I have returned to school. One of the things that I have to do for my Psychology and Sociology classes is to read articles and write reaction papers and critical analysis's of them.
The very first article I chose to do a reaction paper to is very near and dear to me. http://www.newsweek.com/id/229957
I loved the way this article tore apart the conservative arguments against gay and lesbians being able to be married.
The big argument behind the conservative push to keep same-sex couples from getting married is that same-sex couple marriages would ruin the institution of marriage. Everyone from Jay Leno to the corner store cashier have said something to the effect of "Let them be as miserable as we are, let them get married."
Not allowing same-sex couples to marry has not helped society. It also hasn't helped the economy. Same-sex couples, in most states, cannot jointly own property without jumping through MANY MANY legal hoops. Insurance is another huge issue, as is retirement funding.
I love this quote: "We've been demonized so long that the reality is when we actually do come out, so much of the fear evaporates," said Jones.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
A new twist
This next semester will be a little different for us than last semester.
L has learned she will not be able to return to College Station just yet. She has to undergo a lot of physical therapy on her leg and there is no way she will be able to do all of this on her own and be at the University. So we have another warm body at home.
It is going to be a hectic semester. More for Ker than for me for the most part. I am taking two courses online through the local college in order to finish the requirements for my full Iowa license. Ker is also taking two grad classes. So she is taking L to all of her appointments, taking N to all of his appointments, K and C to their monthly appointments, going to her appointments, and then handling grad classes. What else did I miss? Her plate is pretty full.
Her classes are night classes, which stinks to a point because that's when I am actually home, but it gets her out of the house and gives her some adult connections other than myself. I know she needs it, craves it. She does seem to enjoy the classes she takes, even when she complains.
The second semester is beginning soon and today is a teacher's work day. I would rather be home. it's raining, its cold, and Ker is sitting at home. However, I do know I will get more work done her and I am trying to prepare for this next semester. The more I get done now the less I have to scramble later. At least that is the thought and hope.
L has learned she will not be able to return to College Station just yet. She has to undergo a lot of physical therapy on her leg and there is no way she will be able to do all of this on her own and be at the University. So we have another warm body at home.
It is going to be a hectic semester. More for Ker than for me for the most part. I am taking two courses online through the local college in order to finish the requirements for my full Iowa license. Ker is also taking two grad classes. So she is taking L to all of her appointments, taking N to all of his appointments, K and C to their monthly appointments, going to her appointments, and then handling grad classes. What else did I miss? Her plate is pretty full.
Her classes are night classes, which stinks to a point because that's when I am actually home, but it gets her out of the house and gives her some adult connections other than myself. I know she needs it, craves it. She does seem to enjoy the classes she takes, even when she complains.
The second semester is beginning soon and today is a teacher's work day. I would rather be home. it's raining, its cold, and Ker is sitting at home. However, I do know I will get more work done her and I am trying to prepare for this next semester. The more I get done now the less I have to scramble later. At least that is the thought and hope.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Happy New Year!
I can hardly believe it is 2010 already - and I'll be heading back to school from our holiday break soon.
I have really, really enjoyed the time off this year. I am one of those people who seem to have a hard time around the holidays. I don't go through the why am I here stuff, I just seem to be an emotional roller coaster. This year, I think I did better than in year's past. I hope I did.
I have gotten back into sewing. Made a blanket for, or in the process of finishing up, every one of our kids. Ker is really supportive of it, and it does seem to relax me. Do I get irritated when something doesn't go quite like I planned? Yes. But I know I can fix it. I am proud of the little creations that I can give them. Sounds nuts to some, but it means something. I have always been thankful to have something my grandmother made.
There is a "tradition" of resolutions for the New Year. I have never really taken them seriously because it seems those who go out of their way to make a resolution doom themselves to failure. It is as if they are only making the declaration to be public about it and not because it is something they truly intend to continue or truly need to do.
Before the New Year came about I proclaimed that I intend to live healthier, to watch my weight, to handle the stress of teaching better, and to be a better mom and wife. I am fortunate to have the family I have, as rough as things might get at times, they are my family and I am very blessed.
I have a great wife. She is loving, caring, cuddly, and puts up with my hijinks. I love to see her smile, truly smile and I have seen her smile more during these last few months than I can recall in the last year or so.
My marriage has had its share of up and downs. I am very thankful to be able to say we weather the downs together much better than we did before. We are a stronger couple, a better partnership, than we were just six months ago.
My own biological daughter is about to turn 13. I ask for the wisdom to see us through her teen years without putting a huge wall between us. I look forward to watching her grow as much as I cry at the thought of her growing up.
My New Year's resolution: keep going into the positive direction I have been working on going in. Don't forget where we were; I don't want to return there. Realize that no matter how difficult things may be outside this house, that when I come home it is all worth it.
My family, my life, my love, my wife.
I have really, really enjoyed the time off this year. I am one of those people who seem to have a hard time around the holidays. I don't go through the why am I here stuff, I just seem to be an emotional roller coaster. This year, I think I did better than in year's past. I hope I did.
I have gotten back into sewing. Made a blanket for, or in the process of finishing up, every one of our kids. Ker is really supportive of it, and it does seem to relax me. Do I get irritated when something doesn't go quite like I planned? Yes. But I know I can fix it. I am proud of the little creations that I can give them. Sounds nuts to some, but it means something. I have always been thankful to have something my grandmother made.
There is a "tradition" of resolutions for the New Year. I have never really taken them seriously because it seems those who go out of their way to make a resolution doom themselves to failure. It is as if they are only making the declaration to be public about it and not because it is something they truly intend to continue or truly need to do.
