Ready For My Bundle

4th Annual Christmas Scavenger Hunt.....

2011-01-18T23:19:00.004-05:00

I should start off by saying that every year since I have moved to Columbia, SC - after finishing my Master's of Architecture degree - (so the last five years), I spend Christmas Eve at my sister B's house. For the past four years, we have held an Annual Christmas Scavenger Hunt, which my brother-in-law K hates because he has to run around after the girls (C and M) and try to get it all on video.

The first year the "prizes" were a Wii for M and an upright keyboard for C. The second year was a combined gift of Dance, Dance Revolution for the Wii. The third year it was a set of Tempur-pedic pillows (one for each girl).

Each year K tries to get out of the scavenger hunt, but each year the girls beg, whine, and plead for there to be one. The begging begins earlier and earlier every year. Just like Christmas. Huh.

Because I am the person who writes the clues, I sort of ignore K and collaborate with my sister B on the hunt. B usually just reads over the clues to make sure it isn't something that was done a previous year and decides what item shall be the "prize".

The girls have gotten older than the 10-year-old C and the 6-year-old M from the first year. Duh!!! So the clues have gotten harder. I have to tell you, it can be really hard the fourth year in to come up with new hiding places and ways to make the clues rhyme. An yes the clues HAVE TO rhyme!!!!

So... for the Fourth Annual Scavenger Hunt:

The girls are aware of the rules, but for y'all.... There are only a few simple rules.

Take turns reading the clues out loud, preferably to the camera
Don't just run off without discussing the next possible clue location with your sister
Don't run off leaving your daddy (AKA camera man)
Wait for your sister to get to the possible clue location before searching
Make sure you go to the SAME next possible clue location (for the ease of daddy's poor non-coffee having, too early on Christmas nerves)
Once you get to the "Prize" location, do NOT yell out what your sister' prize is, and she won't do it to you

Clue One: Is always given to the girls in a card. This year we waited until the last possible moment to give the girls the card. Their faces were all dejected and sad thinking that the annual hunt was not going to happen. Ha!!! We got them!!!

Hey Girls!!!

It's that time of year, and I know what you want!!!
It's the 4th Annual Scavenger Hunt!!!

At this point M looks up and says "Really? Rhyming?!? To which my response was "Yes!!! Rhyming!!!" Back to the first clue:

Are you up to the challenge? Do you think you're smart?
I think it best if we just start!!!

Every year it's been the same,
But this year I think we should change the game!!!

Do you disagree?
OK!!! Fine!!! It's in the tree!!!

This is where I made a little bit of a mistake. In the past three scavenger hunts the second clue has always been hidden in the Christmas tree. Well, this year C had made a comment about how the first clue was going to be easy because it would be in the tree. Well, at Christmas Eve with my parents, C got a Christmas tree hat that sings and dances. My intention this year was to put the second clue in the Christmas tree hat, which I did. However, in my clue I meant to put "It's in A tree" instead of THE tree.

So, the girls are searching high and low in the Christmas tree. Then my brother-in-law gets a little impatient and has them re-read the first clue. He then (knowing where all of the clues are hidden) calls out "Chelle you didn't put the tree, did you?" Which totally gave away the answer to the clue. Way to go K. Jeez. Within seconds C finds the clue in the singing, dancing Christmas tree hat.

Clue 2:

OK, that was easy!!!
A little too breezy!!!

The rest won't be so kind,
They'll be a lot more difficult to find!!!

So... Where to next?
It's not that complex!!!

If you use your head,
You'll find it near a bed!!!

At this point the girls tear off up the stairs. By the time K gets to the bottom of the staircase, they are jumping up and down at the top of the stairs yelling "Hurry up, Daddy!!!".

They first head into M's room (where I had slept the night before). They look under the bed, in the bed, around the bed. No next clue. Then they head to their parent's bedroom. Thinking the clue had to be there. No next clue. They then tear off to C's bedroom (where they had both slept the night before), and did the same drill. No next clue.

So, there they are standing at the top of the stairs with these dumbfounded expressions telling each other that they had to have missed it in the bedrooms. They go through the search again. No next clue.

I finally ask if they need a hint. They agree. Thinking of something on the fly, I say:

Though the clue said it was near a bed,
It's not one that you would lie your head.

They immediately think of C's dog Rose's bed. They run into their parent's bathroom, grab Rose's bed, and toss it out of the room. As the bed goes flying, the next clue flutters to the ground.

Clue Three:

I told you they would get tougher,
But they are about to get rougher!!!

If you work together, you may come close!
The next clue is hidden where you would take a dose!!!

This is where M says "doze". C corrects her and they tear off back down the stairs to the medicine cabinet in the kitchen. Before I can get down the stairs, they are reading the next clue to the camera.

Clue Four:

Alright!!! You're almost there,
Hang on to your underwear!!!

The next clue will take some care,
Look near something that is used for hair!!!

Once again the girls tear up the stairs, K moves a little faster this time, and they go into their bathroom. By the time I get up there, they have lifted things off the counter, looked in the cabinets, not seen a clue, and torn off towards their parent's bathroom. No clue there either. While they look in C's room because she has a few things in there related to hair, I try to think up a hint will help, but that won't give away the location.

Not being able to come up with a hint, I make them re-read the clue. It's C's turn to read the clue, so she re-reads the second half of the clue. However, the first half is the important part. The second part tells you the room, but the first part tells you where in the room. After telling her to re-read it for the fourth time (each time she has only read the second part more and more adamantly and slow - like I am stupid and don't understand English), I'm all "the whole clue C!!!". She finally reads it all again, thinks about it for a moment, and dives for the hamper in the girl's bathroom.

C and M dig through the clothes, think they have missed the clue, and dig through some more. They think that the clue has to be in the hamper since the bed clue was in the bed. Finally C gets frustrated, picks up the hamper, and dumps it onto the floor. As she does this, M gets a glimpse of the clue on the floor below the hamper, but isn't quick enough to snatch it before it is covered with dirty clothes. They dig through the clothes some more. And SUCCESS!!!! The next clue is found.

Final Clue / Clue Five:

Way to go!!! Just one more!!!
It's in a room that has no door!!!

Need another clue?
Too many rooms to choose?

Oh, quit your whining,
It's in a room where you can do some dining!!!

Go forth if you dare,
Your prize is waiting under a chair!!!

They tear off down the stairs screaming "DINING ROOM". K follows yelling for them to wait for him before they go in. K gets into position, the girls run into room, fall onto the floor, and find their prize.

This year the prize was apparently not that great because I can't remember what the prizes were. Maybe it is just the late hour. I will post it as soon as I remember. I know, what a tease. But hey, my part was the clues....

UPDATE: I had to ask my sister, but I finally know what the prizes were.... Hidden under the chairs in the dining room were boots. Sounds pretty boring to me, but the girls really wanted them. Plus the fun part is the hunt. The prize at the end just makes it a little more exciting....

MIA....

2011-01-14T12:49:00.009-05:00

I know I've been MIA lately, but things are going to be settling down in the next few days/weeks. At least I hope they will.

Some good news on the job front.... I got more teaching classes at the local college (the one that I have taught at for the last three years). I now have 4 teaching classes. Yay!!! Unfortunately, I had a fifth one lined up (which would have allowed me to get by with only working 25 hours a week), but it was canceled due to low enrollment. Now I have to look for a small part-time job to take up the slack. Ugh...

I was hoping that substituting would work out, but I was never contacted by any of the school districts. And I also never heard back about that Teaching Assistant position. The position that Mr. B. promised I would hear back about regardless. Oh, well.

I will try to update some over the weekend. There has been a lot going on, and I want to cover most of it. Especially the funny parts.

As a teaser... There will be some funny videos of me and my nieces and nephews playing in the snow on my parents farm in Kentucky. We are Southern born and bred. We don't see snow very often, and it shows....

PC after falling off the snow boogie board.

Bad Luck Runs Amuck....

2010-12-13T00:36:00.005-05:00

Things happen in threes and sevens. Deaths. Births. And just plain bad luck.

Well, I just had my seventh bad thing happen. Hopefully the universe will leave me alone for a while.

Bad thing #1: Laid off. Lose insurance. Lose majority of income. Any thoughts of having a kid are put on hold indefinitely.

Bad thing #2: Bell's Palsy. The right side of my face is paralyzed. No insurance because of loss of job. 6 weeks later...still not fully recovered. Marginal movement on right side has been achieved.

Bad thing #3: Heater broken. Found out last week (while it was in the teens at night and in the 30s in the house) that I will have to replace my furnace. The home warranty company found some loop hole and are not going to cover it. They let us go without heat for over a month before telling us that!!! Now we have to spend a few grand (that we don't have) on a new furnace. It got so cold in the house that the toilet bowl water froze!!! That is too cold!!! (This is why I have not posted in so long. My computer is in the kitchen; however, we have a heater in the living room. Kitchen is too cold!!!)

Bad thing #4: Pipe bursts. With the cold weather a pipe burst. We had to go without hot water (it would have to be a hot water pipe that burst!!!) for a few days until it was repaired.

Bad thing #5: Kerosene spills in my back seat. Because we don't have a working heater, my sister loaned us a kerosene heater It wouldn't fit in my trunk, so my brother-in-law put it in my back seat. He positioned it in such a way that it would not tip over. Unfortunately, there was kerosene in the heater, from where he was checking to see if it worked, and it sloshes all over the back seat. I had to get oil clean up (looks like cat litter) and some odor eliminator. The smell is awful!!!

Possible bad thing #6: D's car overheats on the way home from dinner. We are stranded on the side of the road until my brother-in-law gets there. We still have to get the car towed. Apparently a bunch of hoses were loose. Luckily, the radiator was recently replaced and under warranty. I think the radiator wasn't installed properly to begin with.

Bad thing #6 or 7: Tub has a hole in it the size of a quarter at the drain. We will need to either patch it or replace the tub. We have decided to patch it. Apparently Bondo (auto body filler) is a good patch material. We filled the patch pretty well. It isn't pretty, but it should hold for a while. Hopefully until we can afford to replace the tub.

