We have got the final word that DH will indeed have a new contract in January. They wanted him on 3 January--about 20 feet away from his current desk, but with the year we've had, he's going to wait until 9 January to start. And it looks like rather than starting in the new department, he'll be hanging around the old one part of the time as his "replacement" is out on extended sick leave.

I wish I could say we did an immediate happy dance, but I think we were a bit shaken and couldn't quite come to grips with it. That and the cold that has been plaguing us all has made this news still very very very good, but I think we're cautious and wary still.

I'll try a year-end wrap-up tomorrow,with some updated goals for 2012.

In the meantime, I can't believe I'm saying this--but I wish it would snow. This is drearier than British winter. Time for another cookie before the resolutions set in!

Just got an e-mail from DH who may have a new contract lined up. More when I know more. That would be the best happiest news in a long time.

Christmas details also to follow, but waiting on the big news.

Happy Holidays to all my SA friends! I really do feel like so many of you are my friends.

It's not often I want to clean, but today I do. Too much holiday stuff laying around--bags and receipts, and ingredients. We spent a lovely hour this morning at DD's Christmas concert at school. We must've been seated in a great spot because only spotted three people texting and one guy on his phone chatting.

So I'm off to clean!

Oh man, I was dreading today. Lots to do and so little sleep, but somehow it went very well.
I closed out three classes, finished the grading for two of them last night, had a superb discussion in the Business in Literature class, found my missing evaluation forms, spent 20 delightful minutes chatting with colleagues, went to the last job candidate talk, almost ran out of gas but didn't, made my new favorite bratwurst soup and then delivered it to my colleague who had preemie twins. Phewww. After eating the other half of the soup, I graded a massive stack of papers, and now....drum roll... have only one (horrible) class left to grade. Tomorrow. I want to be free tomorrow.

I've spent all day after church on grading. But we managed to squeeze in some fun this weekend. A local college had a "Hogwarts Evening" and we went with some friends. It was lots of fun--dementors and runes and potions and Honeydukes and a Quidditch match. DD was in Hogwarts heaven. Yesterday we took several of her friends and their mom to a gingerbread house decorating day at our church. Today we came home with the gingerbread house! And yesterday night after a long spell of grade updates, DH and I watched "Luther." He's now officially hooked on the show--part fabulous writing, part fabulous acting, part fabulous London scenery.

My only outing besides those was a quick trip to CVS for the bargains and the accompanying gift card.
I'm so boring right now...

I have a long day tomorrow so am heading off to bed with grading still looming. But done by Thursday, I swear it!

And likely to be that way for another couple of days.
I left the house twice today--once to go to a faculty meeting and then again to take DD to Kumon. I think I'm too submerged in it. I burned the sandwich rolls while making dinner, forgot to defrost the chicken we were going to eat, and left the dog outside for 45 minutes. I'm a focus freak. I get in the groove and can't do anything else without disrupting my pattern. I spent nothing today except for 8 cents tax on Advent calendar fillers on my way home from school. CVS extra bucks paid the rest.

Back to it.

DH met today with his contracting agency. I think they're afraid they'll lose him to another agency, so it appears that they'll pay him through January. That's great news--but they want him to take long-term travel assignments after that. He told them he needs to work locally. Maybe I'm stupid, but I just can't see it working for us if he's gone for weeks at a time. I'm not sure I could swing the single-parent routine. Several of my friends are trying it now with their husbands working hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles away. They've shown me how hard it is, DH is not good by himself, and it would really disrupt our current before-school and evening-class routine. Maybe I'll feel differently if no work appears. I hope we don't have to think seriously about that. Sigh.

I've been reading student drafts all day. By 5pm, I had a killer headache. Student writing is worse than a clunk on the noggin.
But I've also managed to knock off a few things around the house,revamp DH's CV, and read and edit two capstone projects, But there are more invitations to ibuprofen in my inbox, so I foresee another two hours ahead of me.
I have spent nothing except $15.40 at the vet's office to get the dog's stitches removed. I probably could've done it myself! But I'm happy to report she's fine and perkier than ever. She has been released from the cone of shame and is buzzing around the house like a puppy.

I long to shop, bake, and relax, but I've got another week or so like this. Head down, full speed ahead.

Nothing spent except $1.76 on coffee today and my car tab renewal. I felt the need for a nice dinner tonight; we've been eating a bit too haphazardly lately--partly from frugality and partly from lack of time. Too much eating all the little bits of stuff left in the fridge. I'm all for that, but after a while, it feels meager. Plus it's the end of a long week for me with tomorrow only online classes. So we had a very nice pork tenderloin with dried cranberry sauce, baked sweet potatoes and broccoli.

While I have plenty of work ahead of me, I'm devoting tonight to cleaning up around here, laundry, and for once, a sparkling clean kitchen. Few things are more satisfying.

