Force-the-Truth Randi

Chris and I decided to get rid of our storage unit to save the $100 a month it was costing us. So I spent half of my Christmas vacation throwing stuff out, donating and refitting everything into less boxes to take back to Chris's parents shed.

Well, I didn't check what the policy was for moving out of the storage unit. I figured if we out by December 31, we wouldn't be charged for January. No such luck. The owner said we had to give a 10 day notice and I didn't tell him till December 30. And he doesn't pro-rate, so we would have to pay for all of January. But he said that if he rented out our unit in January, he would refund us our money.

Well, we weren't too happy. Chris more upset than I was. But he said ours was the only unit like it that would be open, so I figured it would rent out soon.

Fast-forward a week. The storage unit is down the street we live on. We pass it frequently. And we can see our unit from the street. Last Saturday I drove buy and saw someone moving into our unit! I wasn't 100% sure because I wasn't paying attention. I thought the owner would call us soon. But a week went buy and nothing.

Then my mom drove buy this Saturday and saw it again. So I figured either Chris or I had to call. I tried to call Chris to get him to do it because I can't really handle that stress much. But I couldn't get a hold of him.

So it was left up to me. I called and this was our conversation, after introducing myself.

ME: "Have you rented out our storage unit yet?"
HIM: "I have someone who is interested and if they come in I will refund you."
ME: "Okay, but I have seen someone moving into our unit this week and last week, so...what about that?"
HIM: "I don't remember; I'll have to check."

He calls back 10 minutes later.

HIM: "It has been rented out. I forgot because the lady originally rented another unit and her truck wouldn't fit into that side of the unit and so I moved her. I'll send you $70."

Now, I don't want to say that he lied. But, our unit was the only one left like it. And why would you build a storage unit where a truck wouldn't be able to fit into part of it (since most people probably bring trucks there) and I saw the truck, it was an F-150.

Moral of the Story: There may be liars out there, but I can stop them. Even if I have to deal with anxiety afterwards.

2010 Books

Instead of entering all these in on GoodReads right now, I am just going to post them here.

I read/listened to 22 total books last year. (Not including a few repeats like The Hunger Games and Harry Potter) Well under my goal. 35 is the new number this year.

Queen of Babble, Meg Cabot

Shades of Grey, Jasper Fforde

Animal Farm, George Orwell

Queen of Babble in the Big City, Meg Cabot

Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut

The Van Alan Legacy, Melissa da la Cruz

One Second After, William R. Forstchen

The Children of Men, P.D. James

Thursday Next: First Among Sequels, Jasper Fforde

Something Borrowed, Emily Giffin

Something Blue, Emily Giffin

Queen of Babble Gets Hitched, Meg Cabot

Baby Proof, Emily Giffin

The First Days of School, Harry K Wong

The Motivation Breakthrough, Robert Lavoie

The Ghost, Robert Harris

Getting Started with English Language Learners, Judie Haynes

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, Seth Grahame-Smith

Wayside School is Falling Down, Louis Sachar

Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins

A Great and Terrible Beauty, Libba Bray

Rebel Angels, Libba Bray

This year I would like to read Jane Eyre, Matched, the new Jasper Fforde book that comes out in March, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Teach Like Your Hair is on Fire, and about 30 more. I'll just have to find them as I go throughout the year. 

A Good Week

Sometimes there are moments during teaching when I wonder what the heck I am doing. I second doubt my decision to become a teacher and wonder if I can really do it. I am sure that happens to all new teachers in their first couple of years.

But then there are the days when I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be and everything (well, almost everything) runs exactly to plan.

I had three good days of school this week (out of three days of school.) I was more patient, more firm, more consistent and may have used some bribes. But everything equaled a better school day for me and my students. (Hopefully I am not jinxing myself with this post.)

There are 95 school days until summer vacation. I can make it.

Resolution Time Again

I am big on resolutions. I know some people think they are pointless, but I really like trying to set them. I know I always set too much. But this way, I can weed out the ones I don't really want to do, or change my mind about.

Here is my list:

1. Run a mile in under 10 minutes
2. Work out 3 times a week and lose 15 pounds
3. Spend 1 hour a week on family history
4. Read/Listen to 35 books
5. Have all my students pass the TAKS test (or at least 85% in each group)
6. Try 52 new recipes and take 52 good photographs

Look, I narrowed it down to 6! With only a little cheating. 

Hello

Now that I am done with my other blog, this one will get more time. (The other blog will only be public for a few more days. If you would like to see it, hurry and get over there.

Here is my return.

Remember, poor people are people too. And they have children.

Christmas Time

For my December scripture study I am reading past First Presidency devotionals. This one was from President Monson in 2009.

"My brothers and sisters, finding the real joy of the season comes not in the hurrying and the scurrying to get more done or in the purchasing of obligatory gifts. Real joy comes as we show the love and compassion inspired by the Savior of the World, who said, 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these ... ye have done it unto me.'" Dec 2009


If you get chance, read the whole talk and then cry like a baby like I did. Some people just remind you what it means to be compassionate. 

1 Week

Yes, I have noticed that I have one week left of my youth left until my body starts to decay. (According to Charleah anyways.) I have dreaded this day for a year and it is finally upon me.

What will I be doing to celebrate my last week?

Working. And then working. Not eating sweets. Grading Papers. Listening to Christmas music.

Hopefully I can get some sleep in there somewhere. Just joking. I might be busy, but like I'll sacrifice my sleep.

A Commitment

Hello Internet. I have made a decision that I need to be held accountable for somehow. This is one option I am trying.

I am going to eat no sweets until Christmas break.  (Minus my birthday on December 8 and our class Christmas party on the last day of school for the semester.)

This will possible make up for my eating habits the last few months and no running. And I will try to start running again. Getting sick totally throws off my groove. It should be easier now that Chris is training for a marathon.

So no more of these

I can do it!

Pictures

Sometimes my students make me laugh. While grading a timeline of events, I saw these pictures depicting the French and Indian War.

Come What May and Love It

The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.


Joseph B Wirthlin