Random update

My official diploma arrived today and whew does that feel good.

Mallory had her first official hair cut today. Yes, she is three and a half, but it took her almost two and a half to get enough hair to actually pull it back. She is such a doll with curls.

After my freshman year of high school, we had an exchange student from Japan stay with us for five weeks. The following summer, 1990, I went to Japan to stay with her family for five weeks. In 1995, my "sister" and her mother came to our wedding. Now it's time, possibly, to travel there for her wedding. She sent a note that arrived today with the June 22nd wedding date. I want very badly to go, but we'll have to see how much it is and who can go with me. This situation caused me to remember how long ago I was in Japan. Holy crap, it was 18 years ago!!! I'm old. I remember it like it was yesterday and I also kept a journal while I was there. Can I find said journal, nope, but now I'm on a mission. Does anyone out there, the three people who read this, have frequent flier miles they would be willing to give to me?

Work is very good except for a spilled coffee on new books incident that occurred yesterday. It was an accident and the person who did it really felt bad, I think. However, 12 books are ruined and that amounts to about $200 dollars at least. Very frustrated with that, but it will all work out.

LOL,
CDR

Ahh, those were the days

Yesterday, I didn't have school and I decided to take a road trip to my old school. They had an inservice and I thought I would surprise them. Mallory went with me and they were very happy to see us. I thought that I would be more upset at having left there, but it turns out I wasn't upset at all. The teachers were working on various projects and discussing things, many were upset about some things that are going on. (The same things they have always been upset about, but refuse to offer up any sollutions and continue to blame everyone else.)

Anywho, I thought to myself, I sure don't miss that. I'm super busy at my new job, just in a different way. I was also suprised to see what a mess the library was. My mentor and friend would NEVER have let things look like this and it's so sad to know that the students have to put up with this. It's also sad to know how little the teachers, not all of them, respect the library. It's awful how bad it is and how disrespectful certain people can be there. I had to leave the room.

It clicked with me that, although I miss my friends there greatly, I made the right decision. I am very happy doing what I'm doing and the staff where I am now, respect me AND the position. They know that I am very passionate about what I do and they seek me and my advice on things. I was a part of wonderful staff, but that is the past and now I really think that I am officially ready to move on. The future can only tell what might happen at my old school and I hope the administration decides to bring back in a certified media specialist, but I'm not sure I would want that position. I guess my epiphany finally happened.

LOL,
CDR

Where in the heck have I been?

Whew, it's been a long time. I hope all is well with everyone and that you had a stupendous Christmas and New Year.

We made a Gingerbread train and house this year. Check out the digs.


We had two Christmas celebrations with Rodd's family, parts I and II. Pretty much, we did Christmas Eve here with them with this huge meal that Rodd and I made. We opened most of the presents that day with them as well. We packed up the left overs for R's parents to take home. We were able to celebrate Christmas here Christmas morning and it was so much fun. Mallory received many new books, clothes, and Play Doh.

Christmas morning was a hoot. Mallory didn't even notice the presents for almost an hour after she was up. We had to point them out.

We were having so much fun, but we had to pack up and go over to Rodd's parent's house for Christmas Lunch, hence the part II. We ate the food that Rodd and I cooked the day before. Why you ask, did we have Christmas part II? We don't know either, but we do know that we won't have this happen next year.

Anywho, we were also able to spend a few days with my parents which was so much fun. Mallory had some firsts, first snowmobile ride and first sledding on the big hill. Check out that smile, she didn't like it at all.

My three brothers, my sister-in-law, and myself took over the hill. The kids were sitting on top waiting for sleds. It was like the bullies had one the hill. I haven't had that much fun since I was their age. Mallory lucked out because she could go alone or with me. This was our first trip to my parents since Labor Day due to Mallory's fall illnesses. I hadn't seen my dad or brothers in almost four months. It was so great to be with them for several days.

For the new year, we spent time with our bestest friends who moved to Allendale not too long ago. We were able to experience the Wii for the first time. We couldn't figure out why Rodd's shoulders hurt afterwards. We decided that the Wii was just too much exercise. (hee, hee)

Keep in touch this year and when are we getting together? Send out some dates randcroesch@comcast.net

LOL,

CDR