Tub Drain: The black spot is the hole
Tub Drain: Metal mesh to help the Bondo adhere
Tub Drain: Dried Bondo. Not pretty, but it works...I hope

Possible bad thing #7 or 8: Washing machine has an error code. D did a load of laundry today since we temporarily have hot water again (the only pipe leading to the washing machine is the one that burst the other day. The technician got us up and running - as far as hot water goes - for the weekend; however, he has to come do a permanent fix on Monday.) We got an F20 code. When I looked that up online, it is either too much water or not enough water getting to the unit. Hopefully, the error will go away after the burst pipe is completely fixed.

Dear Universe,

Please pick on someone else for a change. I have had all I can handle the last few months.

Sincerely....

Thanksgiving Song....

2010-12-05T12:41:00.006-05:00

I should preface this post by stating that I am an awesome singer. No seriously, narcissistic delusions aside, I have the voice of an angel. Dogs howl in chorus with my every musical note. Our voices rise in harmony to assault the eardrums of every innocent passerby.

Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, D and I were in the kitchen making a sweet potato casserole. D made an offhand comment about how there should be more Thanksgiving songs since Christmas music in our house is strictly verboten until after Thanksgiving. All violators will be shot (with the stanky eye):
So, with my melodic genius I created the most awesome Thanksgiving song:

Happyyyyy Thanksgiviiiiiing,
Deeeeeeeep Fried Turkeyyyyyyy

(See, already melodic genius.)

If brother thinks he's gettin' any o' my meat,
I will kick him with my feet.

(Must raise feet into air. If both feet aren't available, one shall suffice.)

Happyyyyy Thanksgiviiiiiing,
Deeeeeeeep Fried Turkeyyyyyyy.

(Redundant it's not.)

If brother thinks he's gettin' any o' my meat,
Somethin', somethin', somethin' he'll be beat.

(This time make a fist and raise it into the air in defense of yo' meat.)

Happyyyyy Thanksgiviiiiiing,
Deeeeeeeep Fried Turkeyyyyyyy

That's as far as I got before we burst into tears from my beautiful singing...I mean laughter.

So, the next time you want to sing a Thanksgiving song, here's one ready to go for ya. Though you had better act fast, with musical genius like this, I don't expect it to be around for too much longer before I get my record deal....

Weekend Renovations....

2010-12-03T14:24:00.013-05:00

D and I decided to do a little home improvement last weekend (which we will complete this weekend). We wanted to take advantage of the Thanksgiving long weekend by getting a little bathroom renovation completed.

This is what we were trying to fix:
Yep, that is the bathroom ceiling starting to fall. Before we moved in, we noticed that the ceiling in the bathroom didn't look that great. So, we mudded up the ceiling so that we could pass the home inspection. We knew that we wanted to completely gut the bathroom eventually. We just needed to get into the house.

Well, over the last few months, the bathroom ceiling has started to fall down. We knew that the renovation might take a while once we started, and that we wouldn't be able to use that bathroom until it was completed (or completed enough). So, we decided that Thanksgiving weekend would be the perfect time.

On Friday we headed out to the home improvement store and purchased all the materials that we would need. Or at least we thought we did. The funniest part of this trip was getting a 4 feet by 8 feet piece of drywall into D's Camry. We knew that we only needed about 2 feet by 4 feet, so we started to cut the drywall into smaller pieces.

10 minutes later, with still no cut pieces of drywall (drywall is tough to cut!!!), two employees of the store came out and offered to cut it down for us. I know they had to be in the store laughing at two white girls trying to put a huge piece of drywall into a small car, but at least they came to help. Eventually we got everything in car. We had to abandon part of the drywall to the employees because there wasn't any more room. Plus we didn't need it.

Saturday, we started the renovation.

First, we had to prepare ourselves to be working in such gross conditions.

Me: Ready to go.
Yes, that is a trash bag on my head.
The goggles were to help with falling debris, especially since I still can't blink my right eye because of my Bell's Palsy.

D: Ready to go

Second, we had to cut away all of the bad drywall to see what we were working with. The worst thing about this was the insulation from the attic falling down on my head. It was a very messy process.
Once we had the drywall cut away, we had a rude awakening. Apparently the ceiling was bad in the first place due to a long ago roof leak at that point. The boards (that were used as roof sheathing) surrounding the rafter directly above the falling ceiling was rotten. The rafter above the ceiling was also rotten.
Now, normally this wouldn't tick me off. We have known that the ceiling was bad for quite a while (since before we moved in), but a little over a year ago, we had the roof replaced. The rotten boards and the rotten rafter means that the person we (okay I) hired, cut corners. On the other side of the rafter, there is a hole that the roofer flashed over to hide. Tsk, tsk, tsk. You can see it in the above picture, it is the little bit of gray.
Well, once we saw the rotten rafter, we investigated the surrounding rafters. Thankfully they were in good condition. Unfortunately we had to make the hole larger so that we would have good rafter to screw the new drywall into.
Finally, we get the new drywall cut to the correct size and screwed into place. There was a lot of swearing involved (mostly by me). It was very tough. It would fit one minute, then the next the hole magically shrank, causing me to need to cut more of the ceiling off. Then it would fit better in one spot, but wouldn't fit in another spot that it had previously fit. FRUSTRATING!!!!

After the drywall was up, we had to tape and mud. Well, we didn't even think about the fact that we would need fast drying mud when we were at the home improvement store. We thought about fast drying caulk for the tub, but not the ceiling. Ugh. Stupid. So, of course we had to go back to the store.
Almost an hour later, we get back home with the correct mud. The stuff we got shows up pink when you put it on, but it changes to white when it is dry and ready to be sanded. The only problem is that it needs to be 65+ degrees for it to dry. Well, as I have mentioned before, our heater is broken. We are lucky if it gets over 60 degrees in the house. So, we had to take the little space heater from the living room and put it into the bathroom. It made the cold bathroom warm, but the warm living room became really cold.
Well, it all eventually dried. So, the space heater is back in its proper place.

This weekend we are hopefully going to finish last weekends renovation, but who knows....

Faceboy....

2010-11-24T00:46:00.009-05:00

It just hit me that Alek's (aka Faceboy, aka Love bug, aka Face) birthday is in 11 days.

I can remember when he was just a tiny fluff ball, who ran around in the backyard with his bubba (Xander - may he rest in peace) and sometimes was run over by Xander because he just couldn't run fast enough. Then when he got older he learned to be super fast, and he ran circles around Xander.

Shortly after I got Alek, D found a couple of cartoons in the newspaper that just fit Alek to a "T".

The first cartoon was about a dog who was super-hyper and wanted his human to play with him. This cartoon fit Alek and me perfectly. I love to read, and Alek is constantly trying to get me to play with him.

I should also note that when D found the first cartoon Alek was a very small fluff ball. However, today Alek looks almost exactly like the dog in the cartoon.

The second cartoon was about a lap dog, which Alek totally is, thinking that his human shouldn't be moving. Alek does that as well. If I move when he is in my lap, he either sighs or he looks at me like "how dare you, I was comfortable".

Since D found these cartoons, they have had a place of honor on our fridge....

Mac-n-Cheese Recipe....

2010-11-23T12:34:00.006-05:00

After visiting Mel's blog (more specifically this post), I have decided to post my famous (to my family at least) Macaroni-and-Cheese Casserole recipe.

It is a fairly (completely) simple recipe.

There is some background to the recipe, which I will also share:

One day I was standing in my parent's kitchen (I believe I was 14 at the time) with two of my grandmothers (Mema and Grandma Fulmer). We were getting ready to cook dinner, and I asked them if they could show me how to cook macaroni-and-cheese casserole.

At the time I did not realize that they both had different recipes. Apparently they had been arguing (the way old ladies do) about whose was better for years.

As we began making the casserole, one of my grandmothers would tell me to do one thing, then when she turned around, the other would tell me to do something else. For example, Mema told me the recipe needed one egg, when she turned away Grandma told me it needed two. Grandma then turned around to do something else. Mema turned back and saw that I was trying to put in a second egg, and started grumbling that the thing only needed one. To make Mema happy since she was looking at me, I didn't put the second egg in. Both were trying to make me create their recipe, but since I got each of their recipes in little bits, the end result was a mixture of the two.

This mixture has been coveted by many in my family, but even when I tell them exactly what to do, they can never recreate it as well as mine. Maybe it is just one of those things that was gifted to me. Who knows?

Michelle Deer's Macaroni-and-Cheese Casserole:

I tend to make a large casserole in a 9x13 pan. You can change the size up or down, but there are certain ingredients that always remain the same regardless of the size of the casserole. These ingredients will have an *.

Ingredients:
1 egg*
Milk
1 box Macaroni noodles (1 lb.)
Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese (1.5 lbs.)
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (1.5 lbs.)
Butter (2 Tbsp.)
Salt
Pepper

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook macaroni noodles (use a large pot), season to taste and strain. Return noodles to pot (that they were cooked in) and add one beaten egg and butter. Stir noodles until they are slimy and look wet. Season noodles to taste (salt activates the taste of the cheese). Add 1 pound of mild cheddar cheese and 1 pound of mozzarella cheese to the noddles. Left over cheese will be used for the crust. Stir noodle and cheese mixture until the cheese is well blended and noodles are stringy from melted cheese.

Pour noodles into a greased pan (for easier clean-up). Spread the noodles out so that you have an even, flat top. Pour milk into the pan until it almost covers the noodles. Spread the remaining cheese on top of the milk and noodles. You should have a nice thick layer of cheese on the top.

Place in the oven on the middle rack. Cook until the milk is completely gone, the cheese on top is turning golden, and the middle of the dish is starting to bubble. (Of the three, the milk being gone is the most important clue that the casserole is done.) It should take 30-45 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!

