Week 4...

Okay, I really need to be cleaning my apartment; but I just don't feel like it right now.  Instead I figured I would sit down and update the old blog!  It has been four weeks.  Four weeks since my family lost the best dog in the world.

To answer your next question, yes.  It is still a daily struggle for me.  Half the time, I think that he is still alive and healthy and that I will see him at Thanksgiving.  I have even had dreams about him still being alive.  They are really good dreams.  But then the waking up part happens and I am sad all over again.  Things have been a little easier now that work is in full swing.  I have been massively busy, and stressed, so I have been able to make it through the day.  So, even though it doesn't seem like it should, life continues to go on.

Speaking of work, the whole steps and lanes agreement isn't during out as quite as great as people thought.  We are still getting our steps and lanes, but it won't be as retroactive as we were first told.  Teachers on traditional track with get back-pay from September.  So, really, we will only get one month of back-pay.  Other teachers are upset because there will be no cost of living increase.  So, if you are teacher who has been in the district for awhile the agreement doesn't help.  Those teachers have already reached the top step and will never go any higher unless there are COLA increases.  There really should be every year.  Life will never get any cheaper.  Costs continue to rise quickly.  Yet, if the salary isn't adjusted then people will always suffer and struggle.  We will see what lies in the future for this school district.

I think my family is doing well.  They all seem very busy.  I know that they are still trying to establish new routines now that Kody is gone.  I only talk to them once a week and half the time they forget to tell me things that are going on.  So I have to find out about them on Facebook.  Thanks for telling me about your trip to the Grand Canyon, next month, guys!  I love you too!  ;)  

I am still counting down the days until Thanksgiving.  I am trying to plan when I want to leave.  We get an extra day off this year and I am planning on driving.  It is cheaper and the roads shouldn't be too bad at that time (not like they might be at Christmas).  So, the question is:  do I leave after work on Tuesday, or do I leave Wednesday morning?  If I leave on Tuesday I can either drive straight there (which I did last year--even though it was exhausting!), or I can try to stay at a hotel in St. George (which is more money).  Many things to consider.  We will see how I feel in November, I guess.  Until then, I am trying to get things ready for my Dad's 50th birthday, and then my Mom's *un-numbered, because I think she would kill me if I posted her age online* birthday the following month.  Then there will be Christmas to prepare for after that.  Lots to do!

Well, I'd better get cleaning.  If I keep putting it off, it will only get worse!  I am sending love and prayers your way!  Take care!