March 2024

Millie and I had intended to go to a movie Sunday morning, but then she decided she did not want to. Some of her acquaintances from school came over on Sunday afternoon and she wasn't terribly interested in going outside to visit with them, but she got her clothes on. She also let our dogs outside, which was maddening. Mitch decided he was able to fix my car window. But left it in this state. 

He was hopeful the part would come in by Friday. 

Monday Jack had practice and I made an appointment for Millie to get cleared to go back to gymnastics. She and I just hung around the house until it was time to pick Jack up from practice. Once he was home, I made dinner and we chilled the rest of the evening. 

Tuesday morning I discovered that, once again, Jack had lied to me about a test he had in Spanish. I hope before that boy leaves my house he realizes that lying to people makes people not trust you. How many times will I have this conversation with him? 

After school, Jack had his first home match. Millie decided not to go to the game. I had developed a cold and actually sneezed into my shirt and produced some mucus inside my shirt. It was so gross! Fortunately, this happened before the match began and I was able to clean myself up. Jack had a great game, but they are not really playing tough competition at the moment.  

Wednesday we had our usual half day. Grammie took Millie to her follow-up appointment and although she was told to be out another week and a half, I decided I would let her go back in 5 days. I met Kristi for a drink before picking up Jack from practice. Once we were all home, I made dinner and we watched television together. 

Thursday was student-led conferences. Grammie and Pop took Millie to Jack's volleyball game at Notre Dame Prep because I wasn't able to go. Jack started, of course. It seems he had an amazing game. 

First high school career start and naturally I am not there. 

Stuart came home on Thursday night. I was thrilled. I picked Jack up from the school. Millie was brought home by my parents. Stuart arrived shortly after we all got home. We all sat around and visited for a while before getting ready for bed. 

Friday was grandparents breakfast and it was a hot mess. The food took forever and in the end, we all stood in line for nearly an hour. Millie ended up not even having pancakes. 

Stuart met the demolition crew to start taking our flooded kitchen apart. What a mess! They broke our granite so we assumed they would mean all of the granite would need to be replaced.

I left Stuart with the crew and the responsibility of getting Millie to gymnastics and going to watch Jack's game. He then picked Millie up to go to her championship flag football match. I was heading to a wedding at Troon. It was a classy venue with my taped up window. Ha!

Jackson Harley had a lovely wedding. 

Millie lost her championship. Jack's team won and he started, but was still disappointed in his play. I told him it will all fit together in due time. He is so hard on himself. 

Saturday we were up and tidying the mess of a kitchen we found ourselves in. We were having people over to celebrate Vicki's birthday. It wasn't ideal, but we had planned the party well before our kitchen was a mess. Mitch fixed my ghetto car window and all was like new again. 

Our guests arrived around 5 pm. Jack and Owen had spent the day in their driving school class. The boys made a massive mess in our loft. I got all over Jack for the mess. Initially, the boys were all supposed to spend the night with us, but the plan changed. They ended up going to the Holmes' house for a sleepover. I think it had something to do with Carter's step sister and her friends being there. They go to the U of A and are cheerleaders. Need I say more? 

Saturday morning we got up and did some laundry, changed sheets on our bed and went to wash my car that hadn't been washed in forever. We did some shopping at Old Navy. We got popcorn at Harkins and went home to watch all of the Indiana Jones movies, as a family. That was a disaster. It was Millie's idea and then she skipped off about halfway through the first movie. We then went to run errands then took kids to dinner in the Bronco. 

Jack was not happy. He was a bit embarrassed by the car. 

We came home and had the neighbors over. Elise had a hysterectomy on the Thursday before but was bored and needed an evening playing cards. She wore out very quickly. 

Monday we went to Top Golf. It was finally spring break. Stuart and I took Millie to gymnastics and then went to have dinner at Jeff and Melinda's. We had a wonderful catch up with them and a great meal. We then popped into the casino before picking Millie up from the gym. 

Tuesday the assessor came to let us know what the repair would cost us. It turns out that it was worth the claim. However, the damage would not replace our entire kitchen, unfortunately. It's a good think we sold our RV because this damage was going to cost us about $5000 out of pocket, as that was our deductible. 

Wednesday the demolition company came and turned the humidifiers off. Jack woke up and was sick to the point of not being able to go to volleyball practice.  

He had to be up by 4 pm as both kids had a med check. While we were there it only made sense for the doctor to give him an strep test. And wouldn't you know, it came back positive. Once I was home from the doctor I went to Roots and Boots with my mom and her friend Linda. It was a bust. We had thought there would be a lot of vendors there, but no such luck. Millie was invited but didn't want to go. In hind site, I'm glad she didn't as all she would have done was complain.  

