21 February 2009

Week in Review

Another week has flown by. Here are a few of the highlights or stresslights:
  • James hasn't felt well this week. The almost-nurse in the house hasn't quite diagnosed himself, but is worried he might have bronchitis, the flu, or a terrible chest cold. The non-nurse in the house thinks that if he is sick one more day, he needs to visit the doctor.
  • I am a little stressed about my job future. Remember I took at 1-year position at Murray High? Well, the person who I replaced can't quite figure out whether she is going to return or not. She has until March 1st to decide. In the meantime, I have been preparing applications, letters of recommendation, etc. to apply elsewhere. The good news is that I teach math and there is a huge shortage of math teachers. The bad news is that we are in scary economic times with legislative cuts and 1) if I do get to keep my job at Murray, but the budget and dropping enrollment means we have to let a math teacher go, I'd be it and 2) other districts will likely not be in a hurry to hire this year and I might have to just wait things out and that really stresses me out. I have faith that things will work out, though.
  • James talked to some army recruiters this week and had thoughts of joining up active duty after he graduates. There are a lot of benefits to joining up active duty in a medical officer slot, but that also means we would be leaving Utah and headed to the middle of Texas or somewhere for three years. I'm not so sure what I think about that.
  • I need to start a Master's Degree program and I think I finally found one through USU that I can do online and actually interests me. Thanks mom, for helping me to feel confident about these decisions. There are still some bugs to work out before I apply, but I have started the process.
  • Willie's junior high b-ball team is a little off beat. Willie is improving every game and really starting to show some sweet skills. He was even excited to report that on Thursday's announcements at school, he was the "defensive player of the game." Way to go Willie! I don't have total faith in his coach, they've lost a few, and I worry that my dad will have a massive heart attack at a basketball game before Willie graduates from high school, but otherwise, it's been a fun season.
  • I need to go get in the shower. Annie is bringing Elliott over today and I get to tend him all day!!! I love him! I am excited to be an aunt again in May!

16 February 2009

"Rules for Living"


Since Grandma Petersen passed away and my dad and his siblings went through her house, I have had a couple of boxes of things sitting on my bedroom floor. They were things I wanted to keep from Grandma's house, but have since just let sit on the floor. Since I had the day off today, I thought I would go through the boxes and try to put some things away. I came across a "Dear Abby" column that my Grandma had saved. It lists the "Rules for Living," by President James A. Garfield. I thought I would share them:

-Never be idle.
-Make few promises.
-Always speak the truth.
-Live within your income.
-Never speak evil of anyone.
-Keep good company or none.
-Live up to your engagements.
-Never play games of chance.
-Drink no intoxicating drinks.
-Good character is above everything else.
-Keep your own secrets if you have any.
-Never borrow if you can possibly help it.
-Do not marry until you are able to support a wife.
-When you speak to a person, look into his eyes.
-Save when you are young and spend when you are old.
-Never run into debt unless you can see a way out again.
-Good company and good conversation are the sinews of virtue.
-Your character cannot be essentially injured except by your own acts.
-If anybody speaks evil of you, let your life be so that no one believes him.
-When you retire at night think over what you have done during the day.
-If your hands cannot be employed usefully, attend to the culture of your mind.
-Read the above carefully and thoughtfully at least once a week.