The World According to Leslie

For the past week, I have been trying really hard to get writing jobs.  I have already (in two jobs) made over $100 writing!  I’m excited about it.  (Most of that work was completed in two weeks, but few hours!)   Today, I put in bids for several jobs.  I was the first bid on one job.  And… I got it.  The cool thing about it???  I get to write about what I want to.  Right now, the first four articles have to deal with technology.   What does any good teacher do?  Go straight for the classroom—iPads in the classroom and  online/distance education. Those are the first two.  The other two will be dealing with “tech tantrums” and the technology of hearing.  Those are things I know and I can do minimal research about.  I also found 3-4 other topics I am planning to use for my next set, if I get technology again.     I have to have two of them done today and the other two my Monday.  I should...

I know I said I would post Hilton Head pics today.  However, I am in a lot of pain.   On Thursday of last week, I woke up with a sore shoulder.  I thought I slept on it wrong, so I went about my business as usual.  We left Thursday night for vacation.  Over the weekend, it has gotten worse.  I kept hoping every night that I would sleep on it right and it would be wonderful the next day.  That is NOT how it worked.   Today, I was hoping to get in with my chiropractor.  But… he is booked and closes early on Wednesdays to go to church.    I am sitting here with my left arm over a pillow so that I don’t move it too much.  I can’t turn my head in either direction because of the pain.  If I cough, laugh, cry, or sneeze….  let’s just say they all end in tears.  Kind of like typing….  I have tears rolling down my face now trying to write this.   I am hoping it’s just a pulled muscle.  I’m h...

Yesterday was a day of traveling!  We got up early and left Hilton Head.    However….we did not head straight home.  Tony’s brother and sister’s  grandmother died.  (They are his step-siblings!)  We went through Laurens, SC to pay our respects to the family.  We didn’t get to see many people—most had to work until the funeral tomorrow.    But, we got to see their mom.  We haven’t seen her since the Princess was about 3-4 (maybe 5).  We really should make time to see the family more.    I had told my mom we were going through there, but I had not called my dad.  About 1/2 way there, I got a text from Dad asking if we were coming home.   That meant a lot.  It meant he missed us.    So I texted to let him know what was going on.   As soon as we got into town, I called my mom. We came home, unloaded, and went to their house.  Really?  You thought I’d do anything else fir...

I can’t believe that in the morning we are going to be leaving to head home.  The weekend is almost over!  That’s crazy!   Now I am going to need a vacation from my vacation!  LOL  Isn’t that how it always goes?

So we are in Hilton Head.  It’s beautiful.  Everything is “hidden” behind trees.   Points of issue: 1.  The “beach resort” is a 10-15 minute walk to the actual beach.  2. It’s hot!  (LOL  No one can control that.  But… you all know I prefer winter!) 3. Most everything we have wanted to do is across the bridge.  That means $1.25 each way for the toll.  4. It’s still hot!   I guess those are my only real complaints.   Darn!  I was hoping to find something to complain about!  (Just Kidding!!!)   Guess I’m just having a good vacation!

Last night, after returning movies we rented earlier in the week, going to see my parents one last time, and everything else that has to be done to get ready to leave, we left around 9pm.   I drove for the first hour.  We stopped at Wendy’s (in some SC town) to get something to eat.  When we parked long enough to check the food (they got it right!) we switched drivers.   Tony is having some issues with his eye (a post coming soon!).  So he could only drive for about an hour.    We ended up staying in Blythewood, SC for the night.  GPS says we have about 3 and 1/2 hours to Hilton Head.   So, we are up, eating, and getting ready to load up.

I have the worst time with cell phones.  Not the service.  The phone!   I love L O V E love Verizon. Rarely do I have a place that I don’t have service.  I can call all my family and most of my friends without using any minutes.  I never use all of the data I have.  In a few years, when it’s time to add the Princess (like 7th grade if she plays softball at school—9th or 10th if she doesn’t) my bill won’t go up!   Now…to my phone.  I had the Droid Merge.  There were only a few hundred of them made.  They were sent to Verizon distributors, but not the Verizon stores.  BTW…did you know that every Verizon store is not a Verizon store.  Some of them are through a different company and can get you better deals on plans and phones.   We have a couple like that here in town….that’s how I got the Merge.   The first one I had stopped working.  I couldn’t make calls because the screen wouldn’t stay on.  I c...

Ok…so I really don’t have much to say today.  I have been astounded as I watch the page views number rise daily.   As of right now, it is at 7101 for all time.  300 for the month of June.  O.M.G!!   That amazes me!    So…this is a random post to say THANK YOU to everyone who reads what I write.  Feel free to leave comments, start conversations with me.  (I won’t bite!)     THANK YOU SO MUCH!