Thursday Jack got up and felt a bit better. He went to practice but wasn't completely himself. Millie went to gym and Stuart and I went to dinner with Bob and Kristi, Carter's mom and step dad. We picked Millie up and got her McDonald's for dinner, as is the Thursday tradition. 

Friday we were up making breakfast burritos for the varsity team at 4:00 am. They had a tournament in Peoria. We delivered the breakfast and then went back to wake Millie up to go to the tournament. Jack was feeling a bit queasy, which is a bit worrying, but I think it was because he took his medicine on an empty stomach. They played well and ended up seated 1st for the tournament play the following day. Jack played really well. 

Millie had gymnastics but was late because we didn't think about bringing her leotard and gym bag with us so had to go all the way home. The rest of the evening was spent doing a whole lot of nothing. 

Saturday morning we didn't have to be up as early as the team didn't play until 10 am. Millie decided to give this day a miss. Grammie and Pop rode with us to the tournament. Jack didn't play as well this day, but they won the trophy for the gold bracket. It was tough going, but they did it. 

This is Gavin. He played for the school they beat for the championship. Gavin is a setter on Jack's club team. 

Saturday evening Mitch and Elise came over because it was Mitch's birthday. We sat outside for a little while but then ended up going to bed just before 9 o'clock. Millie had a gymnastics meet the following morning and Stuart and I were leaving for Gallup right after that meet.

Millie was up and raring to go at 5:30 on Sunday morning. She got downstairs and I did her hair and she didn't really fuss. She had the worst meet of her season. However, her coach commented that was to be expected since she had missed gymnastics for two weeks and coming off of a major surgery. He was quite pleased with how she did. She was okay with it, but was a little bit bummed. She still got five medals, but not as high as she normally does. 

After the meet she went to her friend Brinley's house for the afternoon. 

Stuart and I left for Gallup as soon as the awards had been given out. We thought we would get to Gallup around 4:30 Arizona time. But it turns out there was a big accident just after Holbrook on I 40 that delayed us about 45 minutes. The weather wasn't horrible, but it started hailing while we were stuck in traffic. We stopped to get curry for dinner. Then, as we were pulling into Gallup, it started snowing. In fifteen minutes, this was the picture of our cars parked in front of Stuart's apartment. We had driven separately as I was only working until Wednesday and he was going to work on Thursday as well. 

It snowed most of the night, lightly. It wasn't enough to delay the start of the school day and thankfully it didn't cancel school. That would have stunk as I came up to make some money for these big expenses that had recently come into our lives. 

This was the scene on Monday morning as we were leaving the apartment. Stuart went out about 15 minutes before we left and got the snow off my car as well as started my car so it would be warm when I got in. 

Stuart went to a different school than the one I went to on Monday. I texted him all day asking questions. He was very patient with me. I spent time in classrooms, but nothing was terribly earth shattering. I wish teachers would figure out that there is a lot more learning taking place when kids get to collaborate when discussing the subjects. So many teachers still focus on isolated questions that only one child is to answer. I don't understand why it is so hard for teachers to have students talk to a buddy to answer a question. At least when that is done, each student has more accountability. It's frustrating. Often teachers are not put on improvement plans in Gallup as it is super challenging for them to get teachers anyway. So I suppose they think a warm body is better than nobody. 

We headed back to the apartment after school. We had dinner with Gina as she was in Gallup as well this week. Gina and I went on an adventure and went shopping at Hobby Lobby, which I'm normally opposed to because of their strong stance on certain subjects. But Gina wanted to go and I wanted to spend time with her. I got us lost, as is common for me, coming back to the apartment. Gina was pretty good humored about it. We had a great evening. 

Tuesday was another work day. I went to present a lesson for one teacher who was supposed to have materials ready for me when I arrived. Well, she did not. We improvised until she could come up with something. I went to do another model lesson for a teacher who asked me for a specific topic. The entire time he was commenting on my lesson and interjecting his ideas. When it came time for the kids to do the practice he was very critical of my instruction. Yet he was the one who was giving the answers to the kids rather than making them think for themselves. Eek! We left school around 2:45 pm and headed to the grocery store. 

We decided to have dinner at Fratelli's. We came back to the house and watched television. I showered and was asleep on the sofa by 8:30 pm. I slept pretty well until about 12:30 pm. I got up, because I couldn't sleep, and went into the living room to watch Hulu on my phone. I didn't end up going back to sleep until around 4 am and the alarm sounded at 6 am. I slept those two hours on the sofa. Stuart has a full sized bed in his apartment, so we are quite 'cozy' in that bed. 

