Wait, what?

It could be funny, but it isn't, really.

All those plans I had in my last post on how I was going to find more time by accepting less subbing jobs. GREAT plan.

Until I got sick.

So, yeah ... I'm not subbing, but I'm not doing much of anything else, either. Maybe a little "putzing" around, doing a few things on a little bit of energy. Feeling like I'm losing time. Feeling like I've lost out on LOTS of subbing opportunities - there were at least 8 today, and about 5 for tomorrow that I couldn't accept. (Well, okay, I can't accept ALL of them anyway, but you know what I mean.)

It's funny how I always think I've got these great ideas, great plans. But then God tells me to look at Him. And I realize that it's all going to be fine - He's got it under control. And aren't we all glad that it's Him and not me ...

Let's see if THIS works.

So, it's almost December. And I really could use some extra time.

This is my plan: I'm only going to accept subbing jobs for things I really love, use the extra time to get ready for Christmas without going into a frenzy, and try not to feel guilty about the work I could have had but chose not to.

I could also use the extra time to catch up on my course work for my necessary credits to make my certification active.

After subbing for over a year, I've figured out what I'd like to do. If I had my way, I would have a job teaching music full-time at either the elementary or intermediate level, or only take subbing jobs that I really want to do. Because there are definitely some that I don't want.

But, I'm getting off-topic here. The main thing is that I want to have time to focus on the things I love about the Christmas season, and the things that actually need to be done.

God sent His Son into this world as a baby. He did this because I have a sin problem and I need a Savior. I want to focus on this, on the words to songs that tell His story, and on my family. I want to bake cookies. I want to buy/make presents. I want to stay calm.

So, here we go. I'll let you know what happens.

Wait. It's October?

But it was just summer.

I did manage to take it somewhat easy this past summer.

God was definitely leading, and I turned down one teaching job, and was not offered the other. But that's okay - subbing will give me the time to get the credits I need without making myself crazy.

But anyway, I came on here to write about our vacation. It was wonderful. It was what we really, REALLY needed. Even though I went into it with a cold. Even though I injured myself. Even though the weather was cloudy and sometimes rainy. Even though I only had one day where I sort of went in the water.

We REALLY relaxed. We talked, read, took walks on the beach and the boardwalk, watched the Phillies on tv, ate 3 brothers pizza. We sat on the beach and the boardwalk and stared at the ocean. There was a lot of time to think. God really taught me some things and pointed me in a direction I needed to go in.

Two weeks off the Internet (except for 3 times when we had to quick do some banking, etc.) was amazing. I didn't miss it. And it helped me to use it much more sparingly when I got back.

I brought some of the calm back with me, and I love it.

A new direction

Something I've been thinking about for some time now is the fact that there are so many things that I love to do, and I never get to any of them. So many ideas in my head, but never following through. No money + no time + other things that seem more important = none of these things get done.

Well, I've decided that as my summer ends, I want to use part of the remaining days of it for productive fun! This mostly means crafts, but some of it means re-doing some areas in the house that have needed attention. I also plan to spend more time on my Act 48 courses. As subbing starts, I'll use my days off.

For me, getting started is a big part of everything. So right now, I am between coats of spray paint on our ugly gold-ish mailbox. I also started another project which I've had in my head for 6 years - ever since we moved into this house and I discovered some unused/unpainted shutters in the basement. I'm not telling what I'm doing with them - you'll have to wait and see!

Which brings me to two more things: one, I'm really glad that Sara invited me to Pinterest, which is a website to gather, sort, and store ideas. This has been instrumental in re-starting the flow of my creative juices. The other is this: I'm thinking about starting a blog in addition to this one just for things that I have completed. I think it would be fun, and would further spur me on. I'll let you know when that one is up and running.

But for now ... one last coat on the mailbox, and off to Home Depot & Michaels for ...oh .. you'll see! :o)

Starting today?

I mentioned in my last post about wanting to spend my summer the way God wants me to. My summer officially started on June 13, so here I am, two and a half weeks into it. For the past two weeks I've been spending a lot of time filling out summer job applications, both paper and online. I keep checking the PA Educator website for openings in public schools. I check the websites of school districts that aren't listed on PA Educator. I check Christian school websites.

I've done some running around with Leah so she can apply for a summer job. I had an interview with FLCA. I worked on the lesson plan (and the second lesson plan!) for the second interview with FLCA.

I've made breakfast for the Men's Prayer Breakfast at our house most Saturday mornings, I've gone to two graduation parties, and had my usual weekly commitments of summer piano lessons and praise team practice.

I've watched some great movies and episodes of House with Don and Leah.

But it hasn't felt like summer yet. The pool isn't open yet. I haven't spent any time out on the deck. I haven't done anything I can't do during the school year.

So that's why I decided last night that summer is officially starting today. I planted some new flowers in the new pots I put down by our steps last night. Today I might clean up the deck, or pull some weeds, or work on a craft project, or all three. Or read.

Because that's what summer is all about. And God may yet send a summer job my way, but until He does (or doesn't!) , I'm going to have a glass of iced tea and enjoy the gift of summer.

Summer school, anyone?

So, this is basically a prayer request.

I just came back from applying for a summer teaching job at Kinder Care Learning Center. I thought it was just a daycare place, but it turns out they have school age kids (K to age 12) there during the summer, and have an actual curriculum that they follow with them. They also take them on field trips, to the library, have speakers come in, etc.

It would likely be full time or close to full time (days, of course), but only M-F, which suits me fine.

Sounds like a good possibility for me.

Please pray - my main goal is to spend the summer the way God wants me to spend it.

Thanks! :o)

That pesky emptying nest

It's just so crazy.

Yes, I love it when it's just me & Don.
Yes, I love it when Leah is home.
Yes, I love it when everyone is here.

I'm not sure what that all means, but sometimes it's hard. And I guess I just figured out that it's the transitions that are the hardest. People coming, people going. Leah. No Leah. The "but wait ... I wasn't done yet" feeling.

I guess the reasons the transitions are so hard is because of the distance. Because it's not like I can say, "Wow, that was fun - I think I'll go hang out with *insert family member name here* a little bit today so we can *insert activity or topic of discussion* "

People, no people. Work, no work. Things I want to do, things I can't do. I guess the reason I'm such a mess about these things is that God has made me to be with Him and others. The Christian's heart longs for heaven, even when we don't realize it.

So, I'll keep running around bumping into things while I am here on this earth, and be content...

Because there's a big party coming someday.