1. Something you’re working on currently? 

Grading/interacting with my online courses. I was originally going to observe a professor on campus today but then I realized that, with going out of town Thursday evening until Sunday, I have no time to be doing extra. So I am starting now (6:30) on the work I have to do today. If I had gone, I would have to leave by 10:45, then I probably would not be back until 12:30/1 and that’s just a lot of time I’d be giving up.

2. Tell us something about your first job? Was it a positive or negative experience for you? Did your parents insist you work while in school (either high school or college) or did you work because you wanted to? 

If you don’t count babysitting, it was working at a summer camp. I think it was a positive for me, because I honestly was kind of a weird shy person and it brought me out of my shell. I remember the director, who I already knew because the camp was at my mom’s private school, thought I wasn’t smiling enough so she shadowed me one day and when she saw the kids loved me, she finally left me alone. But for a while, she pestered me all the time. No one really liked her; I remember going to an end of camp party at a friend’s up the road and these two brothers, who taught PE at the school normally, brought guitars and sang a song to her: “The Judy Moody Blues.”

I did not have to work, no. I wanted to do that. I briefly worked in college but since I didn’t have to, it was no pressure for me. I worked again when I graduated.

3. Have you ever had a job that required overnight travel? How did you feel about that? Have you ever had a job that required you to wear a uniform? Do you work better in the morning or at night? 

No, and I am glad! I did recently interview for one that would have me travel 4 times a year and I dreaded getting the call that they wanted to hire me. My husband travels about three times a year and it’s always a pain. Uniform? Not really, unless you consider the red shirt I wore at CompUSA or the camp t-shirt. Otherwise, just casual or business casual. I definitely work better in the morning! Hence, early blogging. I told my 2-3:15 class yesterday that everyone seemed rather chipper but I was on the cusp of my “need a nap” time!

4. What’s something you bake or cook that is labor intensive? Is it worth it? 

Thanksgiving! And I make the actual meal 3-4 times a year. It’s involved because I am pretty much doing it by myself: get the turkey thawed, then stuff it full of sage butter, onion, and lemon, get it in the oven. Then at some point during that I make Martha Stewart’s mac and cheese, a pot of mashed potatoes, and southern green beans, along with cornbread. I’d definitely say it is worth it; it’s my husband’s favorite!

5. One thing you’re looking forward to in the month of September? 

Hmm, I can’t pinpoint one thing but I guess Isaac’s soccer games and football season – both are upon us. He begins his season with a tournament in Dothan but then has games pretty much every Saturday until October 12th. He has his second tournament at the end of the month too, but thankfully, it isn’t on the same weekend as anything else – like the first one! It’s only about a 35 minute drive instead of nearly two hours.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Yeah, somehow the first soccer tournament of the season happened to fall on a weekend we are out of town for a beer festival. Oh, AND it is the first weekend of NFL. Sigh. We’re making it work though. Taking two cars to Pensacola, then Isaac and I will diverge to the tourney, Ash and Koda will go home. Ell will stay home to work. He’s not exactly happy he has to drive my car but it’s better for in-town driving. Here’s how much he hates my Element: he said he’s riding the bus to school on Friday instead of driving it. We’ll see; he’s just reactive in the moment.

I’m planning to get a lot done today and thankfully, I am feeling motivated. Yesterday was tough; I just felt so out of it. It was definitely weird. I am hoping to feel accomplished today, especially after I take my daughter to practice and get my own run in.