for Kim this weekend while she is in Montreal. I think they are colonizing, I better get out of the house soon!

Our new friend Dizzy

2007-04-05T15:13:00.000-07:00

We found this little guy living under our deck. We took him inside on Wednesday before the snow storm hit, that's right, I said snow storm! We took him to the vet, and he will be living in the study until we find him a home. He is about one, and he is gaining back his weight pretty fast. He is super sweet, he has not bitten or scratched us at all, and we have bathed him, blow dried him, picked him up, and put him in a kennel to go for his vaccinations. I hope we find him a home soon, he is super sweet! We are calling him Dizzy Gillespie because he has big jowls.

I will post some shots of our "sugar snow" storm tomorrow.

Wrinkle Surprise

2007-04-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

I was shocked to find a new wrinkle this morning, under my right eye. Up to this point, the only major wrinkles that have appeared on my face are laugh lines around my mouth. I got the first one at 26, and the second one at 29. I was thinking about my new eye wrinkle this afternoon when I was writing the date on the chalkboard, and realized that I will be 30 in exactly two months. As long is this eye wrinkle isn't the first member of a colony, I think I will be okay between now and June 3rd.

Poser

2007-04-01T16:15:00.000-07:00

Check the pet food recall list !!

2007-03-30T12:35:00.000-07:00

Check this site to make sure your pet food is not on the recall list for food tainted with Melamine, which is a plastic product. The food is causing kidney failure in cats and dogs, and thousands of animals may have died already. Thankfully our kitty food is not on the list, but at least 40 different brands of food are on the list. Scary!

Sweatshop Exhibit

2007-03-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

Some of our students from the Creating Sustainable Communities class put a jeans exhibit up in the school lobby. I am not looking forward to checking my jeans labels.

Name Help

2007-03-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

I want to create a blog to accompany my Online Portfolio, and Career Resource Website. I need to come up with a catchy name for the blog. It will be something mostly read by other teachers and employment/transition people, so it needs to be memorable but appropriate. I can only come up with terrible ideas, like "career corner".

any suggestions?

Another Norfolk trip

2007-03-26T10:40:00.000-07:00

gs and I will be coming to Norfolk, April 16-19th. He has a job interview at ODU, and I will be doing a couple of interviews at Chesapeake schools. I am still waiting to here back on the Norfolk job interview. As far as I know it is still going to happen, but I still need to do these other interviews just in case.

Ms. B will be coming for a visit next weekend and Mommy Spice will be up here with Ross the following weekend. I hope we can handle socializing with so many people under 50!

We are finally in the 40's this week. I slipped and fell on an icy patch of doodoo on Saturday while coming back from a hike on our mountain. gs only laughed for a few seconds before helping me up, I was impressed with his self control.

Mud Season and the Elusive Grouse

2007-03-23T15:51:00.000-07:00

Mud Season is here, and everything is melting. It makes for dirty shoes and rough back roads, but it means that Spring is finally on the way! Gs finally got some pictures of the camera shy grouse.

It is Spring, right?

2007-03-21T06:34:00.000-07:00

Almost a record low for the date today, at -1. We are anticipating freezing rain tomorrow. At least I will have a little extra time to get in shape for swimsuit season.

Avian Footprints

2007-03-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

Last night, we had what I hope was our last winter storm. We got about a foot here in the valley. This would seem like a lot if we hadn't had a blizzard last month. The birds behind the condo have been in search for food underneath all of the snow. I gave them some bread, and they came up on the deck for a visit.

Interview Postponed

2007-03-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

My interview was postponed, one of the interviewers has the flu, so they will re-schedule with me on Monday. I did find out that the position would be with the school district, not at an individual school, which is a little intimidating. I am actually really tired today, so I don't mind waiting just a little bit longer for the interview.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Keep everything crossed!

2007-03-13T09:51:00.000-07:00

I found out this morning that I have a phone interview Thursday afternoon at 2:30 for the Employment Specialist position I am interested in. Please send out happy thoughts for me until then!

Sunday Brunch

2007-03-11T10:05:00.000-07:00

Buckwheat Pancakes with Baked Apple Topping

Pancakes: Organic Buckwheat Pancake Mix with a dash of cinnamon and a teaspooon of vanilla.