I have never measured out exactly how much of each ingredient I have put in the casserole. I also have never timed how long it actually takes. I swear each time I do it, it is different.

I am making one for Thanksgiving. I will post pictures of my casserole before we cut into it....

Update:

Here are some pictures of my casserole while it was being made and after....

Step 1: Boil the noodles

Step 2: Strain the noodles
Step 3: Mix in the cheese and pour noodles into the pan
Step 4: Flatten the noodles
Step 5: Pour in milk / salt and pepper to taste
Step 6: Apply the cheese for the crust

Step 7: Cook
Step 8: Enjoy

Shedding....

2010-11-23T00:11:00.013-05:00

Since I have been home so much because of my "lay off", I have gotten quite a bit of things accomplished around the house.

On Saturday, I cleaned off the back porch and found some metal corner bead (goes on the outside corner of a drywall-ed wall to keep the corner neat) that D and I had purchased last year from Lowe's. The intent of this metal corner bead was to place it on the edge of the shed's floor so that when we step up into the shed we don't damage the plywood flooring. Well, as you can imagine if I found it hidden on the back porch (behind things that shouldn't have been there anyway) it never got installed on the shed.

So, after I piled everything on the back porch onto the broken kiddy pool (which was purchased for the dog's - but after it got a crack in it, I beat the crap out of it with my aluminum baseball bat), I decided to just bite the bullet and install the beading.

I talked D into going outside to "help" me. D's job is to sit and watch until I ask her to do something. (We have devised this method of "help" because if she is actually helping, but I think she is not doing something correctly, we get into arguments. So, by waiting until I ask, we come out of projects a lot happier - and saner.)

While D was inside getting materials, I got the bright idea (D had the same idea, but she didn't verbalize it until after I had thought of it, so I take the credit) of fixing the doors to the shed with some of the beading, as well. The doors are NOT supposed to sag (at least that is what the manual states, but after the shed settled sagging just occurred. I guess the sagging just comes with age.

Well, we had everything set up. I should mention that the beading came in an 8 foot length, but D and I had the bright idea of cutting the beading at Lowe's with tin snips because we didn't want to purchase the tin snips for one use. However, neither of us measured the door opening, and we didn't measure the beading before we cut it. So, of course when I put the beading down to screw it onto the floor, it didn't fit. And we hadn't purchased the tin snips.

So, I had to find an old pair of scissors in the shed and cut the shorter length. Luckily the beading is very thin and the scissors worked.

In all, the project took about 20 minutes from start to finish, but the end result was awesome. The shed doors shut, the edge of the flooring is protected, and as an added bonus: the edge feels like there is more support under your foot.

Here are some before and after photos:

Before: Edge of the shed doorway
After: Edge of the shed doorway
Before: Sagging doors
After: NON-Sagging doors
After: Reason doors no longer sag

D did have to help (see she was there fore a reason). She had to help me hold the smaller pieces of the beading in place while I screwed in the first screw. And she makes an awesome holder. She holds whatever item I need held (such as screws) and hands it to me when needed. I couldn't have done it without her. Well... I probably could have, but it would have taken longer....

ICLW Week....

2010-11-22T11:15:00.003-05:00

ICLW week is upon us again.

First, welcome to my blog. To catch you up:

I am a 27 year old single female. I have always wanted children, so I planned on adopting an older child. Then after a few years, I planned on having a biological child. That plan changed Halloween 2009.

On Halloween of 2009 I came down with what would later be determined as appendicitis. During my two week appendicitis ordeal, the doctor's discovered that if I want to have biological children, I need to have them NOW.

As soon as I heard that, my plans went out the window. I decided that I would try to have a biological child, but I was not going to give up my hope of adopting. I continued to send out my homestudy for foster care children.

December of 2009, I met with an RE and we discussed IUI with donor sperm. In February, I had my first IUI. This one was natural with no medications, and I used OPKs to determine my fertile days. This IUI resulted in that I would have gotten pregnant, but my luteal phase was too short.

In March I went in for IUI number two. This time I used Letrozole to stimulate my ovaries in the hopes of creating more than one egg since I have regular cycles and I DO ovulate on my own. I also used OPKs this cycle, but the timing just seemed off going into the IUI. This IUI resulted in BFN (big fat negative for you laypeople).

The next IUI was scheduled for April, but it had to be canceled due to a cyst. This cycle was weird with it only lasting 15 days.

In May, I had the cyst aspirated so that I could continue with IUI number three. This IUI, I used Letrozole and injectible medication (Follistim). I stimulated for quite a few days, and I though the cycle was a little on the long side, but the RE's office assured me that everything was going perfectly. So, IUI number three, but this one also resulted in BFN.

I decided to take the summer off to save up money; however, during the summer I was hit with migraines. I have had migraines in the past, but these were week, month long headaches. By September the migraines have subsisted, and I have to wait a few cycles because I was on class "C" medications for my migraines.

In October, I decide that with my next day 1 that I am going to call the RE's office and do another IUI. This time with less meds, since my first IUI was successful without stimulating drugs. However, on October 15th I was laid off from my job. (There is a huge scandal about this "lay off", which you can fin in October and November's posts.)

Well, there went that idea. Now I am looking for a job, and maybe I can get back to trying to conceive (after things have settled down a bit and I raise enough money to continue). But for now, it is still just a dream....

Rudeness....

2010-11-17T22:34:00.005-05:00

People can be so rude. Ever since I have "come down" with my Bell's Palsy, I have run into a bunch of rude people. Here is just one instance:

Last Friday, on my way home from having lunch with D and some of her co-workers, I decided to stop at Pull-A-Part. For those of you who don't know what that is, it is a junkyard where you go in and (as the name implies) you pull your own part. I have been wanting to stop in for a while to see if they have a driver's side door handle for D's car (although why I seem to care when she doesn't...).

So, on Friday, as I was driving by, I decided to stop and see. I mean I had nothing better to do. I went into the store (for lack of better word), and immediately came up to a set of computers where you can look for the make and model of a vehicle. I plugged in Toyota Camry and a list of over 15 cars came up on the screen. I printed the list, and walked over to the second station. At the second station I asked if they could tell me if any of the vehicles on the list (all from the early 80s to 1997) would have a door handle compatible with a 2001 Camry. The lady told me to go back to the first station and ask someone there.

I go back to the first station (which had no one there when I was using the computer) and waited. Soon a guy who worked there walked up and asked if he could help me. Now I know that with my Bell's I mumble/lisp a little, but for the most part I sound perfectly normal. But this guy! He just sits there staring at me the entire time I am explaining what I want to know with a dumb look on his face. So, I'm standing there thinking that he doesn't understand what I am asking. So, I try to explain it to him differently.

But even after I explain it to him again, he is just sitting there staring at me. Then I kind of catch on, but I'm thinking "he can't be that rude". He sort of shakes himself (like he got a shiver), and says "sorry, you kind of sidetracked me", and starts typing something into the computer. As he is typing he slows down, looks back up at me, and starts to stare some more. I say "What?" He shakes himself again, and continues his computer search.

At that point I can only think two things. He is wondering why I am coming in there looking for a door handle (maybe that is not something people commonly look for?), or he is fascinated/horrified by my face. I was really hoping for the former.

After that he tells me that the '97 Camry should work, I move on to the second station, pay my dollar, and enter the yard. As I am walking to the correct row, I look at the vehicles I am passing, and I notice that a lot of them no longer have door handles! So, the latter was true.

He was just being rude!!!

I'm sorry, if I see some person who is obviously not normal (which I am not with Bell's), I am not going to stare at her like she is some giant freak! That is just plain rude!!!

It turns out that none of the Camry's had door handles that would have worked. So, I was stared at like a freak show for nothing....

Waiting....

2010-11-16T21:33:00.002-05:00

Still waiting.

I didn't receive a call from KM Middle today. I am really beginning to get nervous/anxious about the whole thing. I really hope that I get the job.

Today I filled out the additional forms again (the ones that were somehow lost, even though I mailed them from the post office). I had to go by the college to get one of my supervisors to fill out the reference form again, since that envelope was also lost. Ugh. I have had nothing but horrible thoughts about the post office since.

After I had my supervisor fill out the form, I decided to use the college's fax machine. I couldn't turn in the reference form with the rest of my forms (that wouldn't look right), and I don't trust the post office. So, the next best thing was a fax machine.

I used my code to log onto the machine, I punched in the number, loaded the form into the tray, and hit start. It began to dial the number, but half-way through I got a busy signal. What!! I tried it again. Same thing. I then called to the receptionist for help. She came in and I showed her what I was doing. As I was showing her I remembered that I didn't need the area code. I am so used to typing it in on my cell phone that it has become second nature. Stupid. So, I did it again (minus the area code), it dialed the number, I heard the fax machine sounds, and the paper fed all the way through. I locked the machine, and left the campus to take the rest of the forms to the district office.

Ten minutes later I am at the district office. I go up to the receptionist, tell her why I am there, and she tells me that I can leave the forms with her. For some reason I had to explain/show her everything that I was giving her. Maybe it was a self-confirmation that I was turning everything in that needed to be turned in. I don't know.

As I was headed back home, I got a phone call. I pulled the phone out of my pocket (I know I shouldn't be driving and talking on the phone, but I thought it might be KM Middle with a job offer), and it was my supervisor from the college. Apparently my fax did not go through. UGH!!! I told her to not worry, I would fax it from somewhere else. Is there some higher power that doesn't want me to get this reference form in?

It was lunch time, so I headed home for some home cooked food. I took my pain pills (I have been in a lot of pain from my Bell's Palsy - from what the doctor said, I shouldn't be in this much pain. So I have to go see my neurologist, but the appointment isn't until December 28th. Which means I will be in pain until then, I guess.), and decided to take a nap. I haven't been sleeping well because of the pain.

During my nap I got a call. Unfortunately it was from the payroll company for the job I was "laid off" from. Ms. Lamb wanted to know if I had checked into Medicaid (which I can't get because I don't have kids - and I make too much money between unemployment and the college). I spoke with her for about 5 minutes, and we decided that I would wait to pay COBRA - a freaking mortgage payment - until after I found out about this job.

