Queenies Little Kingdom

In case you were wondering…

I am fully dressed today.   I went to bed last night wondering if I'd get called in to sub and woke up bright and early to that 6am phone call.

Most high schools don't take kindly to fuzzy bathrobes,  or so I hear.  Which is okay with me since getting dressed does wonders for your attitude.  Right?

I'm happy and it has to be related to getting up & at it…or the fact that I'm working in AP US History classes.  Smart people are fun!!

Speaking of smart people,  I miss my hubby.  Texas is going to keep him busy for months.  I know he hates being gone …but somebody's gotta do it.  Hunters want to hunt and they'll need a lodge to stay in.  Sulphur Bluff's Hageman Reserve opens in October!  If all goes as planned.

I can hang on a little longer.  For the sake of all those hunt club members.  I know it will be worth it!!

Have a great Wednesday!

I didn't work today.  But that didn't stop the automated calling machine from calling me over 10 times!  I'll admit it, that's not a good thing for our "relationship"!  I'm not one to be bossed around, usually.  But when it comes to 6:03am through 8 something A.M. — it's probably safe to conclude I will be rebellious!   This dudette considers SLEEP a love language!

It's my own fault though.  I have a tiny bit of control over the calling and picking of work days.  With the exception of some "rules" shared during the Sub Training class…..turning off the calling mode is an admittance of YOU CAN'T COUNT ON ME TO WORK so they put you into the non-work day category.  I don't want a reputation, you guys!  So, instead of admitting that I was unavailable for today….I paid the Piper and fought with my ringing (yes it was on silent) phone all morning.

Then….got an email!

Boy, they're serious about subs around here!

I had no idea that I had signed up for a NO CHOICE part-time job.  I thought substituting was one of those no pressure-work-when-you-can jobs.  I'm not looking to make a career here.  Plus, I'm not willing to go where I don't feel my best.  Elementary and middle school grades are foreign missionary lands to me.  I am old enough to know what I'm best at and I'd like to think that I have some control over my life….therefore, I will handpick my jobs!  Ok, Aesop?

That's enough early morning banter.  You're probably wondering why I'm still in my bathrobe at 1pm in the afternoon.  Or not.  I have no solid excuse.  Other than I am being lazy and I woke up to a crazy snow day outside.  Lame, I know.  I kissed my hubby off to Texas this morning and had BIG PLANS to color my hair, exercise and wash the dog.  I'm still getting ready to do it.  All of it.  Really.

So now that I've admitted to such atrocious laziness….I'm getting jiggy with it and taking off this pink robe so I can cover my inch long gray roots.  To make it look like I'm a real go-getter, I'm even going to wash my bedding and the smelly dog!  Not together.

Don't call me.  I won't answer.  Even if you call 10 times!

Consider this a happy announcement:  My lost camera has been found!!

I take zero credit for the finding of it.  But I totally own the losing of it back in good ole December.   Seems like I was in some sort of packing hurry.  My fave guy found it deep at the bottom of a tall box packed with framed art from our old family room.

I don't know what's wrong with me.

I lose things.  I search for things.  Constantly.

On Friday,  I bought a big beautiful sweet potato for a steak dinner I planned to cook over the weekend.  Yea, lost it!  Or perhaps the lady loading my groceries snagged it.  She looked hungry!  Either way, no potato for us…..so I cooked a package of frozen sweet potato patties.  Not the same, at least I could find them.

I've also been on the hunt for my flat iron since moving.  Finally,  I gave up and bought a new one YESTERDAY.  Guess what I found as soon as I got back home?  Yea, my stinking flat iron.   I'm beginning to think I have a problem.   Or many problems.

The best I can do is try to be more organized and then maybe….I won't lose everything!

I'm still doing the happy dance over my camera.  Thanks Honey!!

My life since December 20th has been relatively quiet….and boring.   Not every day,  just many of them.  Today, I embark on another NEW chapter.

Subbing.