Baked Apple Topping (Serves Two):

Cook on low heat: One large apple, chopped into thin squares. Add half a cup of apple juice, two teaspoons cinnamon, dash of nutmeg, three tablespoons of brown sugar (can sub with granulated Splenda), and one teaspoon butter or margarine. Cook for about twenty minutes with lid on, stir occasionally. If it is not thick enough for you, add sugar and cook a bit longer.

Optional: Add golden raisins or walnuts.

Optional: Add light maple syrup about 15 minutes into cooking, add gradually to taste.

Enjoy!

Town Meeting Day

2007-03-09T08:49:00.000-08:00

The annual town meeting day in Vermont was on Tuesday. Community members vote on everything from allowing a new store to come into town, to impeaching the president. gs and I thought this cartoon in the local Valley Reporter was kind of funny for a little local paper. (The meeting is usually followed by a large lunch of home made dishes)

Local Eats

2007-03-07T15:57:00.000-08:00

One thing that I will miss about Vermont is the easy access to delicious local foods; Cabot Cheese, Flatbread Pizza, Bakery Breads, Champlain Chocolates, Green Mountain Coffee, Dakin Farm Jam, Dairy milk, and fruits and veggies from the Co-op and farmer's markets. Speaking of local food, gs and I just had some of the new Stephen Colbert Ben &Jerry's ice cream, made at the factory about 20 minutes down the road. It's delicious.

Heavy Wet Snow

2007-03-06T14:55:00.000-08:00

Some pics of the snow/sleet storm we had. It was nothing compared to the blizzard last month.

Silhouette

2007-03-05T10:24:00.000-08:00

From Bed Head to Dreads

2007-03-04T10:56:00.000-08:00

I have moved from the bed to the couch as of last night. Actually, I went for a short walk yesterday, and drove to the grocery store this morning. Aside from a lingering fever, and some mild nausea, I am feeling a lot better. I think that I am actually going to get some paperwork done today. FYI, I have been showering, but I have been too sore to reach up and wash my hair, hence the pics below. Gs and I have been taking pictures of my hair for the last couple of days.I actually think I could start dreads if I felt like it.

Please don't be overly disturbed by how bad I look in these photos, I really do feel much better today. Just enjoy the nest that is my hair.

This is just a picture of me pouting, poor gs...

More knots

2007-03-02T09:56:00.000-08:00

Nica has become less cooperative as a scarf model. Here is a long chunky scarf I made. I have gotten in touch with my inner basic stitches and gauges, and it is time to move on to actual patterns. I have just started a pet blanket, made with leftover yarn, and a pattern I got from a book on clearance at b&n, called "The Cool Girls Guide to Crochet", kitschy kitschy! I forgot to mention that I have been in bed for a couple of days, this has made for good crafting time.

Birds in the snow

2007-03-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

Well, we are having a snow and sleet storm, or as the weather channel calls it, a "wintry mix". We have all kinds of birds around the condo, which is kind of strange as we thought they would have gone to warmer areas by now. We suspect they are still around because of the nests they have around our deck and in the woods behind the building. So far, we have not captured a good picture of the big blue jays, or the grouse that hangs out in front gs's office.

A long yarn

2007-03-01T15:23:00.000-08:00

I have been working on getting my basic crocheting techniques down, so these pics may bore crocheting or knitting experts. I made this fun ipod cover, and a simple scarf. Nica did not appreciate being woken up to model the scarf , but she decided to go with and gave the scarf a good grooming.

We are set to get a big storm in tonight, so I may have snow pics this weekend, stay tuned!

2007-02-26T09:07:00.000-08:00

The new review of "The House of Meetings" by Martin Amis is out, courtesy of gs. Check it out!

Dinner, Oscar, and Texas Hold'em

2007-02-26T07:10:00.000-08:00

We had a small dinner party last night, congrats to R for spanking everyone in poker. We enjoyed hearing part of DJ NOFUN's mix for 2006, soon to be released on CD.