Since I couldn't sleep because of the pain, I decided to call up my friend and ask her if I could fax the reference form to the district. She said "of course". So, I headed out the door. I didn't realize until I was riding up the elevator to her office that I had forgotten my phone at home. All I could think was "this will, of course, be when they call!" My friend faxed the form for me, and I actually got a confirmation this time. I stayed for a little while to speak to my friend, but I tried to keep it short so that I could hurry back to my phone. I felt so lost without it.

When I got home (20 minutes after leaving), I rushed to my phone. No missed calls, no voice mails, nothing. UGH!!!! Why won't they call!?!

So, here I am still waiting. Waiting to find out if I got the position. The longer the wait, the more I think that I didn't get the job; however, Mr. B. said that I would definitely be contacted either way. I WANT TO KNOW SO BAD!!!

Waiting is horrible....

Going Postal....

2010-11-15T23:07:00.003-05:00

Today marks exactly one month since I was "laid off". I was hoping to get good news today in the form of a job offer, but nada.

I tried to keep myself busy all day so that I wouldn't dwell on the fact that my phone wasn't ringing. I did this by not waking up until noon. For those of you who know my dog, that was a feat in and of itself. I think the house has been so cold lately - heater is broken - that Alek hasn't wanted to get out from under the covers any more than I have. So he let me sleep.

I feel a little guilty about sleeping til noon, but today was the first "work" day that I let myself sleep in. Every other day since my "lay off", I have gotten up around 9 to do something. Whether that something is work on my resume, get ready for a lunch with friends, go to an interview, etc., I have gotten up at a "decent" hour. But, today I slept in, and it felt awesome.

After I woke up, I watched a little TV and called the school district's human resources department to check to see if all of my application materials were there. I have been trying to get in contact with them for a while. I wanted to make sure that Mr. B. was able to thoroughly check all of my references on Friday, since that was the day he was tentatively scheduled to check references.

The application packet for district two consisted of: the application (filled out online), 2 references (got two of my supervisor's from the college), a background check form, and a prior address form. On October 29th, I went to the post office and mailed off the prior address form, the background check form, and a copy of my TB test in one envelope. In another envelope I had a sealed copy of my second reference from one of my supervisors.

Thus started the phone calls to see if they had received the rest of my application material.

I called up the district's human resources department on November 3rd: they had not received my additional information. The woman I spoke to told me that it takes 3-7 business days to scan in the signed forms and get them in the system. So, I called back on the 9th (Tuesday), but I had to leave a message. The woman's voicemail recording stated that the she was "in the office, but was unable to come to the phone." She also stated that she "would return the call as soon as possible."

By Friday (the 12th), I still had not received a response to my call. So, I called again, and once again, I got her voice mail. UGH!!! I left another message asking her to call me back, but by this afternoon, I still had not heard anything.

So, this afternoon I called the district office again, and... someone answered!!! It was the same woman I had left numerous messages for the week prior. She told me that we seemed to have been playing phone tag. When she said this I had to pull the phone back and give it a crazy look. In my book you can't play phone tag if you never call someone and leave them a message!

I asked her about my application material, expecting her to tell me that everything was there; however, she responded with the same information that I had received November 3rd!!! Only my application and one of my references were in my file! I asked her how that was possible, since I had mailed the rest of the material on October 29th. Her response was that maybe they haven't been scanned into the system, yet. Or maybe they got lost in the post. She told me that I could wait another week to see if they show up in the system, or I could fill out the forms again and send them in again.

Waiting is not an option. Filling them out again is; however, I am not going to trust them to the post office again. I mean how does mail get lost when you take it into the post office, you give it to them, they weight it, and you pay for the postage right there. It's inconceivable!!!

I tried calling the post office (where I had mailed the envelopes), but the phone just rang and rang. I called the 800-number (got an answer straight away), and they have started an investigation.

However, the investigation is not going to help that my application material was lost. Material that has my social security number, address, name, driver's license number, etc. on it. The investigation isn't going to help me when Mr. B. checks references for everyone who had a second interview, when he decides to go with candidate "Z" because they already have a background clearance and can start tomorrow.

I thought I was doing the best thing possible. I thought I was taking out one of the middle steps by taking the envelopes to the post office instead of leaving them in my mail box.

But apparently, this is one time that going postal may have screwed me....

Second Interview: Report....

2010-11-11T15:46:00.004-05:00

I have just returned from my second interview at the middle school in district two.

I left my house at 2:15 for the 25-30 minute drive to the middle school. I figured that it might take a little bit longer to get there since I have to pass a number of schools (and therefore school zones) to get to KM Middle.

I turn off the road, into the entrance of the middle school (which shares a parking lot with LC Elementary), and realize that there is no way to get to the parking section of the parking lot due to parents in the car riders pick-up line. So I have two options: wait in the pick-up line and possibly be late; or turn up the wrong way, for a couple of seconds and sneak in through the exit. I decided that I did not want to chance being late, so I turned up the wrong way. I made sure that there weren't any kids or cars coming before doing so.

I parked my car in a visitor parking space, got out of the car, did a little grooming, and put my purse in the trunk. At this point, I am 15 minutes early. It is always better to be early, so I head into the school.

School recently got out, so there are middle-schoolers milling about. I head to the front office, but have to wait while the receptionist helps a parent in front of me. After a minute, I tell the receptionist my name and that I am there for an interview with Mr. B. Behind me, a lady who was sitting in one of the chairs, says "are you Ms. Deer?". I turn around and tell her that I am, and she stands up and introduces herself as Meg, the Asperger's teacher. We talk for a moment, and I throw out my "sorry if I mumble, I have Bell's...". She says it's not a problem.

Mr. B comes around the corner, shakes my hand, introduces Megan, and takes me down a hallway in search of a conference room in which to talk. All of the conference rooms are full, so we use one of the guidance counselor's offices.

We go into the room, I shut the door, and Mr. B sits at the desk. He says "Congratulations, you made it through the first round." Megan and I laugh. Mr. B. states that "all of the candidates who have made it through the first round are qualified for the position, it is now just a matter of finding the right fit. Which is why Megan is here. She is the teacher for the Asperger's classroom, and she has some questions that she wants to ask the candidates." Mr. B. then asks me to explain my school background and job experience to Megan. While I am explaining Mr. B. leaves the office.

I start off stating that I ahve a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Architecture, a Master's of Architecture, and an electronic design minor from my college. I also tell her that while I was at school I was a TA and a tutor so I held help sessions, gave quizzes/exams, and held classes when needed. I then moved on to my work experience after college at two architecture firms in town (one for 2.5 years, the other for almost 2 years). I also told her about being an adjunct instructor at a local college for the last three years.

After the work experience background, I went on to talk about my niece and nephew who are special needs. I told her that I have a nephew that has Fragile X and Asperger's. She asked me a little about the Fragile X, and I explained that it was a genetic disorder where one of the legs of an X chromosomes is a little shorter. Then I told her about my niece who has Mild Cerebral Palsy.

I then said "as I told Mr. B., the last time I was here, I have been approved to adopt a special needs child of varying needs anywhere from mild to severe." She then asked me a few questions about the adoption process and where I stood. She asked how soon that would happen, and I said "as soon as I am matched with a child. I am ready for a kid, but it's all about the child and finding the perfect fit for him/her. Plus it's a little more difficult because I am (or will be) a single mom."

She then said that she had a few questions for me:

Question One: You have asked a child with Asperger's to sit in his chair five times, but he still won't do it. What do you do? Well, the first thing is to not get frustrated with the child. If I have to ask him to sit again, I will. It's like when I take my nephew (P) bowling, it doesn't matter that I have shown him how to put his fingers in the ball a hundred times. I know that the next time he goes up there, I will have to show him how to do it again. It is all about patience.

She then responded with: In my classroom, the kids are pretty good, and they know that I am not going to ask them five times to sit down. I am not going to continue to repeat myself. I am going to ask them to sit, and wait until they do it.

Question One: What does a sense of humor mean to you? The ability to tell a good story or a funny joke.

She responded with: The kids in my classroom have difficulties with social interactions. That is a huge part of what we do every day. And you have to have a sense of humor because they don't realize that something they have said is offensive.

We then talked about that for a few minutes. I told her I completely understood. Kids say the darnedest things, but you have to take those moments and turn them into teaching moments. I then gave an example about how my nieces or nephews will have said something like "wow you ate that really fast" or "you take huge bites" or "wow you're done already". They may not realize that that is something that they shouldn't say, but you have to explain to them (without getting angry or upset) why they shouldn't say that or they could have said this instead.

Question Three: What do you think is important for middle-schoolers to learn while in middle school? Aside from the curriculum, I think it is important for them to learn: Respect, for themselves and others. Responsibility for their actions. And to work hard and give their personal best.

She seemed to agree with everything that I said.

She then explained what exactly the job entails. She said that I would need to be there at 7:15 in the morning to meet two of the Asperger's students at their buses and escort them to the classroom. Then the first period of the day would be Language Arts. After the first period the students work on social skill "programs" or exercises which include history, science, and math (mixed in). One of the students is escorted to his math class, and I would be doing that. She said I would also need to take over the class if she is ever called away to get one of the students due to a "meltdown". She explained that the kids are sent to/can go to "Australia" (a calming corner) if they ever start to feel overwhelmed. I would also escort the two bus students individually to their bus in the afternoon. Then I would go back and help her take the rest of the kids to the car line.

After that she asked if I had any questions. The few questions I had were how many students are in the classroom (13), where the students all in one grade or was it mixed (2 sixth graders, 7 seventh graders, and 4 eighth graders), and if the class was just for the Asperger's students (there is one student who is in there because he is aggressive). I explained to her that I had had "training" for adoption that included behavioral issues, etc. We then talked a little more about my adoption.

