The check's in the mail

I sent in the check to begin my homestudy... I'm really one my way. This was actually a pretty easy step, basically because I have no idea what is next. I'm just sitting around trying to figure out what to do next. Natually, I decided to shop. When all else fails... shopping is a good choice.

Of course, because I'm desperately trying to be frugal with my money, I decided the best thing to do is to create some shopping rules. Since I've got at least a year and half until my daughter is home and the whole money thing... the first rule is that anything I purchase has to be under $3. Shopping is much more interesting when searching out bargains anyways. So far, I've purchased a stuffed frog. It was $1.99 and really soft. It's now sitting in potential nursery with a bunny I made last Easter and my fox. The fox is a puppet I was given on my 9th birthday. I don't have a lot of things from my childhood because of a disasterous Christmas fire, but the fox survived. It's somewhat ragged, but a lot of fun! I also have a white seal (I stole it back from my sister) named "sealy" (weren't we creative?), a snoopy dog and a teddy bear I got in college. If only snoopy's wardrobe had survived...

I also bought a book, of course... I am a teacher, so you know that was a given. I bought it before I made the rule about price limits and I would have broke it anyways. There's no way I could turn down a WSU indoctrination tool! The book is too cute! Photos of all the notable places and a section devoted to football (along with other sports) and a place to put baby's photo with their listed WSU graduation date. The printing company makes them for about 40 universities - the ones with the more, shall we say, committed alumni. The kind that fill half their football stadiums with season ticket holders and sell college sweatshirts to 70 year olds. Yeah, that's us. WSU graduates (Cougs) are able to rattle off their college fight songs at will even 50 years after graduation. One of the best things about my current teaching job is that the school has the same colors as WSU. Minimum change in wardrobes.

In the meantime, I need to start researching what insurance I actually do have - disability, etc. and what life insurance I have and keep saving money. I guess I'm just afraid that some one will come along and figure out that teachers are very lowly paid and that it's not enough.

I've got to stop

...reading the rumor blogs. They're just depressing at times.

In the meantime, I've decided that I can't purchase anything for the baby that is priced over $2. I figure it will keep me from going crazy and give me something to do. I love bargain shopping! Actually, I just love shopping and it's a really hard habit to break. So, the $2 limit is probably a really good thing for me.

I bought a ceramic birdhouse (it's really cute!), a stuffed frog and some plastic plug covers and drawer pull stopper-thingys. They'll all last for the next two years.

Paperwork

Today I got my first large envelop. I'm sure it's the first among many... full of forms to fill out and instructions to move to the next step. Each day brings me closer to motherhood. Kinda scary when sitting and thinking about it. The idea of the responsibility is awesome to think about, so I try not to think to far ahead. It's almost overwhelming when the whole picture is spread out. At the same time, just thinking about so many happy moments to come lifts the spirit to such heights! It's like riding a see-saw. One minute I'm up, the next, I'm down.

So for today, fill out these papers, write these checks and worry about tomorrow when it comes.

I Got A Spot!

I did get the 2007 spot! My application is in the process of being approved by the central office and I'm on my way!

There still isn't any real news on what is going on with China for the coming year, so I guess we just keep trucking on until something different happens. In the meantime, the new school year has started. If ever there was an all consuming distraction, that is it!