Home Sick

I am not sick for home, but I am home sick. I hate being sick. I know that probably surprises most people because I know everybody loves to be sick. (Being Sarcastic) I would way rather be at work. Of course, I do love my job. I haven't been able to say that for a really long time. The last job I had that I really loved was teaching in Japan. It was a very busy and hectic lifestyle. I would take the train from location to location where I would teach. Many times I would teach the same lesson eigteen times a week to eighteen different classes. The hardest part was keeping the lessons fresh every time I taught it. It was a new lesson for the kids, but for me it kind of got boring. Since I have been home in the States, I refuse to play Uno or any other of the games I played over and over and over and over and then one more time in Japan. The fun part about being there was that everyone was always so glad to see me. My classes were glad to see me, and my family was really glad to see me when I came home to visit. It kind of felt like I was a star. I couldn't go anywear without coming across someone who recognized me. Even when I traveled out of the country, I ran into different students at international airports across the globe. People gave me gifts all the time, took me out to dinner and treated me special.

Of course the money wasn't too bad either. I got paid in cash every month. I budgeted by laying the money in piles. I had a pile for electric, phone, and other monthly expences. There was a pile of money to send home and then the pile left over was my fun money. If I was going out on the town, I would grab a bill equal to about a hundred U.S. dollars and spend almost all of it that night. When I think of that now, I cannot believe how much money I spent on having fun. I wouldn't even dream of that now. Well I guess I would dream of it, but I wouldn't do it. That was back in the day when a flight for a thousand dollars seemed cheap and something I didn't want to pass up. I didn't think anything of hopping a train to Tokyo to visit some friends and travel around. Eating out every meal seemed pretty normal, and I didn't have much groceries in the house. If I did, they rotted very quickly anyway.

So, now I do love my job. I don't feel so much like a star anymore, but my neice Grace makes me feel pretty special. She pretty much jumps for joy every time she sees me. Even though she is a walking germ factory, I am glad to see her too. Kids her age are so brutely honest that I know she really thinks I am a great being. The other morning I was laughing and tickeling her in my bed. She got a whiff of my breath and said, "That Stinks!". She plugged her nose and tried to get away from the offencive smell. I love her.

Bob's Red Mill

Almost every Saturday morning, my mom and dad have breakfast at Bob's Red Mill. My parents will sometimes also go during the week and often... very very often invite me. I rarely go, but I do enjoy it once in awhile. They serve fresh whole grain foods like grits, oatmeal, biscuits, toast, and a variety of other foods.

My favorite is the french toast which I lather with freezer jam. Before I started eating gluten again, I would buy my gluten free breads and mixes at Bob's Red Mill because they were one of the few places I could find such a wide variety.


After Mom and Dad eat, they will read the paper, do some puzzles or read. I like to walk around and look at the water features including a real water wheel and a fountain built using an old grinding stone. If you are lucky, you can see the geese that hang around there. They have their little babies with them at this time of the year, and we got to see them today and also a couple of mallard ducks.


Another lucky sighting is to see Bob (owner) and his wife eating breakfast with some friends. You will know he is there when you see one of his really old black Ford cars parked in the parking lot. Bob looks exactly like the picture of him at this link. We have been going there for years, and I don't think Bob has aged a bit. He always looks exactly the same.

TOMATOES!!!

I planted these tomatoes on Sunday. There are three different varieties in case one or two of them don't have a good year. I love fresh grown tomatoes and can't wait for them to grow. This weekend I plan to get some cages to put around them and some tomatoe firtalizer.

What is everybody else growing this summer?

Maya Angelo

"If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love. Don't be surly at home, then go out in the street and start grinning 'Good morning' at total strangers." Maya Angelo

I love this quote by Maya Angelo. Sometimes I find it much easier to be mean and nasty to my friends and family when I am irritable, but I am always nice to strangers. I guess I don't want to stop being nice to people I don't know, but I should try to be more congenial to the people who are willing to put up with my nonsense year after year.

My Sister Tagged Me

My sister tagged me for a fun game. Here are the rules: (post these first)

(1) Each player answers questions about themselves.
(2) At the end of the post, tag 1 person by posting their name.
(3) Go to their site/blog and leave a comment telling them that they have been Tagged. Invite them to your site/blog so they can read the Tagged post.
(4) Let the person who tagged you know when you have completed your Tagged post.

Questions:

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was teaching children and adults English in Japan and traveling all over having a blast.

2. What are 5 things on your "To Do" list?
1. Make a budget
2. Go on a diet
3. Do my laundry
4. Plant some tomatoes
5. Wash my car

3. What are 5 snacks you enjoy?
1. Cheese its
2. Yogurt
3. chocolate
4. frozen fruit smoothies
5. Pretzels and Goop (Goop is a family recipe for the yummiest dip EVER!)

4. Name some things you would do if you were a millionaire.
If I had a million dollars I would:
· Invest in a business
· Buy a big house with a little house out back for my sister to visit because if I only had one million dollars I wouldn't quit my job here in Portland.
· Help some kids
· Have a maid
· Travel
· I would probably end up being talked into helping my sister adopt another child (who I would have to spoil!)

5.Name some places where you have lived.
Idaho, Guam, California, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Washington, Japan,

6. Name some bad habits you have.
Well, hmmm, I eat more than I should, spend too much time sitting on my butt and I spend too much time on the computer.

7. Name some jobs you have had.
PBX Operator, Home Health Aid, Teacher, Substitute Teacher, Tutor, Trainer, CNA, Dishwasher in a cafeteria, and many many more.

8. Name the person you are tagging.
Pam