I haven't run away or been abducted.... just been busy or too tired to get online. Or Alex has been on the computer (the wireless thingy for my laptop isn't working and I don't feel like plugging in because it would mean coming in the den while Alex is on the computer and being forced to listen to his music, blah blah blah). Anyhow, all is well. You know, in case anyone was wondering.

Also, wanted to let y'all know the job is going well. I work as a lunch lady, but I don't work for the school district. I work for a "catering company" that specializes in school cafeteria work. None of that matters a heck of a lot, just useless information that might come in handy someday.  Anyhow, there are four of us in the kitchen. The head cook/ kitchen manager, me, and one other full time cook and a part timer. The other full time cook is also brand spanking new to this job, but she's experienced in doing school lunches. Me and the head cook think she used to be the head cook at one of the schools she worked at... at least that's the impression she gives off when she talks. It is NOT the impression she gives off from her work. Okay, in her defense, she had a stroke a while ago... but she zones off, doesn't grasp simple instructions and gets in the way most of the time. Don't want to be too much of a bitch about it, but seriously... there's a job to do and she isn't pulling her weight. Or anyone's weight... not even that of a baby! She's a very nice lady... but work is work, y'know?

It's a middle school - 4th, 5th, 6th graders. Relatively small... approximately 250 students, I think there's like 12 teachers. All adults are referred to as "Miss" or "Mister" followed by either their first or last name. I have never seen so many kids so well behaved! Absolutely no talking at breakfast, no horseplay at lunch... amazing.

Okay... other things. Today was a beautiful day. Almost perfect. However, that doesn't change the fact that this is probably going to go on record as the hottest August in St Louis history. Seven days over 100 degrees, most others over 90. A storm went through yesterday afternoon, and although we didn't get it nearly as bad here in my area as it was other places in the metro area, we lost power for a couple hours... but it cooled the air down. Last night was HUMID though. I had already decided that this morning, providing it wasn't raining and the weather man was right and it only got in the 80s today, I was going to do some work outside. So I did.

I mowed the front and back yards. Then I got ambitious and started to clean out the back shed. I had most of it done when Bryan came outside to help... he moved a table in the shed and there was a rat carcass! It was HUGE! We're talking at least 8" nose to butt... and pretty well decayed. Gross. Got over that, and now the only thing left for cleaning it is the "attic"... two areas in the rafters. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe not, lol... depends on how I'm feeling.

Now for an "I told you so..." moment. Seems the sister's boy toy stole from her. Hmm. Imagine that. Invite a relative stranger into your home and you get things stolen.  Anyway, she needed help kicking him out... he was gone by the time we got there - she called Cousin to come help and he called the cops, but by the time they got there, the boy was gone. In the 'passing the blame game', she wants to blame the boy's ex-girlfriend (whom he's obviously seeing again) for his thievery. Whatever. Thankfully, nothing of great value was taken. Including things we had stored in the garage as well as other things out there.

I went over there last night with Bryan, thinking she'd be at work and I wouldn't have to see her. She hadn't left yet, and even after she did go she was back minutes later. Yay. I only went over because their brother was coming up and I wanted to see him as well as get a couple things I'd forgotten. Anyway, she's made some changes... but what I find incredible is that some of the changes are things I had suggested; things she wanted no part of while we were there. Again, whatever. Other changes are just... bizarre. A bead curtain of a smiley face in front of a door? Hello! The 60's and 70s are long gone and there are just some trends that were so stupid then they're not coming back in vogue.

While I was looking through some boxes in the garage to see if there was anything I wanted to bring over here and use, I found a knick-knack I've had since I was 4 years old and just couldn't find before. I thought in my rush to pack up and get out I'd somehow just forgotten to pack it... or that it had been something that got broken and lost when a tote flew off the trailer while we were moving from the boondocks to the city. It made my heart sad whenever I thought of not having it. Not because it's worth any money... just because it has huge sentimental value (my Grandpa and I found it on one of our walks) and the fact that I've had it for 42 years! Anyway, it's now in my china cabinet. Yay.

