thanks a lot, dad.

i went to the potluck out at dave & katey's house. what a great couple! i am so incredibly thankful for their friendship and support. dave is the man i student taught under at the middle school, and i took over katey's classroom this year as she moved to the position of district literacy coach. i made a reuben dip that was a hit. they live in the middle of nowhere in a little rental house. it was a beautiful afternoon spent out on the prairie with stories and laughter--a great end to a perfect weekend.

i miss my grandma jeannette every single day. some days more than others. for example, last night after i returned home with my dirty crockpot, i decided i'd clean it out and put a pork roast dinner together for my tuesday night meal. as i chopped up two potatoes, grabbed some fresh green beans and baby carrots, and took the roast out of the fridge i realized something: i don't really know what i'm doing. still, 19 months later, i picked up my phone to dial her for help. what a girl won't do for some non-judgmental help in the kitchen. not wanting to bother anyone else with my silliness, i threw it all in and set it at "low heat". tonight, around 5:40pm the pork and green beans were good, but my potatoes were still crunchy and the carrots were not cooked enough either. better luck tomorrow... i mean, things in crockpots only get better with time, right? if anyone would like to contact me to help me out with boiling eggs i'd appreciate it. everything i've read online is different.... man oh man, i miss you gramma j.

so after the trauma of the spider, i figured i would catch a break for a couple of days... not the case. after school i had a meeting with the other two 1st grade teachers, after they departed from my room i stayed until 5:20 or so. i got home and decided i would run up the the post office to see if, by chance, i had any mail. when i got to the post office, i discovered that the lobby closes at 5pm... i mean really, why wouldn't it?! ugh. so i drove home. when i got home i noticed three men in reflective vests tearing my yard apart-- why hadn't they done that last week before i cut my grass?!?! well, anyway, i went and talked with them before unlocking my garage door and parking. when i went to lift the garage door, i had it halfway up so that it stopped right in front of my face. when i moved to readjust my grip, to complete the lifting process i saw a baby snake slither into the lip of the base of my garage door!!! oh my goodness, i thought i was going to faint. so, of course before taking any further action i call my dad. he proceeded to laugh, tell me that i was, "a big girl. 25 years old. call me when the problem is solved." needless to say, i haven't called him back. oh, and just for the record--i am NOT 25 years old.

day 5 was long. and that's all i have to say about that. i hope all is well with everyone :)