A new school, full of strangers….with so many differences and yet so many similarities.  On my drive in this morning, I noticed the sights on my roads look very different at 7:45am than they do in the afternoon hours.  I haven't had to get up and hustle in months.

It was sort of fun!!!

I didn't really think much about my encounter with new students until I was already on my way to school.  It hit me…..Will they like me?  I had nothing to prove at my old school.  I knew everyone, they loved me like I am mostly because I had grown on them.

I miss them.  But God has a plan and I have to move on.  I can't sit around hoping people like me.  It's GO time!  I have 45 days left to leave a little piece of my heart with the staff & students of Zionsville Community High School.

I'm so glad to be back to work!  And it's on my favorite day……Friday jeans day!!!!

God,
You love on me in the sweetest of ways.  Shine bright through me here in this new place.
Amen

You might have started your day with the ringing in of S P R I N G….but I started mine with the first early morning ringing of my cellphone to substitute teach.  At an elementary school.  Uhm, pass!

I like little kids.  Really.  I just couldn't jump in COLD TURKEY at the last minute and work with them.  Maybe soon.  Like, if I'm desperate for days to fill in…soon.  Naah, who am I fooling?  I don't want go there.

I belong with teenagers.  They get me.  I get them.  Done deal!

I was a little surprised to get the call because today is the day I go in for the district's REQUIRED sub training.  Who calls you in to work before you've even been trained?  What if I skipped a ritual?  Or didn't sign in at the right place?  Who knows what kind of havoc could ensue with me being THE NEW LADY?

Too risky!

It's all cool.  I'm working tomorrow at the high school and I couldn't be happier!

I have to tell you what was going on when I got the call this morning.  I was completely caught up in a dream that involved my old school kids.  I was standing at an intersection not far from the school and the bell had obviously just rang because all the students were filing past me…PUSHING SHOPPING CARTS!

No, I'm not kidding!

They were lined up…..pushing by me and I called out to one of my students that I know and told her she could stay with me instead of her grandma.  Her mom was nervous about going out of town and unsure if the grandma could handle watching her kids.  So, I told her they could stay with me.  Dang, I'm nice….even when I'm dead asleep!

Who am I?  Maybe I don't really want to know.

That's when my phone rang and ended my babysitting gig!

I'm all good now and not volunteering for anything that involves kids pushing shopping carts on city streets.  But I am totally excited to start working tomorrow!  Real people, real connections…..and money for it to boot!  Winning!!

It's quiet here!  The dust has finally settled and the party is officially over.  Today, I'll take down what is left of the birthday celebration and put it all away.  One blaring conclusion that I've gleaned from a long weekend of partying is…

We are living like old people.

I confess, both hubby and I were so tired last night that we fell into bed like we'd been on a long safari.  Even Miss Lizzy is living in recovery mode.  Who knew having an empty nest would make us so rested?

Don't worry, I'm all about filling my house with people and love any time I can get them to come.  But there's some good vibes in having nothing to do or anyone to entertain….and I will cherish both noisey days and lonely ones too!  God is good and I feel blessed to have access to both!

I've been doing a little wish therapy today.  Some call it online shopping but I'm not actually buying anything, just getting my wish list together for when I DO WANT TO PURCHASE some goodies.  I've found some great stuff.

My next book to read –>  The Traitors Wife

My plan for a safe tan –>  Tan Towels

My MUST HAVE to pair with white jeans –>  J. Crew Chambray Shirt  It's on sale!!!

Once again, a bench I'm convinced I need –> 

And lastly, I stumbled upon this blog and seriously had a laugh out loud experience.  Mainly, because I am so good at making little inconveniences a MONUMENTAL issue in my life and seeing a glimpse of how silly whiney complaints must seem to the NON-complainers…..I had to link it up!  You are welcome! 

So, I'm off.  No more wishy listy time!  I have a big day tomorrow full of substitute teacher training and well, you know how busy my life is when my family's all gone. 

I HAVE STUFF TO DO, Y'ALL!  REALLY!