Anyways I never finished that poast from before... so to make a long story short... we couldn't make it up any of the roads to our house. We had to load up laundry baskets and walk to our house from the resteraunt that we parked at. Finally a few days later we made it to Portland to get his grandma. We hung out at his cousins and then we made it back to Seattle. We went to to Sam's brother's concert.... then we went home and then it started to pour down snow once again. School was 2 hours late on Monday. Then it was fine. Then all the snow melted it flooded all over the place. Our town became an island and we got trapped for 3 days.

Now time for new news....last week I interviewed for and got a job taking over a teacher's class that is having a baby. It is a 2nd grade class and it is for a minimum of 2 months. Last night Sam and I went and saw The Lion King and we went to Ruth Chris's for dinner. The food there is insanely priced but it was delicious. I had not eaten a steak for about half a year so it tasted delicious. The show was really good-- but not as good as it was when we saw it in New York. Part of the issue was that last time we had much, much better seats. Next week-- Monday and Tuesday is mid winter break. Wednesday I have a new employee orientation for my new job. Valentine's Day is tomorrow- we are not really doing anything since we had a fancy date night last night. It is freezing here I wish I was somewhere warm. I am currently reading the 3rd book in the twilight series and it is good so far.

BREAK

Dec.16-18th we did not have any school because of snow. Sam couldn't make it to work on the 17th or the 18th because by then we had over a foot of snow. On Saturday we decided to make a break for it because we knew that more snow was predicted to come and we wanted to ensure that we would be with family for Christmas. On Saturday it took us about 2 hours to get ready to leave. We filled laundry baskets full of clothes and everything we would need for 10 days... not knowing when we would be might be able to make it back to our house. We loaded up the car and put on all of our snow clothes- in case we got stuck and had to dig ourselves out. It took us 20 minutes or more to get out of the driveway. By now it was about 2:30. Once we were out of the driveway we noticed that the Antilock break light was on and we soon realized (by sliding down a hill) that the antilock breaks were frozen. Sam pumped the breaks and we stopped just barely missing a car in an intersection. After pumping a little more the breaks became unfrozen and they started working properly. We drove about 10 miles an hour sliding all over the road for the first 5 or so miles. Then we got to a big hill - which luckily is a busier more used road and there were tracks to drive in. We then headed on our way to les shwaab so we could get some chains. We took one of the main highways thinking it wouldn't be too bad. It was one giant sheet of ice and there were cars sliding all around us and also lots of cars waited until the very last second to get over into the exit lane-- so we had a number of close call crashes because of that. Once we get on the road that Les Shwabb is on- our windshield wipers decide to stop working (there were moving but not getting the snow and ice off the windshield)-- finally we make it into the parking lot and look at our watch and it is 4:57 and they close at 5:00. We run into the store and luckily they are still willing to sell us our chains and some heavy duty windsheild wipers. (I had called 4 other stores and this was the only one that had chains to fit my car)-- mind you we should have been in Sam's car for all of this because he has all wheel drive-- but his car only has 2 seats and would not hold all of our stuff or his grandma who we were suppose to pick up in Portland on the 26th. (This trip to the store took a total of 2.5 hours and it usually takes 25 minutes) .... Now we head for my parents house... this part of the drive was mostly uneventful-- except right when we were getting off the freeway the car in front of us slid into the ditch. We got off the freeway and drove down the highway to my parents house and down there road-- this was very icey and we slid a lot but we survived. We parked in the roots of a tree on my parents property and couldn't move the car from there so we just called it good. My cousin, sister, and brother were also over (trapped actually) and we played a lot of rock band and ate a lot of good food that my mom cooked for us. They had about 24 inches and it just kept pouring down snow. On Sunday my cousin went home--well actually we dug him out and then the neighbors huge tree fell and they came out and cut it up into pieces with a chain saw-- and then he left. Then Sam and my brother and I built a ten foot snowman. After we built it we took turns climbing up it. Then we decided to knock the head off and stand on top of the 2nd ball (about 7 feet up) Then we jumped off the ball into the huge drifts of snow. Then the rest of the week up until christmas eve was pretty much a blur of the boys playing tons of video games, my mom and sister and I beading, eating a lot of delicious food, and phase 10 with my sister. Also on Tuesday we wrapped and delivered presents to families in need through my friends church . While delivering the last family I took a big tumble in a extreamly icy parking lot--Then Christmas eve came and the snow had given up a little and dad's side of the family came and we did a gift exchange. Then it was Christmas and we were all unsure if we would make it out of my parents driveway. My dad tried and got stuck. Then we put on chains and made a path that he followed and that worked out fine. Once on the highway we pulled over to take off the chains and noticed we only had one chain on.. we must have lost it somewhere in the 2 blocks we drove. We got to my grandparents safely-- it was very hard to park because her whole road was one sheet of ice so we just parked on the side of the road. Christmas went well and we made a break for it while the snow had stopped to go over to Sam's parents house nearby. We made it safely but it took forever! We spent the night there and then went to the mall with his parents the next day. By then the snow had turned to rain and the roads were not as bad. We decided to head hom because Sam'sgrandma's flight had been cancelled-- so we couldn't go get her.... to be continued

It is Freezing!!