Before the New Year came about I proclaimed that I intend to live healthier, to watch my weight, to handle the stress of teaching better, and to be a better mom and wife. I am fortunate to have the family I have, as rough as things might get at times, they are my family and I am very blessed.
I have a great wife. She is loving, caring, cuddly, and puts up with my hijinks. I love to see her smile, truly smile and I have seen her smile more during these last few months than I can recall in the last year or so.
My marriage has had its share of up and downs. I am very thankful to be able to say we weather the downs together much better than we did before. We are a stronger couple, a better partnership, than we were just six months ago.
My own biological daughter is about to turn 13. I ask for the wisdom to see us through her teen years without putting a huge wall between us. I look forward to watching her grow as much as I cry at the thought of her growing up.
My New Year's resolution: keep going into the positive direction I have been working on going in. Don't forget where we were; I don't want to return there. Realize that no matter how difficult things may be outside this house, that when I come home it is all worth it.
My family, my life, my love, my wife.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Back to reality...
We are home again. Reality has returned... some. I am determined not to let things stress me as they have in the past. It won't be easy, but I am such a better person of I don't allow things to get to me. I want to be able to enjoy Christmas.
I have started making another quilt. I finished a blanket already and have started on one for our room. Its a little more detailed than I have attempted before, but I want to try.
I have started making another quilt. I finished a blanket already and have started on one for our room. Its a little more detailed than I have attempted before, but I want to try.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Visit to Austin
We are in Austin. We were finally able to get a coupe of days away together, just the two of us. My Holiday Break began Friday and runs through the 4th of Jan. The younger two are spending a couple of days with the father, so we are taking the chance to get away. Just the two of us. We are doing some shopping, some looking around, but basically we are just spending time together, alone, without any children. It is AWESOME!!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
OMG, what a week! What happened to vacation?
Where do I even begin with this past week? I really want to know what happened to vacation? I need a vacation from my vacation.
Tuesday K went to the doctor for her blood test results. Seems she may have something called Haroshima's Syndrome. It has to do with her thyroid. If she does have it, many things would be explained. She could begin taking medicine and maybe things would get seriously better.
So Tuesday we are trying to digest what we have learned about K's health and we get a call from our eldest daughter. She has been in a car accident.
This is a big deal seeing that she isn't just around the corner for us to go to her side. She is 4 hours away. Thats 4 hours of a constant 70 -75 mph mind you.
She was in the back right seat of a car that was hit, while at a full stop, by a truck doing 70mph. Hit on the back right side mind you. She was trapped in the car for a bit because the front seat collapsed on her leg, pinning her.
Thankfully her brother is going to the same university, and although he was at work once he found out what was going on he left work and beat her to the hospital.
She is doing well. She is in a lot of pain. Her left leg and lower back received the most damage. Nothing is broken, but it may have been easier for it had it been. There are few spots on her leg that does not have bruising. We brought her home.
There was no way she was going to be able to climb into her 6 ft loft bed or get around on her own, which is what staying would have required. We brought her home to helo her heal faster and better.
We brought her home, for peace of mind.
Tuesday K went to the doctor for her blood test results. Seems she may have something called Haroshima's Syndrome. It has to do with her thyroid. If she does have it, many things would be explained. She could begin taking medicine and maybe things would get seriously better.
So Tuesday we are trying to digest what we have learned about K's health and we get a call from our eldest daughter. She has been in a car accident.
This is a big deal seeing that she isn't just around the corner for us to go to her side. She is 4 hours away. Thats 4 hours of a constant 70 -75 mph mind you.
She was in the back right seat of a car that was hit, while at a full stop, by a truck doing 70mph. Hit on the back right side mind you. She was trapped in the car for a bit because the front seat collapsed on her leg, pinning her.
Thankfully her brother is going to the same university, and although he was at work once he found out what was going on he left work and beat her to the hospital.
She is doing well. She is in a lot of pain. Her left leg and lower back received the most damage. Nothing is broken, but it may have been easier for it had it been. There are few spots on her leg that does not have bruising. We brought her home.
There was no way she was going to be able to climb into her 6 ft loft bed or get around on her own, which is what staying would have required. We brought her home to helo her heal faster and better.
We brought her home, for peace of mind.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Move update....
Still not happening any time soon, but there seems to be some movement in my favor.
I spoke with the licensing department in the state we want to move to and they have everything except my fingerprints. Those were sent out last week so they should be getting them very soon. Once that is done I will be able to say I am licensed to teach there.
One of the things I have to clear up, quickly, is what I will be certified to teach. I am two classes shy of being all social sciences there. TWO!! I could take them in the spring, but I want to make sure I will be able to add it to my license without problems.
The next good thing was an email from the principal of the school I want to teach at. He is very interested in my credential and once the budget issue clears up I should be getting called in for an interview. I hate interviews. I need to make sure I get some practice at them between now and then.
I spoke with the licensing department in the state we want to move to and they have everything except my fingerprints. Those were sent out last week so they should be getting them very soon. Once that is done I will be able to say I am licensed to teach there.
One of the things I have to clear up, quickly, is what I will be certified to teach. I am two classes shy of being all social sciences there. TWO!! I could take them in the spring, but I want to make sure I will be able to add it to my license without problems.
The next good thing was an email from the principal of the school I want to teach at. He is very interested in my credential and once the budget issue clears up I should be getting called in for an interview. I hate interviews. I need to make sure I get some practice at them between now and then.
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