After that, Mr. B. still had not returned. We had run out of things to talk about (as far as the position went), so we tried to talk a little about personal stuff (which was a little awkward). She told me that she is just out of school, this is her first year teaching, and that she moved down here from Ohio to teach at KM Middle. I told her about growing up in Georgia and moving to Columbia after college.

Then it got more awkward. She said that she had no clue where Mr. B. had run off to, but that she knew that he had set the goal to make a decision by Monday or Tuesday. She said that he wanted to call reference tomorrow and hopefully make calls Monday.

I couldn't really read how it went. Once again in the beginning it seemed to be really going well, but by the end.... In the beginning, when she was describing everything the job entailed, she said "you would need to be here by 7:15, the buses arrive at 7:25, and you will bring the two bus students to the room". Then in the middle she said something about math, "which you won't have a problem with, so that will help me out tremendously". But by the end it was once again basically that they have many candidates, and I'll know next week.

Makes me wonder if some of my answers were stupid. Well, to late to change it now. All I can do is wait. Ugh....

BD: The Turkey Mooch....

2010-11-11T11:01:00.004-05:00

BD is my brother. I should give you a little background: he is a MOOCH. I think that about covers it.

No seriously, I love my brother. He can be a really good brother, great sometimes. And he really cares about me and the rest of the family; however, he looks out for numero uno, BD. If he thinks there is a way to get a little ahead, he takes it. He also tries to get anyone else to do his work for him when it comes to small things. But that is not to say that he isn't a hard worker, just that if he can get out of it, he will.

Clear as mud, right?

Well, I was on the phone with BD yesterday. He calls me about 5 times a day. Seriously. Unless he is dating his ex, but that is another story.

So, I am on the phone with BD, and he brings up Thanksgiving. We are having it at his house, (an hour away for me) and our mom is purchasing a deep-fried turkey. She normally makes her own turkey, but last year D and I purchased a deep-fried turkey on our way down to our grandmother's house. My mom and brother loved the turkey, so my mom figured she would purchase one from the same place.

Well, BD asked if D and I were also purchasing a turkey. I told him that we were, but it was to bring back up with us. (So that we don't have to take any of my mom's turkey for leftovers.) Then BD gets into this "discussion" with me about how the turkey is a WHOLE turkey, which means that it has both light and dark meat.

"Yeah, BD, that is what it means when you get a whole turkey!" (Me)

"But I only like turkey breast meat!" (BD)

"There will be turkey breast meat on it. It is a WHOLE turkey!!" (Me)

"But there won't be enough. You're just gonna have to leave me some of your turkey." (BD)

"No I am NOT! That is why D and I purchased our own turkey. So that we can have leftovers! If you want your own, buy it!" (Me)

"When are you picking it up?" (BD)

"On the way down like we did last year." (Me - thinking he just wanted me to pick up his purchased turkey)

"So it will be at my house? That means you will give me some of your turkey, right?" (BD - joking)

"You're not getting any of my D*** turkey!!!!" (Me - not joking)

"Whatever. You'll give me some." (BD)

Just so you all know, the conversation was not heated. BD and I sort of pick on each other, but he was starting to get on my nerves.

Some of you may be wondering what the big deal is, and to those of you I say "DEEP-FRIED TURKEY!!!!" D and I shared our turkey last year with BD and he took a LOT. We feel like we are purchasing our own turkey for left overs at over $50, so BD should too. I know my mom will give him some leftovers from hers. It just may not be as much as BD wants.
Deep-fried turkey is that good.

It starts family feuds.

Just joking.

No, I'm not.

Boy ain't getting any of my turkey!!!!

Second Interview....

2010-11-11T10:45:00.003-05:00

My second interview is today!!!!

As I stated in a previous post, it was originally scheduled for last Friday at 3:30; however, something came up and the school had to reschedule it for today at 3:30. Well, now it is scheduled for 3:00. Yep, they rescheduled it again, or maybe it was just a move-up. Either way, Mrs. D. called me yesterday (while I was on the phone with my brother, I will tell you about that in a different post in a minute), and asked if it would be okay if I came in at 3 instead of 3:30.

I told her that was perfectly acceptable. She told me that she was sending me a reminder email now (or rather then) which would contain the corrected time. I told her that was fine, and we disconnected.

I am beginning to wonder if this is a test to see how flexible I am (since it is/was one of the characteristics they wanted).

Whatever it is, it is fine with me. 30 minutes is not a huge change.

I am really excited!!! But nervous at the same time. I have never had a second interview before! In the past, I have always been offered the job during the first interview, which may be why I was so bummed out about my first interview. Hmmm....

I am also nervous because of my Bell's Palsy. I have decided to break the ice of my Bell's by saying: Pardon me if I mumble, I have Bell's Palsy, but I will try to speak clearly. That should let them know that something is different, inform them about what it is, and clear the floor if they have questions (which if I didn't mention it first they would be leery to do so).

I, of course, will keep you all posted about the interview....

Interview....

2010-11-09T10:27:00.005-05:00

Well, I was hoping to have a little bit better news, but here is where I stand on the job search....

On October 19, 2010, I filled out an application for a teacher's aide in one of the local school districts (school district 2). I thought the application was for both a teacher's aide and substituting (because the online form stated that you didn't need to fill out a new form for each vacancy), but I didn't realize it wasn't until over two weeks later. Ugh.

The next day I ordered my college transcripts, took the reference forms to the college for one of my supervisors to fill out, and headed off to the doctor's office to get a TB test . Two days later the TB test was read and it was negative.

Now I know I have mentioned all of that before, but I wanted to catch people up....

So, that Saturday (October 23, 2010), I received my college transcripts in the mail. I had filled out another application for school district 5 (also for substituting and aide) that required an official copy of my college transcripts. Since there was nothing I could do with them (I needed to photocopy them anyway), I didn't really do anything as far as searching for a job that weekend.

On Monday (the 25th), I started to come down with a cold, and Tuesday I met with a lawyer (you can read all about it in this post).

Wednesday, I go to the doctor for my cold, and while I am out, I stop off at the college to get my other supervisor to fill out reference forms for both school districts (it is impossible to get her on the phone, and she doesn't check her email - UGH!). On my way home, I get my many prescriptions filled. Thankfully, my insurance is still working until the end of the month!

Thursday morning, at a bright 8:04 am, I am woke up to my telephone ringing. Typically I do not answer my phone if I do not recognize the number, but since I am in a job search, I answered the phone.

On the other end was a Mrs. D. She works at a middle school in district 2, and she wanted to know if I would be interested in coming in to interview for a teacher's aide position the next day. I told her I would be interested, and we set up a time for me to go in: 9:00 am on Friday morning.

I hung up the phone, and that is when I started to freak out. I had an interview!!!! Yay, but none of my dressier clothes still fit me, or at least I didn't think they did. I immediately went into the kitchen (where my desktop computer is set up) and IMed D. She was appropriately excited for me. We talked about clothes I could wear, and since D and I are about the same size (even though I am about 4 inches taller), she stated that I could wear something of hers.

So, I was excited all day. When D got home, I talked her into going to my night class so that we could go get me a pair of dress shoes (and eat out). When we got home, I tried on my interview outfit, and I looked good.

The next morning, I get up really early (excited/nerves). I leave the house at 8:15. I have never been to this school, and it is over 25 minutes away - according to my iPhone GPS. I get there at 8:45, and decide to head on in. It's always a better to be early, rather than late.

I sign in at the front desk, and then I sit there for about 20 minutes. I can't complain about the wait because I DID arrive early. The man I am meeting with, who happens to be the 6th grade vice principal, finally comes out, shakes my hand, and directs me to a conference room.

Once seated he pulls out a typed sheet with questions on it. He then proceeds to ask me the questions and take notes.

The first questions was: Tell me a little about your schooling and job history. I then talked for a minute or two about how I have a Master's of Architecture, Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Architecture, and an Electronic Design minor from my college. How when I was in college, I was a TA and a tutor, holding help sessions for English, physics, computer classes, etc. How, since I've been out of school, I have worked for over two years at architecture firm X, and then almost two years at architecture firm Y. Also, during that time, I have worked at a local college teaching in the architecture and engineering departments.

The second question was: Can you tell me (and I think I already know the answer to at least one of these) how you would rate yourself on a scale of 1-10 in the following categories and why? Technology? I would have to say 10. That's what I thought. How about flexibility? 9, because in architecture the design is constantly changing because of the codes, the client, etc. The other category(ies) I can't remember, but I do remember that I responded with: 8.

The third questions was: What is your strongest point (I think I know the answer to this one as well)? Technology, because tech is constantly changing, and if you want to keep up, you have to change with it. (I tried to throw flexibility and adaptability in there, as well.) What is your weakest point? I would have to say how I project myself to others. What do you mean? Well, for instance, I pick on myself in front of my nieces and nephews, which sort of opens the door for them to turn around and pick on me. (I know it was a horrible response. I have decided in the future that I will use perfectionist.)

The forth questions was: How do you deal with office drama and gossip? Well, first I don't like to gossip, and second it is none of my business if X is upset with Y. I am there to work. How would you deal with office strife? How would you handle a coworker that you personally don't like? Well, we are adults; therefore, I would treat the situation with a professional manner. I know that in the past I have not gotten along with every single coworker, but I didn't let that effect my work. If there was something specific, I would talk to that coworker to try to resolve the issue.

The fifth question was: Rate the following categories based on your highest level (highest level you have taken), and your comfort level for each. Math, Science, History, English. Well, as far as math goes, I have had statics, calculus, etc. So, I am extremely comfortable with math. The same would go for science. My highest level was physics. English: I am pretty comfortable with. Just don't ask me the structure of a sentence. I can write a sentence, but to this day can't tell you the difference between an adverb and an adjective. And History: Would that include geography? It could. Well, I am pretty good at the history part - I took a bunch of art history in college, but I am terrible at geography.