So I know I still haven’t posted pics of the new van yet.  I promise… I will.  Actually, they will probably be posted with the stuff about Hilton Head because I always take pics of everything once it’s loaded!!     Anyways….when we got the van, the Kia place did a “We Owe” saying they would fix a huge scratch on the side.  We took it up.  They fixed it, but not good enough.  They didn’t sand it down.  They just painted over it.   We have been trying for two months to get the rain to cooperate with us.  Now…  I am going to take it up to the Kia place today.  They are going to paint it tomorrow.  Hopefully they will do it right.  If not….well…. it won’t be pretty…..for them !!!!   My mommy is going to follow me to the Kia place and bring me home.  I love living so close to my family.  (Shhh….just don’t tell them!!)  Some days it’s a pain, but other days…..well…. it’s a blessing!

So…I’m a day late on Father’s Day.  But….that’s because I was with my Father!     There is a running joke in our family.  I have an older brother and a younger sister.  We tell everyone that Donnie is the favorite.  DUH!  We all know that!  Then Lisa and I “fight” for favorite daughter.    Since I do a lot of stuff for my parents, more than my siblings, I tell them I know I’m the favorite.  I don’t do it because I want the attention.  I do it because I know they need the help.  I get a couple extra drinks at the store and take them over because I know my parents can’t carry them.  Mom’s knees are bad, and Dad is on a walker. (But…that’s a different story!)   So yesterday I posted on Facebook a Happy Father’s Day message to my dad and said it was from his “Favorite” daughter.  One of my friends accused me of trying to start a fight in the family.  I had to explain that it was all a big joke...

I guess I technically did not write on Friday.   I’m trying not to slip into the habit of not writing.  It keeps my mind clear even if I feel like I am writing the same things every day.   I just (like 20 minutes ago) finished the articles.  He decided to only have me write 15 instead of 20 since some of the titles were so close to the same.  That worked out well.    Pay was lowered, of course, but I can live with that.   In just a few short hours, we are going to watch the Princess play in the championship game.  I can’t believe it’s a week later than it was supposed to be.    Right now, I’m saying “good night” because I’m going to bed.  But… I should be saying “Good morning” because it is after midnight.    So….Good TIMES!!   I’m going to bed and will hopefully have something wonderful to write about tomorrow.

Tonight, we have awards for Girl Scouts.    Right now, I’m trying to write an article or two, but I’m having a hard time writing these.  I am wondering if I should just tell this guy that I am going to look for other things to write.  I can’t find information for the stuff….so I can’t write what he wants written.   Plus….I emailed him to ask questions about a couple of the articles, but I haven’t gotten a response.  Some of the articles are the same names—almost.    For example: Girl Scout Award Girl Scout Awards   See?  I don’t know how to write two articles about that!  They are the same thing…. I just need to know what he wants me to do.  The articles are due tomorrow.  I get so stressed out!!!  I’m sure he will answer… I just have to patient!    As for the awards, the girls are getting all their cookie prizes…. patches…..badges….and gifts tonight!  I have two girls who are br...

So I have more articles that I am writing.  At the moment, I am having a really hard time getting the information.  There  are 20 articles.  20 topics.  500 words each.    Really?  I can do 500 words.  That’s not the problem.  The problem I’m having is finding the research for the topics.  I don’t know much about these topics, so I guess that’s why I’m having such a hard time.    The only things I can find online are places that sell the items.  I need information ABOUT the items.    I had the same problem last time, but I shouldn’t have this issue with the topics I have now.    Anyways…. I will figure it out and get the articles written.  I wish I hadn’t had to work yesterday.  I wouldn’t feel so rushed right now.    They are due Friday!  I’ll get it done.  I always do, but I always stress over it first!

Wow!  I can’t believe I went two days without writing.  I have gotten in such a habit that now it just feels strange.   There isn’t much going on in these parts right now. 1. Saturday—Softball was cancelled, but they are rescheduling for THIS Saturday.  8:30am!  (Hooray for waking up early on Saturdays!)   2. Sunday—We officially told our pastor and his wife that we are leaving the church.  They tried really hard to get us to stay, but we aren’t leaving because of them.  It’s the other stuff (some other people) that are killing our church.  Unfortunately, it’s really the only church the Princess has ever known.  We started attending there in June 2003.  She was born in August 2003.  10 years!  A decade!!   3. Monday—I took my dad to get his hearing aid fixed.  Simple enough… the filter was clogged.  He had already cleaned it.  But…. still clogged.  New filter—no charge—now he can hear...