All that makes it easier to tackle tomorrow's mountain of work.

I'm too busy to blog much, but have been thinking about a lot of things that will need to be sorted out once things settle down.
Some of them are how to stick to a better exercise routine, how to reorganize my office, whether I'll ever teach another online class after the headaches of this one, where wine belongs in my budget, and other mostly minor things.

But I had a very contentious class last night, and I've been thinking about it a lot. We read three Flannery O'Connor stories, all of which contain the "n-word."
My evening class is primarily African-American women, and we had a very difficult time discussing how a writer can have a character use that word, whether we should read those stories, the problems of conflating the author with the character, etc. In each of these stories the character that use the "n-word" is despicable and flawed. O'Connor punishes them: one character is shot, another is shown up as a pretentious buffoon, and another reduced to thinking of herself as a warthog (no, I'm not kidding) from the lower regions. But still, the legacy of that word troubles and haunts. We literally spent hours discussing it, at times way too vehemently.

I love these stories, but need to find a better way to communicate and teach them. Not financial news at all, but since they pay me to do this, perhaps it has a financial component. I wish I could think and work at the same time...

I'm still working on school prep for this week, and hope to get some financial matters squared away. I need to drop off the 403b reduction at our HR office and pay some bills. After church I stopped at Walgreen's for their sale on instant coffee. My DH loves instant (is it the Brit in him?)and I've seen it regularly priced at $13 lately. I bought two at $6.99/ea and with another coupon and used my soon-to-expire register rewards. DD and also swung by Michael's for her "book-share" project due on Wednesday. I mostly restrained myself from any unnecessary purchases, but they had the cutest wrapping paper for $3, so I gave in to my wrapping desires. I love wrapping paper.

I feel like I spent a lot of time cooking this weekend. But we start the week with a couple meals worth of soup, ravioli casserole, and beef stew, not to mention another batch of crock-pot applesauce.

We had a very nice Thanksgiving with my brother and his family. The nephews were all with their womenfolk and their families, so we missed them, but had a great time anyway. My brother and his wife are just wonderful; we're the same kind of low-key wine-drinking, PBS watching geeks, and we always enjoy their company. This was our first holiday for my brother and me without our mom, and it made it better to be together. I had time for breakfast with two of my Minnesota friends on Friday and then we headed home. We did the 12-hour round trip to Minnesota and back in 48 hours,so I guess it's no wonder I'm dragging a bit today.

I did swing by CVS after we got home last night and picked up a host of Black Friday freebies. Many of them will be stocking stuffers, some in the Advent calendar, and some will likely go to the food pantry barrel. The 16-year-old checker whooped and hollered in praise at how many extra bucks I earned and used, but honestly, it took no time at all.

The weather stinks--cold and rainy--so I made lentil soup and another batch of slow-cooker applesauce. I'm watching pennies carefully. We've made a photo collage free at Walgreen's that will go in with the other small things for our sponsored child in Swaziland.

I'd like a few more days at home. It feels good to potter around here.

Sunday night about 10, I heard DH yell, "I think we have a problem." While running after something in the yard, the dog instead caught the edge of the upended tomato cage. It sliced right through her right upper chest, and she was bleeding heavily.

After a most stressful five-hour jaunt to the emergency vet and almost $700, she's home, sewn up, and medicated.

I'm very thankful she's ok. I'm not so thankful about the bill. Today we go back for another look at the wound. Ah--the emergency fund.

DH is again nervous about his job. He's still a contractor, but he's been at the same place for more than 10 years. They put a hiring freeze on several years ago, and for a long time, he was the only contractor there.
But some of his regular tasks have been reassigned to employees, and he's feeling nervous. We talked it through last night and rather than worrying, we decided he should talk to folks. That's happening in a couple hours.
As usual, I'm bracing for the worst-case scenario. I've been super-freaky about grocery spending and utilities. But I did get my small challenge list done for yesterday with nice lentil soup, pumpkin bread, clean laundry, ebay listings,spelling-word quizzes--but no toy vouchers have yet to surface!

While I'd like to quickly pay off the mortgage, lose 20 pounds, have Michelle Obama's arms, and look 10 years younger overnight, I think I need some simple achievable goals for the next week.

Here are today's six:

Do two more loads of laundry

Finish lentil soup in the crockpot

List two things on ebay

Quiz DD on spelling words

Make pumpkin bread

Find the toy coupons I've misplaced

I've got more to blog about, but want to finish a couple of these before I come back!

It's mostly been a day of catching up, but there's been some flash cash and some slow cash coming.

Two textbook publishers contacted me today, one from my current text and one from a competing text. The current text, though it's been out less than a year, is already planning revisions. They wanted feedback from me through a survey in return for $20 from Amazon.
Done!