He then talked for about 10 minutes about the school and the position I was interviewing for. I was there to interview for two positions, both as a special needs teacher's aide. During our discussion I mentioned that I have a nephew with Asperger's and Fragile X, (same poor kid) and a niece with mild Cerebral Palsy. I also mentioned at some point that I have been approved to adopt a special needs child through the state foster care system.

I was not entirely sure how the interview went. In the middle of the interview he said I would "see it when I got in the classroom", but at the end of the interview he told me that he was in the middle of the interview process, and that I would hear something either way by the end of the next week. He also said to not be surprised if I was called in for a second interview.

So, after I left the interview I was a little down. I was beating myself up for some of my more stupid comments. All I could do was wait.

Then Sunday (Halloween day), I had to go to the ER. You can read all about it in this post. I thought awesome. Here I am without a job, needing to go on interviews, and my face looks like this. Great. But since there is nothing I can do about it, I sucked it up.

On Wednesday, I thought for sure that I had bombed the interview. The two vacancies that I had interviewed for were taken off the district website. There were two new positions, but the two I had interviewed for were gone. I was just waiting for the call to tell me that I didn't get the job.

The call came Thursday morning. I must have slept through my phone ringing; however, Mrs. D. left a nice long message. She stated in the message that they wanted me to come back for a second interview, and to call her and let her know if Friday afternoon was good!!!! Yay!!! I immediately called her back, but I had to leave her a message. When she called me back we agreed on Friday afternoon at 3:30. I was extremely excited.

I IMed D, and she asked if she should be worried. I told her that I wasn't, so she shouldn't be either. She told me that they wouldn't waste their time with a second interview unless they were really interested in me. I agreed.

The next day, while I was in the shower, Mrs. D called and left a message on my phone stating that all interviews for the day had to be rescheduled for next Thursday (November 11). She asked me to call her back and let her know if that was acceptable. She stated that she would go ahead and schedule me for the same time (3:30). I immediately called her back and told her that was perfectly acceptable. She apologized for the short notice, but I told her that it was fine, these things happen.

I IMEd D, and she asked if I was concerned. I told her no. Mrs. D. on the voicemail was very adamant that they wanted me to come in for the second interview, but something unforeseen had come up. When D got home, she listened to the voicemail and agreed.

I also told D that this might be a blessing in disguise. It would give me that much longer for my face to "heal" or whatever it needs to do.

So, I had hoped to post this with good news about my having a job after the second interview, but maybe that good news will come a little later in the week....

Meeting with the Lawyer....

2010-11-04T10:03:00.004-04:00

Now that things are starting to settle into a bit of a routine (and because I am getting used to my Bell's Palsy), I figure it is time to catch you up on the other stuff that has been going on the last few weeks.

As I mentioned in this post, I was scheduled to meet with a lawyer on Tuesday, October 26, 2010. So, this is how that meeting went....

I arrived for the appointment a couple of minutes late, but I made sure I called when I realized I was going to be late. If the water company had not been sitting directly in front of my house drilling into the road, I would have arrived early. Instead, they were out there blocking my driveway with their huge equipment. I had to sit there for over ten minutes while they seemed to back up, move forward, back up, move forward, and so on, and so on. The stupid machine never seemed to leave the end of my driveway (almost as if they were doing it on purpose, but I know they weren't).

So, I arrived at the lawyer's office about five minutes late, and the receptionist brought me a glass of water. My throat was really dry and sore because the day before I had come down with some sort of cold. My lawyer's assistant came out with a form for me to read and sign stating that I agreed to pay the initial hourly fee before I left for the day, etc.

After reading and signing the form, the receptionist and I talked a little about the yearly parties that the firm used to hold when I worked in the architecture firm on the third floor. That is how I knew of the law firm in the first place, I used to work in the same building. The biggest hit of the parties was the jumbo shrimp table where they had shrimp as large as a dinner plate.

My lawyer's assistant finally called me back and lead me to my lawyer's office. We introduced ourselves, she asked me a few questions about my old firm (how the company I worked for was different from the company POS worked for - the two companies share two of the same partners, but are DIFFERENT companies), and then asked me to tell her my side/story of how things went down.

If any of you are new or unfamiliar, check out this post for more detail.

After I talked her through my 5 pages of typed chronological notes of the events, she told me that I had a solid case. She agreed that I was terminated because POS got a bug up his butt about my having to serve on jury duty. Well, she phrased it a little nicer. Something like "retaliation for jury service", but I knew what she meant.

She then asked me questions about where I wanted the case to lead.

Did I want my job back? No, because I had lost all faith in the company. I would be afraid that they would take me back to get out of the legal hassle, then turn around and fire me for no reason. Then I wouldn't have a leg to stand on because SC is an "at-will state". God how I hate at-will. It only benefits the employer.

What did I think would be fair compensation? At least 6 months severance. In this economy there is no way I can find a job with the same amount of benefits and monetary pay in the architecture field. Plus T's husband got a 6 month severance when he was let go from a different architecture firm (he has been out of work for going on 8 months now).

Would I like to try to get them to pay for my medical benefits (COBRA)? Yes. It wouldn't hurt to ask.

Did I think that there was anyone there who would give me a fair reference? Yes, BK. She was my supervisor. She was kept out of the loop of what POS and *** did, so I think she would be fair.

Then the lawyer added some other "conditions": That they be willing to state that they would rehire me (apparently if they are called by a future employer and they state that they would NOT be willing to rehire me, it looks bad on me), that the official terminology for the termination be for "lack of work" or "laid off" (in this economy, that shouldn't hurt me), and a good reference letter from BK that I could use at my own discretion.

For all of that I would be willing to give up any rights to future claims against them.

Then the lawyer asked me if I would be willing to put her on retainer. I told her it really depended on how much the retainer would be. I figured she would throw out a number like $1500 (which I could have probably squeaked by with setting aside), but instead she throws out $2500. There must have been a look of shock on my face because she then starts in on why she wants that large (to me anyway) retainer.

It is to prove to her that I am serious about the matter, and that I can afford her services. Uh, HELLO!!! I was just laid off, which means there is less or no money coming in!!! Of course I can't really AFFORD your services!!

I told her that I would have to talk to my parents about the matter. So, she types up a contract, prints three copies, and tells me to return the contract with the retainer. I don't mean to make her out to be mean or heartless. She was very nice the entire time I was there. She got appropriately ticked off the more she heard of my story. However, this is her living, and I know she can't do it for free.

So, after I left the lawyer's office I called up my parents. I spoke on the phone with MD for about an hour about the whole situation. She told me that my dad would be back later in the week (he had gone to Colorado for an elk hunting expedition - MEN!!), and she would have him call me later.

On Thursday, I talk to my dad for over an hour, and he waits for the last five minutes of the conversation to tell me that he "wishes he could help me, but money is just too tight for them at the moment." All that time he is telling me that I need to go after my previous employer, make sure they pay, if I don't do anything about it they will just do it to someone else, etc, etc, etc.

Then he asks me what I am going to do. I tell him I don't know. That if I paid the retainer, there is no guarantee that it will only take that much. I may have to put more money in later. He reiterates that he wishes he could help....

So, right now I am sitting on the lawyer's contract hoping that I get a full-time job soon enough to go after my previous employer. Until I firm up my finances a bit, there is no way I can afford to go after them.

But there may be a bit of a light, but I will tell you all about it in my next post. Here is a hint.... Interviews.

Halloween at the ER....

2010-11-01T09:24:00.006-04:00

Sorry I haven't been on lately. I have a lot to catch up on with the job search, lawyer visits, etc; however, I am going to devote this posty to my Halloween ER visit. But I am getting ahead of myself. I should start at the beginning.

Monday, October 25th was just another day. I went to my night job at the college, gave some of my students their hands-on midterm, and left to go home. On my home I noticed that I had a little tickle in my throat. I didn't really think anything of it, but by Tuesday morning my sore throat was a lot worse and my ears started to hurt. I decided that if I wasn't any better by Wednesday, I would go to the doctor.

Now as most of you are aware, I was laid off on the 15th of October. So, my insurance was going to run out at the end of the month. What better time to go to the doctor? Laid off with very little money coming in.

So, I went to my regular physician Wednesday afternoon because my ears were really starting to hurt, my nose was runny, my throat was really sore, and I could feel the cold or whatever moving into my chest. My doctor tests me for strep (negative) and takes a CBC to see if I am anemic (I wasn't). The doctor comes back in and tells me that I have double ear infections, mild bronchitis, and some sort of bug that is going around. He hands me some prescriptions and sends me on my way.

I get my prescriptions filled (two antibiotics, Respa, a new inhaler, and yeast infection medicine - just in case) and head home.

On Thursday I am starting to feel a lot better. The Respa has made it where I can blow my nose and actually have stuff come out! Too bad it made it so that my nose is all stuffy and I can't breath. The antibiotics help me so that my ears feel a little better.

On Friday, my right ear is causing me some major pain. I go back to the pharmacy and get ear drops that are supposed to alleviate my ear pain.

On Saturday, D helps me by heating up the drops and putting them in my ear. Nothing seems to be helping my right ear. I try the drops, heat, everything!!, but to no avail. I finally head off to take a nap (I am extremely cranky and getting on D's nerves I'm sure) around 6 pm. My nap turns into a sleep for the night, but the only time I got some relief was if I was asleep.

Sunday (Halloween Day), I wake up around 9:15. D gets up shortly after me, and we start watching some Supernatural on DVD. I grab a bowl of cereal, but it really doesn't taste right (which is really weird because I have never disliked this cereal before).

Around 11 someone comes to the front door and rings the doorbell. D hits pause, and we sit there while this person refuses to leave. We NEVER answer the door if we haven't invited someone over, and we hate it when people show up uninvited. The person finally leaves and we realize that it is one of D's friends (who lives over 6.5 hours away!, so we had no clue he was going to just drop by). D gives her friend a call, he comes back, and they decide to go out to lunch.