It has been so cold lately. It started snowing Saturday night and then by Sunday we had 5+ inches and then it started to melt and now we still have about 2 inches. We are suppose to get more tonight and then 4 or more tomorrow during the day. Yesterday I didn't take a job because I couldn't find one in my home district and there is like no snow in the other district that I sub in so it is not a good indicator if I should drive or not! Plus in the other district that I sub in even if it late arrival teachers have to come on time- which is bogus because if one kid is missing then school goes on but if the teacher is missing then there is a problem. I would think the number one priority would be for the teacher to be safe but I guess not! This morning I had a job in my home district and I have not subbed there often so I was not sure about their policy. At about 7 the secretary called and said school is two hours late so you don't need to come until 9:45 (which is 2 hours later than normal)-- It was great I went back to sleep! It is suppose to snow a lot the next few days and it seems like we may not have school for the rest of the week!! That would be cool to start winter break early.. but on the other hand it is nice to make money. Right now it is about 23 degrees and it was 19 degrees at 10:00 this morning. My kids today (7th grade) were very hyper and they just want to be done. I just have a few people to buy presents for still and I have a few presents that I will be making. We put up our tree a few days ago-- it keeps falling half way over though so it is crooked. Afte school I am dropping some diapers and formula off at the food band because they really need it.

Catch-up

It has been a few months since I've posted -- so I decided it was about time. At the end of Septmeber Sam and I bought a house. We've been busy fixing it up to our style. Last weekend we installed stainless steel hardware on all of the cabinets so that it matches all of the appliances. I think that this really was a nice upgrade and it helps tie everything together. We also got some barstools to fit up to the counter in the kitchen and they look really nice as well. Our next projects include: painting the entire downstairs, painting and assembling the "video game" room (the new couch for downstairs has been purchased we are just waiting for it to be shipped), getting patio furniture for our 2 decks, and painting and setting up tool benches in the garage. We have already had two issues with the brand new appliances that came with the house. The first problem is minor- the ice machine stopped working on the fridge- The 2nd is major: The garage door opens whenever it feels like it- this poses as a problem because the door from the garage to the house does not lock. Luckily the town that we live in has been dubbed the safest city in the entire county. I read the "Sirens" section in the newspaper: Here are some real examples of what is printed in the section- #1 Man threw pop can and missed neighbor called police - police told man to pick it up and put it in the trash can. #2 Neighbors heard loud screaming from neighbor's house and called 911- police checked on the situation and neighbor's 5 year old daughter was throwing a temper tantrum. #3 Police were called when a neighbor reported seeing smoke coming from their neighbor's house. Police checked out the situation and found the neighbor standing over a bag of burnt popcorn. There are also a lot about police going to people's houses and letting them know that the door to their garage is not shut. Luckily nothing about me has been printed yet- also luckily our garage makes a loud noise so if we are home I can usually quickly go shut the door if I hear it opening itself up.

Thanksgiving Break: We went to my grandma's for dinner it was great as usual. We have the same exact food every single year- i don't think anything has been added to the menu in atleast 10 years if not more. Day after Thanksgiving. My grandma was not feeling well so she did not go with us. My mom, brother, and sister, and I braved Fred Meyers at 5:00am- When we got there- there was a big crowd of people waiting outside because they opened a few minutes late. It was freezing out so we waited in the car until the doors open. (side note: Sam told me yesterday he heard someone died from being trambled at Walmart on the day after Thanksgiving... I cannot imagine any worse place to die than Walmart!) We hit up the sales at Fred Meyers then went to Joanne Fabric: where waited in the cutting line for like 40 minutes. Next stop was Target, then Best Buy, Ross-- then on to the mall where we hit up a ton of stores. The mall was not very busy at all when we got there but when we left at noon it was really packed. I got most of my shopping done and stayed within budget- so that was a plus. We only have 4 or so more people to shop for. Also every year my best friend's mom is incharge of adopting families to sponsor for christmas through there church. I love to shop for the little kids-- since I have no little kids of my own and only one quite spoiled nephew. (We bought him a little mini pool table because when we came to our house he was really into our pool talble (which doubles as our dining room table: we just stick a table top on top of it) We also always buy a toy or 2 to give to Toys for Tots and a person at Sam's work had there house burn down last year and were in need of christmas decorations- so I went through ours a gave her a few. I bought a lot of lights to put up and my mom gave Sam his christmas present early (a ladder)- so we can put them up this weekend. We are going to hang white icesicle lights and blue lights down our path. If I get a chance I will put up pictures later...