The competing text publisher wanted me to do a survey and an intensive two-chapter review. While I know they're just trying to lure me back to their text, for the $400 they offered, I'll do it. I figure it'll take me about 2-3 hours.

Slow cash coming from a cheaper magazine offer for one of DD's magazines, a couple of good deals at the drugstore, and my goal sheet (not as fun as Paulette's!) that I'll do later this afternoon.


I've been overstretched and tired, but took a nap yesterday after teaching and took it easy last night. Onward!

My Business in Literature and Film class finished viewing and discussing the Charles Ferguson film, "Inside Job" today.

We had a very interesting discussion about it, and I'm wondering if any of you folks out there saw it?

Since it's about finance, I suspect you have!

I'd be interested to hear your reactions.

I was almost convinced today would be disaster filled.
I didn't finish DD's Halloween costume until 10 last night, hadn't copied my midterm exams, didn't buy enough Fruit Gushers for the classroom party, and had to be in the classroom with exams in hand at 8--after accomplishing all the rest of that.

Yet it all worked. Everything that could go wrong instead went right. We were in and out of the grocery store in two minutes, DD's costume was a huge success, DD at before-school care in time, and I picked the one working copier at 7:45. I was in such a surprised and good mood that I e-mailed my slacker student who hadn't shown up for the exam and let him take it during my office hours. He's a mess; a nice boy who is just not mature enough for school. And he was completely freaked out I let him take the exam. It seemed like I owed the karma account a deposit or two!

On the financial front, my inside source at the "fancy" grocery store, a current student, confessed her store was ending their loss-leader specials next week. I ran in there on the way to DD's costume parade and bought 12# of ground beef (super lean and just ground) for $1.49/lb. I probably should have bought a lottery ticket!

Why does stress seem to roll off some days,and other days, the slightest thing sets people off?

My students are exuding stress lately. My lit class had papers due today, and in the past hour I've had two students in my office crying. One probably needed a referral to the Student Accessibility Center to help her with her reading, but she's reluctant to go. The other was crying so much that her false eyelash fell off. I'm not sure if they're getting lots of pressure from parents, grades, work, or whatever, but stress levels seem to be at an all-time high.

The parking ramp cashier's computer malfunctioned, and wouldn't let the gate go up. Three people got out of their cars and started yelling at the cashier. Very helpful behavior. A bunch more started honking. Yep, that's going to help things.

Things are going to go wrong. I can either deal with it positively or ramp up all that angst. Many days I'm at the epicenter of the stress storm, but sometimes watching someone else's idiocy can help me deal with my own.

My DVD player malfunctioned in class. Classroom support came out very quickly with replacement speakers, and we were up and running again in 20 minutes. As we were waiting, I asked for clean jokes. We had a riot telling jokes until the new speakers arrived.

But I wish I knew why some days things like this are fun enough--and other days pure torture.
Sunshine? Sleep? Blood-sugar levels?

Today I spent some cash on parking and a bit on coffee. I have purged nothing but will be back on board tomorrow.

It was a busy one here, especially without DH. DD had a birthday party to attend yesterday, and we spent some time yesterday morning picking out a gift, then heading to the craft store for more add-ons. I also picked up the tag board for her Halloween costume there. For reasons beyond my ken, she's wants to be a KitKat bar.

I purchased the stuff, stopped at the spice shop for pickling spice for the green tomatoes and also got an apple pie blend and a lovely free sampler of spices. I think it'll be a Christmas gift for someone, but not sure who.

We did lunch at home, got her to the party, I came home and wrote half my midterm exam, then headed back to pick her up. Then a Target trip, where overjoyed to find my favorite shampoo on sale, discovered upon return home that I'd bought the conditioner instead of the shampoo. We had coupons for free burgers so ate them for dinner, got "Rio" on redbox, which she really enjoyed. I dozed through about 20 minutes of it--really need more sleep!

Today was a similar thicket of church, errands, baby shower, laundry, homework, and dinner. DD made her handbell debut at church so we had to stay for both services. After her part at the second service, I hid out in the choir room and read homework, feeling vaguely guilty about working so much on Sunday. But it had to be done.

Now to finish those midterm questions....

It's a little strange to be picking tomatoes at 10;20 pm? I just heard the frost forecast and decided to salvage what I could. In came all the potted herbs, and I went out for a last harvest. There were red tomatoes hiding, a couple straggly peppers left, and lots of green tomatoes.
I guess I'll wrap the green ones in newspaper like my mom did and look at pickling some of the green cherry tomatoes. My habits get odder and odder without DH and his regular schedule. Our usual Friday night has a bottle of wine and Newshour. Instead DD and I ate glorified snacks and watched Harry Potter 1 for the 127th time.

I've never pickled tomatoes before, but it sounds like fun. Any experienced picklers out there? It's been a long time since I "put up" anything.