While they are gone, I try to take a nap because my ear is still killing me. D comes back (as soon as I start to drift off on the couch), and she brought me back lunch! It is one of my favorite meals, but it also tastes really weird. I notice that my face is feeling weird, but when I ask D if it looks odd she tells me no. We continue to watch Supernatural, and at some point D looks over at me and sees me poking the right side of my face with my plastic fork! She starts laughing and tells me to stop eating if it tastes weird.

I put the lunch up and we finish watching the episode. At some point I start to realize that my right eye is not blinking with my left. I get up to go to the bathroom and stare at myself in the mirror. For the next half hour I freak D out by showing her that the right side of my face is not moving with my left. It is completely paralyzed!!! We decide that I need to go to the emergency room, so I hop in the shower and get ready.

At 3 we get to the ER. D drops me off at the entrance, and I sign in. Just after she meets up with me, they bring out my hospital bracelet. A few minutes later they call my name to take me back to the initial vitals screening. D and the nurse have fun picking on me and lecturing me because I forget to tell a lot of my most recent history. Apparently the hospital doesn't have it in their records that I have had a brain tumor (not my fault if their records are wrong), and I forget to mention things like my recent trip to the dentist, appendicitis, etc.

So, after they nag me, the nurse asks me what is wrong. D immediately calls out "smile for her", which makes me laugh and the nurse sees that only the left side of my face moves. Apparently this is pretty big because a second person comes in from the hospital admit department. He hands me papers about admission to the hospital, and asks for my insurance (thankfully it is still October and I have insurance), and for my copay.

The original nurse comes back in with Marvin (another nurse). The original nurse asks me to smile for Marvin, and only half my face moves. Marvin takes me to another room and has me change into a gown. After I have changed, Marvin comes back and tries to get an IV line started. I tried to tell him to go through my hand, but he doesn't believe me (they never do) and tries to go through my elbow. After digging around in my elbow, he agrees to try my hand. Ten minutes later he has the line in and is taking vial after vial of blood.

At 5:30 they move me from Trauma waiting to the actual ER pod. At first I am lying in a bed in the hallway, but after about 15-20 minutes they move me to a private ER room. A doctor finally comes in, checks my ears (apparently the infection is completely gone), and tells me that I have Bell's Palsy.

Bell's Palsy is a paralysis of the facial nerve which controls facial movement, blinking, and taste on the tongue. The nerve can become inflamed from a virus, usually within two weeks from having a cold, ear infection, etc. If you catch the inflammation soon enough (within 72 hours), steroids can help bring the inflammation down.

D asks the doctor an intelligent question about taping my eye shut so that I can sleep. I was having difficulty sleeping in the trauma waiting area because I couldn't shut my eye. The doctor either didn't understand what D was talking about or he just had no clue because he said that i should not tape my eye. He seemed to think that my other eye would just try to compensate for the closed or patched eye. I ask if I can have any pain medicine for my ear (it felt like someone was stabbing me in the ear with an ice pick), and he said he would send in a nurse with some pain meds and my first dose of steroids.

After he left, another doctor came in. This was the supervising doctor, and she explained more about Bell's Palsy to us. She said that the steroids would bring down the inflammation, but that I might not regain the full function to the right side of my face for 3 months to over a year. She also explained that since I can't shut my eye, that I need to use eye drops, should tape it shut at night, and put a patch over it (at night) to keep any debris from entering it!!!! That is what we were trying to ask the other doctor!!! They bring me some pain meds and my first dose of steroids. And after a while I start to feel the effects of the pain meds. Sweet RELIEF!!!!

We finally get out of there at 6:45. We head to the pharmacy, but the pharmacy next to hospital closes at 6 on Sunday. The store stays open until 8, but the pharmacy closes at 6. Ugh. We had to drive all the way across town to a 24 hour pharmacy. Since we were headed out that direction, we decided to continue the tradition of going to O' Charley's after I get out of the ER. The tradition started with my appendicitis, which I came down with on Halloween night last year.

We finally got home at 9:15. I can just hope that Halloween next year had better not bring any surprises. However, this year I didn't have to get a costume. My face provided me with the best ever... Two-Face from Batman.

Me: At the emergency room
Me: Trying to move the right side of my face
Me: After the paralysis has fully set in
You can see how flat/droopy the right side of my face is (left side of photo)

Officially Laid Off....

2010-10-22T12:41:00.002-04:00

As I stated in a previous post, my unemployment summary of benefits showed that I had not worked any of 2010 (which I so did!!!). When I showed the form to HR, he told me to call up unemployment.

Today, I followed his advice... sort of. Instead of calling unemployment, I decided to head down there first thing this morning. Well, since I stayed up late (3:15 am) to finish True Blood (addictive), my "first thing" wasn't so first thing. I got up at 9:30, not bad for so little sleep, and got ready to head out.

I arrived at the unemployment office at 10:05. When I first walked in there was a sign on a little desk that stated "Sign in here FIRST". Well, there was no one sitting at this desk, so I reached for the clipboard to try to sign in. Then this older lady comes flying around the corner and starts going "eh, eh, eh" and reached for the clipboard. She asked me why I was there, and I handed her the summary of benefits. She wrote my information onto the clipboard and told me my name would be called shortly.

So, I went to sit in the waiting room. about 50 minutes later my names is called along with three other people. We line up in front of the "reception" desk and wait our turn. Once it was my turn, the lady (a different one) asked me for my reason for being there. I informed her that I was there about my benefits summary and not receiving my packet with the phone number to call to receive benefits. She started going off about how to call in for benefits and started to send me on my way. I reminded her about the summary of benefits, and she put my name on another list after I showed her my proof of employment.

Then, I went back to the waiting room to wait. About 30 minutes later they call out a list of 10-12 names and ask us to line up along the wall. My name was the second to last name called so I lined up. Another lady comes out and leads us to a room in the back of the building. We pass all of the "claim adjusters" and are told to wait there until our names are called. Here I wait for about 10 minutes.

Finally my name is called. This really nice lady takes me to her desk and she asks me why I am there. At first she tried to tell me just to call in my benefits weekly until I had my "fact finding interview", but after I showed her the benefits summary she understood.

Well, the fact finding interview was because they thought I had filed a claim against the college where I teach and not my day job. After we got everything sorted out (she switched the claim around in the system) she told me that my benefits summary had self-updated yesterday.

But that doesn't mean that my trip was a complete waste. I got the number to call to claim benefits, I got the fact finding interview straightened out, and the lady called up my employer while I was sitting there to determine the reason for my termination. HR told her that it was because of "lack of work".

I know that isn't true, but at least my claim has been approved and I can start receiving benefits. There is no telling how long I will be without a job....

ICLW Week....

2010-10-21T11:25:00.007-04:00

ICLW week is upon us. For those of you who are new to my site, take a look around.

Thanks everyone for all of the comments/intelligent opinions.

I spoke to a lawyer on the phone yesterday. After giving her a short summary of my wrongful termination she agreed to take my case. She seems to think that everything will get resolved with just a demand letter (a nasty one). I am not exactly sure what I will be demanding... it could be a larger severance, my job back, etc.

My lawyer seemed just as livid as I am. She agrees that the entire ordeal seemed rather fishy. Especially the part where he was not my boss and my supervisor was not informed by my boss or POS.

I should also mention that my lawyer is huge in SC. She has been the co-author and editor for all editions of the Labor and Employment Law for South Carolina Lawyers, has been listed amongst the best lawyers in America since 2005, and voted one of the super lawyers in SC since 2008. She is one of the best in the state, and her fee proves it. Whatever happened to the free consultation and the lawyer gets paid when they win the case? Well, hopefully it doesn't actually go to a lawsuit.

I will keep you updated on that matter.

As far as the job hunt goes... I spoke with my boss at the college where I teach night classes. He has agreed to give me more classes; however, that won't go into effect until January. And even then, I would need 8-9 classes to return to my previous pay.

Architectural firms are out, no one is hiring. UGH.

In the meantime, I am trying to get a substitute position for one of the local school districts. I am waiting on my official college transcripts and my TB test results. The pay is not that great, but it pays more than unemployment.

I filed for unemployment before I left work the day I was terminated. Tuesday I got a summary of benefits, which shows the last four quarters that I worked. However, for all of 2010 it shows that NO unemployment insurance was paid for me. It basically is showing that I have not worked any in 2010. When I showed this form to HR yesterday, he told me to call up unemployment and tell them that I definitely worked. I know I worked!!! I have the pay stubs to prove it!

So, today I have decided to take the day off from my new job of trying to find a job. There is nothing I can do about the substitute position until tomorrow (when I get my TB test read). I have already updated my resume. I could be working on my portfolio, but I need a break. I haven't taken any down time since I was let go.

So I am about to watch the first season of True Blood. Never seen it, but it is something to do.

Oh!! For those of you who are interested.... C had another cheerleading competition last Saturday. And they won FIRST!!!! After the competition C asked about Lexington JV, and when she was informed that they didn't compete she said "that's why we got first". She was so cute. I thought I would share that with you. A little lightheartedness in the midst of all my DRAMA.

Changes....

2010-10-18T16:04:00.006-04:00

So, I have not written in a while. Mostly because I am trying to wrap my head around it myself.

I was either laid off or fired on Friday from my day job. I have no clue which it was because the termination did not come from my boss. Instead POS stayed after he thought everyone else had left for the day (I was still there because I had gone to lunch and was making up for that hour), came into my office and stated: "Your services are no longer needed. Pack up your things and leave."

My response to that was "OK". He then seemed to back-peddle a little and say "This isn't coming from me, this is coming from *** (boss' name)". I again replied "OK". He then back-peddled even more and stated "I'm sure you're aware that money has been tight around here lately. *** thought he was going to get some jobs, but we didn't. So, we can't keep you on any longer." Then he told me about my severance, and reminded me that I needed to pack up all of my things and leave immediately.

After that, he left my office and went upstairs. The next thing I know, I don't have access to the server or my email. E, another employee, comes into my office. (apparently the office wasn't as empty as POS thought) and asked me if he heard correctly. I said apparently so.