Winter Break

2007-02-23T12:24:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! My winter break starts tomorrow, and lasts until March 7th. I have made a list of the things I want to accomplish, which I know is kind of uptight, but I am uptight, so I am just going to go with it.

1. Finish crocheting brown scarf.
2. Watch more Hitchcock.
3. Finish reading the Fermata
4. Finish my UVM research papers
5. Practice for March Interview
6. Update online portfolio
7. Hike in Stowe
8. See a movie at the theater (in town)
9. Start learning to play Chess with gs
10. Relax

Yes, I must schedule my relaxation.

Here is a pic from Cute Overload that I am currently in love with, especially in light of the recent visit from our skunky little neighbor.

Crazy Good News!!!!

2007-02-22T10:13:00.000-08:00

I just got a call from Norfolk Schools, they have an Employment/Transition Specialist position open for next year, and they want me to do a phone interview in a few weeks. It is similar to the job I have now, only I would just be working with Special Ed students, and I would not be teaching. I am not the only candidate for the position, so it is not a sure thing, but I am jumping up and down about the possibility. Aghhhh!!!

Appreciation

2007-02-20T14:04:00.000-08:00

I have to take a moment to thank my dear gs for all the things he has done for me lately, despite having plenty on his own plate. These include, but are not limited to; fedexing my medicine and contacts to me when I travelled to Norfolk, tracking down my cell phone as I came back from Norfolk, buying me cadbury eggs (and hiding them around the house for me to find), bringing my tennis shoes to my office so I could go straight to the gym, washing and putting away my clothes, downloading music onto my itunes, calling me at work just to say hi, giving sol his medicine every night, reading to me, picking out old movies for me to watch, making the bed hotel pretty, and tolerating my bad tv shows. My life would be a lot harder, and alot less interesting, without my husband.

Tea Rose

2007-02-19T15:20:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Mommy Spice for the delicious rose tea, it eases my homesickness!

Funky Skunky

2007-02-17T19:43:00.000-08:00

We have a new neighbor...

Back to work if you can believe it!

2007-02-16T08:40:00.000-08:00

Even though most of the schools in the state are still shut down today, our district decided to go for it! The ride in was a little dicey but at least 2/3rds of the staff and students made it in. Even though I wanted to stay in bed, I am glad to have one fewer day to add on to the end of the year. I know I am going to be itching to get out of here by June.

I did get a call from the Suffolk school district, they want me to come to town for a few principal interviews the first week of May, I will likely be doing the same thing for Chesapeake. I am going to hold out for a little while before buying a plane ticket, I am still hoping for a magical call from Norfolk about a job in their career program. I have been discouraged so far about the jobs I have seen working at colleges in the Norfolk area, so far every job I have seen in my field pays about 8-10,000 less that I would make at a high school. I am not shallow, but that is a big difference. Still, I am encouraged by the call from Suffolk. I feel like I am making progress!

Blizzard finally over

2007-02-15T08:52:00.000-08:00

Well, the snow has finally stopped. We have spent the last hour in the parking lot working to get cars out, the snowblower was really cool to watch. We hear that the roads are still bad, but hopefully things will be cleared by the morning. Here are some pictures, as you can see, the picnic table has dissapeared. Also, you can only see the mirror of the car. I would say we got almost 3 feet of snow in a twelve hour period.

It just keeps coming

2007-02-14T12:30:00.000-08:00

The snow has only increased since my last post, it is falling at a rate of about 2 inches per hour. We are inside, and will likely be fine, but the storm is starting to make me a bit nervous. It has also started to get more windy in the last half hour, I am just hoping we don't lose power. gs says that probably won't happen, and I hope he is right.

I am just sitting on the couch grading papers, and using my itunes gift card from Christmas. gs says it's wine time, gotta go....

1:30

3:30

Let It Snow

2007-02-14T09:39:00.000-08:00

What promised to be a heavy snow storm has now turned into a blizzard. Gs and I made a difficult walk down to the general store for more provisions, we wanted to get out of the house while we still could. We have gotten at least a foot and a half of snow since the wee hours of the morning. We may get another 2 feet beforeThursday morning. This is by far the biggest snow storm we have had since moving to Vermont. We have rented some Hitchcock movies, and have already started a Scrabble tournament. I am gearing myself up to edit about 30 student autobiographies, and gs is going to try and finish his Best of 06 CD. I would be surprised if we were able to leave the house before Friday, or more likely Saturday. We'll See.

