Iowa weather

Iowa weather is nutty. Today, one part of the state was under a thunderstorm warning while another was under a winter storm warning. We got the rain and hail.

Anyway, there is little to no grass in front of our apartment. This is where Sam goes out to go potty, but he is picky about his paws and doesn't like to get them wet or muddy. Both happen to him if it is raining out.

So, I tried to help him out today and made him some "rain boots." He was not thrilled at first:

You can even see the mud tracked in from the past in this photo up by the Swiffer.

However, the next time when we went out, I made him some bigger ones, and he actually sat patiently while I put them on and didn't try to rip them off. He even trotted down to the mail box with me and didn't seem to be bothered by them. I think he actually figured out that they kept his paws dry, warmer, and clean.

Something has frozen over...

So this week brought the weather I so hated growing up in Iowa in January. Damn cold is the only way to explain it. When the high is below zero, that's just ridiculous.

All week on the weather, they've been talking about we haven't had cold weather for this long of a period since 1996. I remember that cold snap. I holed up in my room the entire week (we had no school because it was too damn cold). My room had a floorboard heater, which I had cranked, and this made my room the warmest in the house. I'd stick my head out every once in a while, yell for some food and listen to my dad gripe that I was going to set the house on fire by dropping something onto the heater (he was paranoid about fire).


Anyway, I decided that I was going to get equipment to help beat the cold that manages to freeze your nostrils together in a matter of seconds (it hurts, trust me). So, while walking through my favorite store here - Scheels (it's a sporting goods store filled with all manner of cold-weather fighting gear) - I found this hat. It may look dorky, but it makes my head sweat. I kid you not. I can go out in this weather, and my head and hands (woo hoo for my fancy gloves) will be sweating. It's a lovely, lovely feeling.

Part of the reason that I got all of this gear was that one of the munchkins turned 8 this week, and we were supposed to go sledding this weekend for her party. Sadly, the stupid weather has postponed it, but my hat, gloves, snow pants (the boy even got some of those this week), and boots will be waiting.

I also gave into fashion and decided I needed a pair of Uggs. Now, I always thought they were ridiculous when the anorexics of La-La Land wore them in summer, and I didn't understand why they were needed in Florida. Here, though, they make sense. I have been coveting a pair since going back to work after Christmas break. I see all the girls with them on and all their fleecy goodness as my feet freeze in my cute flats or heels. So, I searched online and found these:


They aren't as ugly as the typical Uggs, but they're just as warm. However, the problem is no one here has the grey ones. And they weren't much easier to find online, thanks to Oprah making them one of her favorites of 2008. So, they got ordered directly from Ugg central, and I should have them by the end of next week.

The saddest story of the week was Sam Puppy. He had some issues with having to go outside to potty in the frigid weather. He'd submerge himself into drifts so his little belly wouldn't get hit by the wind. Of course, he still managed to look like an idiot because he hops around when his paws get too cold. He was thrilled today that it got up to a balmy 18.

Yes, I used balmy to describe 18.

A bit late

So these photos are from October. Oops.

It started with Emily, pictured below, deciding that everyone had to go to the pumpkin patch on the same day.



So, everyone went because it makes life easier if you just agree with Emily.

If you look closely at Sam's shirt (baby on the left), you can see a small bulge toward the top. He decided that his shirt made a good storage spot for his binky. Everyone thought it was missing, but he had just stuffed it down his shirt.

The pumpkin patch has a play area as well as a hayrack ride down to the patch. They even had a fire pit to roast marshmallows. Jeremy, as you can see, decided to join in on the trike races. I attempted to throw a football; I'm still not good at it, nor should I try to catch it.


All the kids picked out pumpkins. Emily took my advice and got what I said was the most perfect pumpkin in the patch. However, it was a bit too big for her to carry, so she held on to Sam's. Taylor chose to not carry hers at all, which is why she's the only one without one.





And of course, the kids seemed to be most excited about the farm cat that was hanging around.

Woops

This is us, overlooking Florence.

So, I kinda forgot about this blog. Woops. Anyway, to quickly sum it up, we're still the apartment; house isn't sold; but life is good. I'm subbing full-time. I honestly have a job every day. I start classes on Jan. 20 through Mizzou's online program. I'm not in a graduate program yet, so I don't know what my degree will be in. I'm just "testing" the waters right now. Jeremy still likes his job and loves this winter weather. He's also in hockey heaven; he's in two leagues, and we'll be going to Vegas in April because he's on a traveling team (it's their only trip.). This means I get to finally see the Beatles' Love.

And, that about sums it up! Here's some pet photos (Chewy doesn't like to demean herself with crazy Christmas hijinks.)

Sam faces off with an evil bow. The main thing to point out in this photo is that he is not trying to eat the bow or harass me while I'm wrapping presents. I think he was admitting defeat in that something else was taking up my attention other than him.

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Miho apparently thinks she is worth of being wrapped as someone's present.

Update

Well, we are still in the apartment w/ no exit date in sight. I'm ready for the Pensacola house to sell so we can get the ball rolling. Sell, house, sell!

My job situation, however, is looking up. I am waiting for a background check so I can substitute. This is just for one district; I've still got one other district. I also have an interview on Thursday for a part-time communications director position at a local church. It is only 10 to 15 hours a week, so I should be able to do it along with subbing. One of the girls who works with Jeremy passed the job to me and put in a good word for me with the minister. So, send me good vibes on Thursday at 4:15!

Still not going according to plan

So, I won't be going to Drake. I'm not in the mood to pay for a private school to HAVE to do student teaching, which I don't need to get my certificate. I'm looking into online programs now, which means no student teaching and a less intense program, most likely. Mizzou has one that I really like; I just have to make sure it matches up with what I need for my certificate. I will have to take some undergrad classes, but I can take those at a community college for cheaper than at Drake. Besides, if I "go" to Mizzou, I don't have to take the GRE or any test, whereas at Drake, I have to take a writing test and the Praxis. And, I don't have to worry about paying to get my transcripts there because they obviously already have them. I wonder if I get to keep my student number, which I still know.

The daycare job plan went kaputt. Long story short, they lied all over the place. I will not work for pennies to change diapers. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for an awesome job that is at Meredith publishing. I can handle journalism again as long as it isn't at a daily. I did have a preinterview today at a company that designs newsletters, web pages, etc. for non profits. Right now, I'll just be happy with anything. And being able to do my masters online will make it much easier for me to have a full-time job.

Good news

OK. After the freak outs of last week, things are looking up.

A. I am going to go back to school at Drake. They have a specific master's program for people who weren't education majors, and it makes sure you get your Iowa certification -- plus the master's. I am talking to them on Monday.

B. I spent today applying for any and all jobs I could find. I decided to focus on day cares -- while it isn't exactly teaching the age I want, it is still working with kids. It pays a smidge better than teaching plus I still get benefits.

C. After applying, I got a call back within about 30 minutes. I had to do an online survey/test thing (which I got an excellent on) and got a call back 20 minutes after that. I interview on Thursday. I also have an opportunity to work at Sylvan, but that's just part-time, so I don't think I'll take that.

As long as I can get a job to pay the bills and my yarn/book/DVD/clothes/shoe habit, we're good. I don't have to love it for two years, but I think working at a day care would be a good choice. Keep your fingers crossed!