Today was supposed to be busy.   Softball at 9am. Graduation (for work) at 10:45am. Home to clean/work 12:30pm.   This morning, we got the email that all games were cancelled.  Left me with no softball.     Went to work graduation.  Finished. Came home.   Fell asleep on the couch for 2 (almost 3) hours.  I must have been tired.  I don’t remember anything other than falling asleep!!    Now, it’s almost 10pm.  We are finally going to eat supper. Then we are going to crash.   Tomorrow is SUNDAY FUNDAY.  We have church at the park.  Then I’m going to be telling the pastor that we are leaving the church.  It’s time.  I have a long story to go with that…. lots of them actually.  However, I am keeping those.  (Some things just don’t need to be said!)  So we are in the market for a new church…  I’m sure we will try out a couple old ones (i.e. where I grew up) for ...

Today is the last day of school.   It really is bittersweet.    This has been an awesome year.  It is amazing to work with the teachers at my school, the parents at my school, and the kids.  This year has been so much better than last year.  It’s amazing how different 365 days can be!  I’m in a totally different place.   That’s what makes it so bittersweet.    I am so looking forward to sleeping in and doing a little writing from home this summer.  I’m looking forward to spending time with Tony and the Princess (and my family) at the beach this summer.  I’m looking forward to finally finishing the unpacking of my house this summer.  (May even have a yard sale to rid myself of some of the junk!)   But… I’m going to miss the kids. I’m going to miss my colleagues.  I’m going to miss the schedule.  There are many things I will miss…..      So it’s bittersweet!   ...

So, I have plenty to say this morning.  However, I’m trying really hard to operate under my mom’s philosophy of “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all!”    Something happened at my church on Sunday.  When I am calmer, I will explain it.  I just found out yesterday who did it.  (I pretty much knew because this is the only person stupid enough to do it!)   Anyways, this person’s actions sent my Dad into a lot of stress.  So Sunday afternoon, he had a really bad episode with his heart.  He is still not up to 100% yet, and it’s Wednesday!    My parents have actually asked me to keep my mouth shut.  I’m trying.  But, something needs to be said/done.  I’m not a member of the church, so they can’t really run me off.  Tony and I have been thinking about leaving for a while now.   So, I’m going to be having my say.  Then…. I’m not going back.  I hate to leave my Dad hangi...

Today is one of those days where I really don’t have much to write about. At work, there won’t be many kids because there are only 3 days left.   Tomorrow I’m going to the Princess’s school for her awards.  Shhhhhh!  She doesn’t know!   Other than paying some bills and trying to find some writing jobs, I really don’t have much to do this afternoon.   I really just don’t have much at all to talk about.  Is that weird?  (For me….YES!)

Today, since we are giving new state tests (Common Exams/Measures of Student Learning) in NC, the English teachers at my school are all going to be in one room all day.  (That should be fun!)  We have to grade the tests.    YES!  You read that right!  The teachers are grading the state required tests!    Each test had multiple choice and a written part.  The MC is being sent off to be graded—that’s easy!  Each of the written responses is going to be read by at least TWO teachers today.  Then we will give them a grade.    Does anyone else see an issue here?  I grade differently that other teachers at MY school.  I know that teachers at other schools grade differently than we grade at our school.  So the test results (other than the MC) will be biased/skewed at each school…. or so I fear.    I guess we will see.  I hope that this works the way the state has planned, but we will s...

I know you guys are probably getting tired of hearing about my countdown.    I’m just so excited that the Princess is almost finished with this year at school.    So….today is THE LAST MONDAY for her (and me).  After Friday of this week, she can hang out, watch TV, play/read on her Kindle Fire, and relax……until August.   Of course, she LOVES to read, so we will see how many books she reads this summer.   I’m still trying to get some writing jobs for the summer. Just to make a little extra cash.  There are some that are for doing book reviews.  I would love to do those.     But….for now, I’m going to enjoy my last Monday.  Even though it’s pouring rain outside.

Daycare graduation went well today.   This Saturday I have to work graduation for work.  Since I teach at a high school, I have to be there for graduation.  Not so bad when it’s IN town and not 90 minutes away!!  Still keep part of my Saturday for ME!   The Princess will have her Championship softball game on Saturday.  Depending on the time, I will have to miss some or all of it. Hopefully…. only SOME!     Tonight, though, I’m heading to bed.  Only 5 days with the kids left!   6 days total for me….. I have ONE teacher workday the following week.