The Waiting Game...

Josh and I put in an offer on some land that we like. Okay, there's no use trying to hide it...land that we LOVE. We are both trying SO hard not to get too excited because we pretty much expect our offer to be rejected, but there is always that tiny glimmer of hope, right? We are now playing the waiting game...

I did better than I thought I would!

I've never...

Sometimes I think that you can learn a lot about a person by things they haven't done, rather than the things they have done...

Here are a few of my "nevers"...

• I've never...belonged to a gym, although I'd love to meet with a personal trainer someday.
• I've never...dyed my hair. That's too high maintenance for me.
• I've never...eaten Lucky Charms. (Yes, Holly, I hear your gasp.) I'm more of a Cheerios kind of gal.
• I've never...ran more than 13.1 miles at one time...and to be honest, I don't know if I want to.
• I've never...broken a bone. I hope I never do. I've just had a few bad sprains.
• I've never...tried any kind of drugs. Never had an interest in that sort of thing.
• I've never...been on a cruise, or visited NY, California, the NW coast, Australia, or Spain...or any of the other places on a long list that I'd LOVE to visit someday.
• I've never...been canoeing in the boundary waters. I'd like to someday.
• I've never...been fired from a job.
• I've never...liked scary movies. I'm a big chicken.
• I've never...been good at keeping plants alive. It sucks! I love plants, but I just need my grandma's green thumb.
• I've never...had fake acrylic nails put on. When I was about 14 I decided I wanted real, long nails and stopped biting them.
  
• I've never...been wakeboarding or surfing. I want to try both.
• I've never...been good at designing anything that goes into a house...carpet, curtains, you name it.
• I've never...sent a text message. I'm not sure if I'll convert to the texting revolution.
• I've never...liked yogurt. It's the texture.
• I've never...liked sleeping on lots of pillows. Mine is flat like a pancake.
• I've never...been good at confrontation.
  
• I've never...loved like I love now.
  

Belated Copycat

I know that August is 1/3 over with already, but if anyone is interested in what the Stewart's are/have been up to...read on.

August
1: Family Reunion
2: New swing-set delivery, thanks to grandpa/dad!
3, 4, 5, 6, 7: Grad class, volleyball league, Dad's birthday
8: Birthday gathering for dad
9: Baby shower
10, 11: Grad class
12: Dentist, volleyball league, work at school since I have a class on the 20th
13: Hang with the kiddos while Josh is golfing
14: Grad paper due
15/16: Hopefully something fun with Josh and the kids
17: Josh has to work
18: Work at school
19: Orientation for masters program, VB league, Josh works again
20: Moodle training (so I won't be at South when the ING people come)
25: Cookie Lee Party--invitations soon to follow...
21-24, 26-30: yet to be determined. I am sure there will be some time spent at school putting away science supplies I didn't get to in June, hopefully a date with Josh in there somewhere and lots of time spent outside on the swing-set with the kids.
31: I really don't want to talk about it right now...

Land!

Josh is constantly on the computer looking at houses and land. Our hope is to sell our house next spring and move. I sometimes hate looking so early like this because then I want something different, and I want it now! So, the other day, we ended up driving around looking at houses and lots and found some land that we REALLY like, and of course, just like I was worried about, I am very excited and attached. We would love to build a house, but don't know if we can afford to build what we want along with the price of a lot. As much as I am trying not to think about it, that is all I can think about.

Creepy Guy At the Park

I wanted to get out of the house, so Joslynn and I went to the park this morning. She LOVES the park and we get to be outside and so I thought it was a great idea. I hadn't been to the St. Cloud Rotary Park for over a year, so I thought I would go there and check it out again because it has the splash park and I wasn't sure of the hours, so I thought I can check out the details while we go there to play.

We got there at like 10:15 and we were the only ones in the entire park. It was really nice and peaceful. The weather was beautiful, so I am surprised we were the only ones, but it is Sunday morning. For those of you who are unfamiliar: in the park, there is a big sand-box area that houses all of the playground equipment, then there is the little splash pool fenced in behind that, and even behind the pool there are some nice indoor bathroom facilities. Surrounding the park are some fields and tennis courts, so it is quite spacious.

We were having a nice time together on the swings when I noticed a man walking across the field. I didn't think too much of it, since it is a public park. As he came near the bathrooms, behind the pool, I noticed him again, but thought that maybe he was just there to use the bathroom. Initially, my instincts put me on high alert. He just gave me the "creeper" vibe. I was purely judging on appearance so I internally scolded myself because I do try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but there was just something about this man, alone in a park, that made me feel uneasy.

I continued to push Joslynn on the swing as I watched this guy like a hawk. He circled the exterior of the bathrooms about 8 times, stopping briefly each time to look our way. He then slowly walked around the pool toward the playground area. He stopped by a garbage can, which from my view was also perfectly in line behind a tree, so it made the whole situation feel even creepier; it was like he was hiding from us for a moment. He proceeded once more to come around the perimeter of the playground area, almost coming in behind us now. I really had butterflies in my stomach at this point.

I was carrying a little bag with us that had a diaper, wipes, water for Joslynn, but I had also put my keys and phone in there. I started to go into "getaway" mode and thought to myself, 'If I really had to get away fast, I would be fumbling around in the bag for the keys', so I grabbed it and put the keys and phone in my pocket; the rest is easily replacable if we need to leave the bag behind.

As this creepy man stood and watched us for about 20-30 seconds, a million things were racing through my head. I was secretly planning our escape route. I was also thinking that I'd really like to say, "What the hell are you looking at?" But my better judgement told me not to provoke anything. After a LONG 30 seconds, he turned away and eerily meandered his way out of the park. The hairs on the back of my neck could relax...a little bit. For the rest of the time that we were there, I felt paranoid; I was constantly looking over my shoulder.

Now, I feel somewhat guilty because I have no idea if I were rightfully judging this man or not. He may have been homeless. He may have been bored and was just wandering around. He may have had some kind of disability and didn't realize that his behavior was throwing up huge red flags to me. On the other hand, I won't ever apologize for going into "mama bear" mode to protect myself and my child. I hate the fact that we live in a city...in a world, where I have to worry about things like the creepy guy at the park.

Anyone Got $1400 Layin' Around?

Here's the story...

I'm starting my Masters in the fall. As part of a requirement of the program, I have to take 6 elective credits. My plan is to take these 6 credits in August so that they are finished before I start my program.

I spent the better part of 2 days filling out all of the nauseatingly boring and repetitive paperwork for MN GI Bill, Post 9/11 GI Bill, and my FAFSA for Federal Aid so that I can somewhat afford to continue my education. After all of the reading, research and filling out forms I was pretty confident that my going back to school wouldn't be THAT much of a financial burden on us. I couldn't have been more wrong.

I got an email today saying that my 6 summer credits wouldn't be covered by the VA because they are for "continuing education" and not "degree seeking." I was shocked and really mad at the same time! How am I supposed to get my degree without these 6 credits that ARE A REQUIREMENT!?

So instead of thinking that I would only need to pay for about $450, I will now have to pay $1400. Aggghhhhh! I hate all of this paperwork/money/government b.s.