So here is where things get a little tricky. I had jury duty last week. POS was harassing me since he found out that I had jury duty. He would keep forgetting, and when I reminded him he would give me the third degree.

"What do you mean you have jury duty?"

"Just that POS, I have to serve on jury."

"Don't they know you have a job?"

"I'm sure they don't care that I have a job, POS."

"When?"

"All of week X"

"When does it start?"

"Monday."

"When does it end?"

"Friday"

"You mean you have it all week?"

"Yes, POS, all week."

"What about project Y"

"T will be here. I am sure she can handle it."

"Well, you make sure she knows what is going on with that project. You come in next week after jury duty and make sure she does it correctly. Etc, etc."

Then on Tuesday when I went to work in the afternoon:

"You done with jury duty?"

"For today"

"You mean you have to go back?"

"Yes, POS. I have to go back the rest of the week."

"Until when?"

"Friday"

Then later that same day he told me that he had spoken to *** about one of the projects I was working on. "I met with ***, and we have decided to give Y project to E to see how he handles the Revit. That way if you aren't here in the future someone can do it.:

"OK, POS."

On Wednesday, I went to HR and filed a harassment complaint against POS for two things. One he was harassing me about jury duty (something I have no control over), and secondly because he told me I couldn't go to my Uncle's funeral.

POS was out of the office Wednesday and Thursday. However, my boss (***) was in the office in Thursday. He said nothing to me about jury duty. He didn't act as if anything was wrong or anything.

Friday, after jury duty, I arrived at the office by 10:15. POS said nothing to me the entire day until I sent him an email about Project Y. E, who does not know the programs that I know, was trying to get Project Y done; however, he does not know how to use Photoshop. He asked me to do the rendering modifications as well so that we had something usable. I finished my renderings and emailed them to POS.

The next thing I know he is yelling across the hall:

"Michelle, why are you sending me this? E is working on this. I told you that you were off the project."

I responded with "E asked me to do it as well."

"Why is T in this photo?" Etc, etc.

He basically got mad at me because I had gone to the airport to measure the "site" and I used a measuring tape. He had specifically told me not to use a measuring tape. He also told me that if anyone asked questions about the reason I was taking pictures of the airport I was to lie. He told not to tell them I worked for an architectural firm, that I just liked the architecture.

When I went to BK, my boss when *** is not there, about this, she told me to take her card and NOT to lie. It would get me into way more trouble. She also handed me a tape measure. So, I took it and used it.

After I was terminated I cleaned out my office immediately. If you can consider staying there until 10:30 at night with no other employees there immediate. I also talked to HR and he said that he was sure POS would not have over stepped his bounds if *** had not asked him to terminate me.

Today, I went to the office to talk to BK, my boss when *** is away. She told me that as far as she knew there were no money problems (*** had agreed the week prior to purchase a software program that I needed). She also was unsure if I was laid off, fired, or even really terminated since she had heard nothing from ***. She also thought that if *** wanted me gone based on money issues he would have done it on Thursday.

My thoughts are that *** does not know that POS has let me go (or fired me, whichever it is supposed to be). POS just wanted it to look like I had quit.

I have news for them all. It is illegal to terminate someone because of jury duty or because they file a harassment claim against you. I will be taking this matter up with a lawyer....

SC State Fair....

2010-10-14T13:18:00.012-04:00

Yesterday was the first day of the South Carolina State Fair!!!

D and I are pretty big on traditions. There are only a few things that we will splurge money on a year, and the SC State Fair is one of those splurges.

We started the tradition when we moved to Columbia, SC four and half years ago. That first year D didn't have a job (yet) so she didn't come that year, but every year since we have gone. Four years ago we went and we won this awesome big teddy bear (about the size of a toddler).

Straight away I had the thought that I should win a second one so that I could one day have my child's picture taken with the teddy bear (that we nicknamed Geddy because he is a ghetto teddy) wearing the same outfit as the bear. So, when I went back to the fair later that week for lunch, I spent almost $20 to win a second Geddy (nicknamed Geddy 2). We know which one is which because the original Geddy has pants.

Then two years ago we went to the fair and I won a baby Geddy. I was not able to win a second one, but I did manage to win some toys for my furbaby, Alek.

Well, this year we were thinking about not going to the fair. I know!! To not do something that we considered a tradition is sacrilege!!! We had some very good reasons behind it though....

First, neither one of could really afford to do it. D because of her student loans, and me because I am trying to save up for IUI/IVF. Second, I have jury duty this week. And third, I teach night classes. I didn't know how long jury duty was going to take, and we like to take the afternoon of the first day off so that we can beat the crowds.

Well, my jury duty got out really early yesterday (11 am), and D was already getting off work for a doctor's appointment. So, I called D up, told her I had emailed my students that class was canceled (I know, I know, I am a terrible teacher), and that we were going to the fair.

So at 4:30 (the time I get off work) D met me at work, we drove my car to the fair grounds, and our SC State Fair tradition continues!!

We like to go the first day because it only costs $1 to get in. We don't ride any rides, so we save money that way. We go to see the art/crafts exhibits, the sand sculpture, and to eat the fair food. We rarely get to see the sand sculpture finished because it isn't finished until later in the week. However, this was the first year that we actually saw people working on the sculpture. The theme this year must have been "gardens". Here are some photos of the sculpture under construction.

Friend Giveaway....

2010-10-14T03:10:00.001-04:00

Check out "Beckie's Infertility Journey" for the ~The Friendly Friends Giveaway~.

Jury Duty....

2010-10-13T12:49:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone! I have a short break from jury duty today. We were called in, but the matter was resolved without a trial. Since that was the only jury case on the docket, we were allowed to go home. Well, I came in to work, but semantics.

I don't know if any of you have ever had jury duty before, but here is the process in my city court....

On Monday we had to be there before 9:00. Now I don't know about any of the other people who were summoned, but to me if the courts tell you to be somewhere at a certain time, you had better be there at that time. We still had stragglers coming in at 9:45! Ridiculous.

Then, I had to go through the metal detector, sign into the juror book, and go up to the third floor, courtroom #4. Courtroom #4 is set aside as the juror room. This is where the jurors sit when they are not on a trial. There is nothing to do in this room except sit there and wait. Good thing I brought a book!! In total, there were about 45 of us in the jury "pool".

At 10:30, a deputy came in and told us about the process. He told us how we would determine if we were needed for the subsequent days, etc. When he was done he left us to wait some more.

Around noon, the same deputy came down and told us that the judge was ready to see us. We filed out of the room and lined up in the hallway. The deputy then led us down to the second floor and into the courtroom. For the next hour the judge went through the process of excusing people who needed to be excused, transferred to another week, etc.

By the time she was done there were only about 35 of us left, and some of those people were excused for certain days or times because of long standing appointments. So I was officially a juror in the "pool" and could then be chosen as a juror.

To select the jurors for a certain case.... Both the prosecutor and the defendant's attorney gets 6 excuses, meaning they can excuse up to six jurors. For the court that I am doing, they only select 6 jurors.

The court clerk has one of those old time-y bingo wheels that you turn by hand. Inside the bingo wheel are numbered balls that correspond to a jurors number. When a ball comes out, the clerk reads the number and the name of the juror. The juror then walks to the front of the courtroom, turns to face the other jurors, states their name and occupation, and the name and occupation of their spouse (if applicable).

The prosecutor goes first and either says "seat" or "excuse". If the prosecutor says "seat" then it moves on to the defendant, who also says either "seat" or "excuse". If you are excused at any point, you have to immediately go back to the juror courtroom to wait for the next case. After the prosecutor and defendant agree on the six jurors (and sometimes an alternate), the rest of the jurors are excused and go back to the juror courtroom to wait for the next case. If there are no more cases that day, you get to leave.

Apparently a lot of what we do as jurors is wait. I am not a particularly patient person, but as long as I have a book I am fine. Plus, it gets me out of work, so it can't all be bad.

So far, I have not gotten the luck of the draw. I have not been called up to the front of the courtroom and asked to be seated or excused. But hopefully I will....

Cheerleading Competition....

2010-10-10T17:14:00.020-04:00

On Saturday, C had her second cheerleading competition. This time it was hosted by Chapin, but held at Dutch Fork High.

Once again, B screwed up the time. On Wednesday, she told me that the competition started at 4:00, but the doors would open at 2:00. When I asked her why it was starting so late, she told me that Dutch Fork High was holding the SATs that morning.

So, D and I decided that we would go out to eat before going to the competition (they tend to last 4+ hours). We planned on leaving the house around 2:00, giving us plenty of time to stop by the ATM and eat before the competition started. Well, once again, B sent me at text informing me she was wrong.

At 2:00 when I went to grab my phone, I realized that I had a text from B. In her text she said that the doors opened at 2:00, the competition started at 3:00, and C's squad was scheduled for 4:00. I texted her back stating that we would be there before 3.

On the way to the competition we got fast food (which I didn't really have time to eat), and stopped by the ATM. B texted me a few more times before we got there telling us that the gym was getting crowded (meaning seats were going to be scarce).

Well, D and I got to the school right at 3, so we only missed the first two squads. We had over an hour before C's division went up. I managed to take some video this time.

First up was White Knoll.

Second up was Dutch Fork JV. They did really well considering they had some music problems at the very beginning, which was very nerve racking for them.

Third up was Irmo JV.

Fourth was Lexington JV, the first place team from last week. This week Lexington didn't drop a girl on her face. Much better.

After C's division, we waited around for the awards ceremony. This week Irmo got third place, Dutch Fork got second place (240 points), and Lexington got first place (256 points). I still say that last week's competition was rigged, but Lexington was better than C's squad this week.

After the awards ceremony, D and I took C out for dinner. At the dinner C stated that next week Lexington is going down. She has declared that Dutch Fork JV will get first place next week. We shall see....

As a bonus here is the Dutch Fork varsity squad. If they compete they usually get first....