Midnight Last Night

10 AM This Morning

Noon Today

Blizzard

2007-02-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

bliz·zard [bliz-erd] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun

Meteorology.

a.	a storm with dry, driving snow, strong winds, and intense cold.

b.	a heavy and prolonged snowstorm covering a wide area.

2.	an inordinately large amount all at one time; avalanche: a blizzard of Christmas cards.

–verb (used without object)

3.	to snow as a blizzard: Looks as though it's going to blizzard tonight.

[Origin: 1820–30, Americanism; earlier: violent blow, shot; cf. Brit. dial. (Midlands) blizzer, blizzom blaze, flash, anything that blinds momentarily; prob. expressive formations with components of blast, blaze¹, bluster, etc.]

—Related forms

bliz·zard·y, bliz·zard·ly, adjective

For PP

2007-02-13T10:30:00.000-08:00

Found this at cuteoverload, I am still playing wii in my dreams...

Snowy Valentine

2007-02-13T05:55:00.000-08:00

We are expecting perhaps the biggest winter storm since living in Vermont late tonight, and through Thursday morning. We are supposed to get 1-2 feet of snow and near blizzard conditions.

My Little Copy Cats

2007-02-11T11:23:00.000-08:00

Hearty Apple Walnut Muffins

2007-02-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

I have been working on adapting some of my favorite baked goods since I got my new mixer for Christmas. This is my favorite so far, I adapted it from the Joy of Cooking.

**It is important to follow the mixing method as directed, if you put everything together at the same time, the texture of the muffins will be off.**

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a muffin pan. I use a calorie free organic canola spray. I don't use muffin cups, I just put them in a non stick pan.

Whisk together:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt (a little less if you use sea salt)

Whisk together in a seperate large bowl:

2 large eggs
3/4 cup Granulated Splenda

Stir in with the eggs and Splenda, and let stand for ten minutes :

1 1/2 chopped apples (about 2 medium apples)

Stir in with apple and egg mixture:

2 tablespoons unsweetened apple sauce
2 tablespoons melted margarine
1/2 cup crushed walnuts

Add the flour mixture and fold until the batter is moist. It should not be smooth, and if you try to use the mixer to do this part, the batter will gunk up the mixer.

Divide the batter in the muffin cups, and bake for 14-16 minutes. The muffins will not rise, they will look the same as they do when you put them in the pan. You can insert a fork or toothpick in two muffins, they are done if it comes out clean. I just pick up a muffin and see if the bottom looks done and then take them out.

Enjoy!

Norfolk Pics

2007-02-08T15:56:00.000-08:00

Luckless Me

2007-02-08T12:01:00.000-08:00

I am having a streak of bad luck, first I left my luggage in Vermont when I came to Norfolk, then I left my cell phone in Norfolk when I came back to Vermont, and now I just found out that my car has a flat tire. Someone needs to send me a lucky charm.

Back in the green mountains

2007-02-07T08:28:00.000-08:00

I returned safe and sound at about one o'clock this morning. My first flight was moved to an earlier time, and my second flight lifted off about two hours late, oh yeah, and I left my cell in the rental car. The interviews went well. I am most interested in Norfolk schools, as they have a career program and seemed interested in hiring me if a position opened up. Suffolk and Chesapeake said they would like to set me up to interview with specific principals around May, but that would be for social studies. The Va beach interview went fine, but I am not interested in them, they are just way to standards based. It looks like I may have to come back for the principal interviews in April or May. All in all, I felt confident about the job prospects.

It was great to see everyone, and I really enjoyed staying with C and B. Thanks to everyone who came out to see me, despite it being a busy work week for most of you. This was the longest I have spent in Norfolk since moving, and seeing everyone was very encouraging for my spirit. I did feel somewhat socially awkward, being out of practice living in Vermont, and I definately did not want to say goodbye to everyone. I would have taken everyone home with me if I could have. I took some good pics that I will post soon.