Nah, it's not really that bad, but I do miss DH. The prospect of another 10 days without him isn't brightening my world.

One of the things that is weighing heavily is this lovely news item from my dear friend, the governor:
UW must take 38-percent of the $174-million in non-specified cuts which are budgeted for state agencies over the next two years.

Since the UW system accounts for something like a whooping 5 percent of the state's budget, I can't quite see why we're taking a 38 percent hit. Could it be because we've been among his loudest opponents? Nah, he couldn't be that small-minded, could he?

If people who bemoan university spending could come see my office, they'd be shocked. Students are almost always shocked. I'd say 50 percent walk in, look around, and say, "Nice office" or "Nice digs."
Could it be the 1960s yellow metal desks? The 1979 model telephone? The floor that gets washed once a year? The fact that three of us are assigned to that office?

Budget cuts in my department mean two things: no more hiring, thus cutting lots of programs, and larger class sizes. I'm back to disgusted, depressed, and dejected.

Dh left for his mum's funeral this morning. But judging from the weather around here, he's not the only thing in the air. Lawnchairs, bits of fence, Power lines, and lots of branches and leaves have been flying around with our 50+ mph winds.

It's a little like the Wizard of Oz here, and half of our community is without power now, so I'm going to bed too--before it happens to us!

Better updates tomorrow---

I just got an update from payroll that thanked me for my patience while waiting for the refund from health insurance overpayment. Who's been patient? Not me!

To tax my patience even further, they told me I probably will get it in my November 1 check. I will not not not fill the page with my wrath. But I'll bet you can feel it!

It's a little odd to admit this, but I really love my clothesline, and I've been thinking about why I feel so attached to it.

First, it's a great penny saver. It's cheaper than the dryer.
Second, it's good for the environment.
Third, I love the way everything smells when the laundry comes in from the line.
Fourth , most importantly for me, it gets me outside to admire the day. Those first precarious spring days when I'm not sure it's warm enough to use the clothesline are so hopeful. The June mornings when it seems like everything is possible are so invigorating. These blustery yet blue October mornings I watch the busy squirrels,the wacky chickadees, and the woodpecker who is strangely attracted to our patio furniture. The dog sits outside soaking it all in, and I am away from the computer, the grading, and instead free up my brain. All of that, guilt free.

What else can do all this? The tomato patch--but that's another post!

I'm trying to stay away from my ungraded papers today and clean the house. DD is having a friend over for a sleepover,and well, my house really needs a thorough cleaning.

All of that leads to not spending anything, which is a happy situation as my payroll shortage still hasn't appeared. No definite word on my M-I-L's funeral date. It seems they might have a burial first, then a remembrance service in 10 days or so. Perhaps that will get us better airfares.

I spent $30 at the School Book Fair last night, and bought a pie at the bake sale.

Back to cleaning!

Not much shaking here. My classes went well, and I showed a 1968 documentary called "The Salesman" about door-to-door Bible salesmen. It was made by the Maysles brothers before they made "Gimme Shelter."

I sold a book, paid for postage, and that, apart from my caffeine fix, was the only money spent today. The money-in-the-bank soup was excellent.

Ok, it's addressed, but not solved. When last we left this debacle, the state owed me over $700 for their overcharging me on my health insurance.
Payroll says I should wait until November 1 for the money. I say I should have it now, I should have it now in unmarked 20s in a brown paper bag on my front step.

I do feel like they're holding me hostage actually. It's not my fault, it's their fault. I haven't been paid since June, and I want the money.

End of grumbling, but there will be more as this story develops.

I almost freaked out this afternoon when I checked for the "preview" of my paycheck on the university website. My health insurance premiums were supposed to double under the (ahem) budget repair bill, but instead, I see the university has taken over $1000 out.
I almost lost my marbles.

Something is clearly wrong. It was after office hours, but I e-mailed several co-workers and this is not the case with them, so I need to get it straightened out tomorrow. I knew something bad would happen with three darn contracts and two separate employers within the university. Ugh. This stuff is always a pain.

Especially stupid and painful because I've been working almost 13 hours straight today--and tomorrow too.
Sigh.

I spent half the morning at the dentist where they replaced an old filling, redrilled it, and gave me a new one. Unfortunately for me, the dentist had a heckuva time getting the separating band off once she filled the tooth. After 15 minutes of hard pulling, she had to extract some of the new filling to get the band off, then redrill a bit more and refill. I was not amused. I came home looking like I'd been through the wars, took three ibuprofen and went to bed for a couple hours.

I got up after noon, couldn't open my mouth much and started grading papers and making chili. That lasted until DD came home from school. She'd had an upsetting day, so we relaxed, read Roald Dahl and C.S. Lewis, and hung out.

Total spending was $135 out-of-pocket money for the dentist and another $18 for an evening family hike next week. Much more grading to do.