September

So, since I did not even post one post in Septemeber I will now take the time to sum up September as a whole. August and September were very busy with house hunting. We found a lot of real "shit holes" in our price range but could not find anything nice. Finally at the beginning of the month we found a nice duplex in Duvall. We went through all the hoops and finally signed papers last Thursday. We moved in last weekend and now we are currently residents of Duvall. Duvall is a small town but it is nice and quiet. We can walk to a nice new park with a cute playground and fishing. We can also walk to a grocery store, bakery, and lots of other things faster than you can drive there. I have been subbing every day. I have been subbing middle school a lot. I really liked it the first few weeks of school but now the kids are starting to get attitudes. Tomorrow I will be starting a job. It is an added position that they are looking for a teacher for and I am the temporary replacement for the next 2 weeks. It is .4 - so 14 hours a week but actually I am working 21 hours a week because I am subbing for the main teacher 1 day each week as well. The main teacher is a friend of mine from college. I don't think I would want the actual job because it is .4 so that would stop me from getting any long term positions... but ya never know. This coming weekend is my brother's birthday (his 19th) and my husband and my brother and maybe me--- I have not decided yet are going to a Lego Convention.

news

So, I have been busy these past few weeks... let me fill you in to what I have been up to. Starting the week after the 4th of July I started working at a daycare. My main job is to take school age students on field trips...( this means I often get paid to sun bathe... I also get paid to eat a lot as well as ride in a car.) I also often work in the toddler room. (this is not my favorite thing to do considering I am not a big fan of changing diapers) This job keeps me busy I work at it 5 days a week as well as I tutor 2-3 days a week. Last week I took a vacation. Sam and I flew to Spokane. Sam's mom picked us up at the airport and let us use her car so we could travel around. My parents were at my cousin's cabin in Courdelain, Idaho.. so we went and stayed with them a few nights as well. This was a lot of fun..the weather was nice I got to wakeboard a lot and we also went to Silverwood-- their newest roller coaster is a lot of fun. We flew home on Friday and on Saturday I drove to Arlington to hang out with my sister. On Sunday their was a concert in Arlington that I went to with a bunch of my friends. The concert was Darryl Worley, Jessica Andrews, and Kellie Pickler. It was a lot of fun and we got to stand right near the stage for Kellie Pickler. I was suprised that big names of country like them would want to come to tiny Arlington but they seemed to enjoy themselves- it is really pretty where they were playing by the river. So itwas 7:00 when the concert got over and we even left before the last song-- then we had to wait over an hour in the parking lot before could make our way out to the street. (The drive to the venue only took me about 3-4 minutes) The wait in the darn parking lot was insane. Then I thought about going back to Redmond that night at about 11pm- I decided against it so that I could watch the olympics- this was a smart choice I later realized. I woke up the next morning and got ready for work I was suppose to be in Sammamish at 11:00 for tutoring. I was driving down the freeway - I was about 10 miles from my parents house and then my car started overheating. I called my dad and we tried to put in antifreeze but it wouldn't stay in the car- so we ended up towing it to a shop to get it fixed. I was scared the bill was going to be huge but luckily it was much lower than I had expected. My sister let me borrow her car- I didn't make it to tutoring but I made it to the daycare on time. Then yesterday I was at the beach with the kids and I got a phone call from an elementary school offering me an interview for a kinergarten position. Luckily my dad is taking a class in the same town as my interview so we are trading cars so I can have mine back! I am nervous about the interview but I feel prepared since I taught kindergarten as a long term sub last year. Once I know the results I will post a blog.

Trapped

So, I wake up on Friday morning at 7:10am because I have to be at work by 8:00am. I take a shower and then I accidently cut myself on the leg. I walk to my bedroom door to go and get a bandaid that is in the other bathroom. I turn the handle to the door but nothing happens. I then get dressed (I decide this is a good thing to do in case someone has baricaded my door and is hiding to try to kill me or something on the other side) I then try with all my might to get the door open but it is just not happening. The metal part that moves in and out in the door is stuck (later to find out it was installed incorrectly). So I get a screw driver from Sam's tool box that he keeps in our bedroom and I take the door knob off. The whole taking the door knob off thing does not help me get out of the room but it does let me see through a tony whole that indeed I am the only person in our apartment. Then I decide to call Sam to come save me. Problem is he is about 30 minutes away playing basketball. Finally he comes home and ends up having to break the door down because their was no other way to get the door open. I ended up being 20 minutes late to work but I did have a good story to tell as to why I was late.