And on the "kid" front... the boy is still insisting he wants to move back to Michigan. He'll be 18 at the end of November; I won't be able to stop him from doing what he wants then. We've tried explaining to him why he needs to be here, with me... doesn't make a dent. All his moping and whining and sullenness is taking it's toll on me... I'm almost ready to give in and let him go back in October, after the first quarter is done here. Almost, but not quite. He is just so dead-set on going back that he's not giving anyone or anything enough of a chance; he's out to some concert thing tonight with some friends, so maybe it'll make a difference. For the good. There will be girls, lol... and if he was to meet some girl he likes, he wouldn't be so much in a hurry to leave. Let's cross our fingers, lol.

As you may  have noticed, I've posted pictures of the house before and after... after the painting anyhow. I've also posted the pictures of the mess that was under the sink... there were buckets under there, too. I'll post before and after of other rooms in the house after I take some since we've moved in.

Y'all have a good COOL day... I'll try to get around and catch up ASAP.

Hi. We're back.

We're all moved in (well, there's still some stuff in the garage at his dad's house, but that's all mostly stuff we've had in storage since last September so it doesn't really count, right?). We moved in on the fifth, which was also the first day of the extensive heat warning we've been under since. Yeah, that was fun. That was a Sunday and by the following Thursday I pretty much had everything unpacked and put away, pictures up on the walls, blah blah blah. We're all very happy with the house.

I start a job next Monday. Yay. I'll be a lunch lady. Love the hours, the days, the fact that I'll get summers off WITH PAY (okay, unemployment, anyhow) and...AND... Christmas Break is also paid. So.. yay. It's going to be at an elementary school in a not-so-great school district, but since I'll be working during the daylight hours, not gonna sweat it at all. Don't think I'll be doing any actual cooking at first, but that's fine and dandy.

Let's see... what else. Oh... yeah. Alex hates his school and wants to move back to Michigan. He's already asked his best friends' parents if he can move in with them and the ass-holes said yes. Piss me off. Anyhow, I'm holding off agreement to this until he's had time to settle in better. He says he loves living here with us, really really likes Bryan, but hates the school and misses his friends. He's worried that I'll hate him or disown him because he wants to move back there... as if. He said it would be great if we could pack up the entire house and move it and our lives up to Michigan. Um...no. Like I told my dad the other day, if I move out of state again it's going to be south. I do not want to move back to Michigan. So, just when it seems like it should be getting better, a wrench is thrown into the mix. Yay.

Hmm...  well, to point out the obvious: we have internet again. A week later than they promised us, but better late than not at all.

Um...  gee. Not a whole lot more to relate. Missed y'all, glad to be back. I'll be surfing later to catch up on the goings on of everyone.

THE HOUSE PASSED INSPECTION!

Yay! There's a 120 day conditional occupancy, but we can move in, and the stuff that has to be done in those 120 days is stuff we planned on doing after we moved in anyway.

So, the move is this weekend. This most likely means there will be no internet for a few weeks, but I can live with it. WE GET TO MOVE!!!

Whew. All our hard work paid off. The house looks so much better now it's unbelievable; can't wait to see how it looks when our stuff is in it. Okay, the living room furniture is going to look dirty (because it is, duh), but still... I'm excited.

I'm NOT excited about the actual moving. Only a moron would be thrilled about that. I wish I could twitch my nose and have it all done. It's not the moving of the furniture that's the drag, it's the packing up of all the little things, then unpacking it all. And dammit... I just did this!

Anyway.... I wish I had more energy, lol. I seem to have used most of it up already and you know, when you get to be my age you only have so much to pull from. Thankfully, Alex is still young and has a lot more.

Y'all have a good day. Might get one more posted before I disappear for a while.