Wednesday at work the teacher I taught a lesson for the previous day ended up teaching from the exact same reading materials she had given me the previous day. I was in shock beyond belief. The kids were so kind as they pretended they had not ever seen this material. After school, we stopped to put gas in my car. I dropped Stuart at his apartment and then was off for Queen Creek. Sadly, I only made it about 30 minutes out of Gallup before hitting a dog on I40 causing my car to lose its from bumper. I pulled off the side of the road. My bumper lay under my car, so I attempted to pull it off. 

But instead, I think I broke the plug that holds in the coolant and it leaked out, causing my engine light to come on. 

But the windshield wiper fluid stayed where it belonged, thank goodness. 

I'm not going to lie, I think one of the reasons I couldn't sleep the previous night was because I feared driving home. There have been several of our friends who have had accidents that have been scary. And then this happens. I just feel fortunate it didn't hurt anyone, other than the dog. 

Stuart came out to where I was and waited for the tow truck with me. We then decided it would be best for him to go back to his apartment, pack up his stuff and wait for me to come with the tow truck and car. His landlord had said we could park the car on their drive until we figured out what needed to be done. And then this way, Stuart could drive me home. He ended up having to cancel his next day of work. 

The tow truck driver was a bit of a jerk to me on the phone. But I did make nice with him in the way back to Gallup. We got the car back to Stuart's apartment and headed home. We arrived at midnight, safe and sound. My parents had stayed the week with the kids and were still at our house when we got home. I was emotionally exhausted. 

We got up Thursday morning and headed to pick up Stuart's car from the transmission shop. This was a $4800 expense. We left the Jeep, Jack's car, as it had started making noises during the week in Gallup. Considering he would have his permit the following day and I would need to drive his car for a while, we felt we needed to get things sorted for his car. 

I got up Thursday morning and Stuart and I ran some errands. Stuart then dropped me off at the airport to go to Las Cruces to spend a few days with Liz. She picked my up at the airport and we made a stop at the grocery store before heading to Liz's house. We did a lot of nothing for the entire two days and it was so wonderful. We had frozen pizza on Thursday evening and started watching the show Snapped. We laughed so much! 

Friday morning we lounged around the house for a while. I got this picture from Stuart. 

He passed his permit test. Eek! We have another driver in the house. 

Liz and I managed to get out for some lunch, but headed right back to the house after a bit of shopping. We stopped at the Family Dollar store to buy their version of Girl Scout cookies. They have three kinds that taste just like the Girl Scout version, but about a third of the price. 

Gina checked on me on Friday to make sure I had made it to Liz's. I had messaged her after I hit the dog as she checked on me Wednesday to see if I was on my way home. I then told her about the accident. I appreciated her checking on me. 

Friday night, Liz and I stayed in for the evening. We ate like 12 year olds, so basically all the crappy food we could find. We had another wonderful evening at the house. 

Saturday morning we were supposed to go to the hot springs but Liz didn't know we had to book. So instead, we happily spent the day watching Snapped, a series about women who snap on their partners and commit murder. Is this an okay show for me? Yes it is. It is so predictable. 

We headed for a late lunch and then to the airport. 

There was an all male crew on my flight back from El Paso. I had to take this picture.  

Jack actually picked me up at the airport. He drove all the way to the airport and back home. I may have tried to be a backseat driver, which got me into a bit of trouble. Once we were home, I started laundry and Stuart and I set up for a while watching TV.

Sunday morning we got up and Jack went with us to Costco. He is very motivated to go anywhere with us now because he wants to drive. I think the last time he was in Costco he was in a stroller. But this driving thing really makes him want to go places with us. Stuart and I had actually gone to Walmart earlier and he was mad we didn't wake him up to drive. 

Stuart started working on making dinner for the neighbors and my mom and dad. Because he had to work the following weekend and thought he wouldn't be home for Easter, he decided this would be our Easter meal. He made a beautiful pork shoulder and veggies. It was a wonderful meal.

Jack and I had gone to get Tatum around 3 o'clock. She stayed until about 10 o'clock. Jack drove to pick her up and take her home. Of course, I was in the front seat both ways, which wasn't as romantic as he would have wanted, but he knows the rules. And, might I add, he is a very conscientious driver, which is a relief. 

Monday morning Stuart had decided to stay and go to Jack's volleyball game that evening. I went to school and Stuart brought Millie later. Jack didn't have school because Chandler teachers had an in-service the first day back for the fourth quarter. School was relatively uneventful. We have a lot of testing between now and the end of April. It's a big waste of time! So we were preparing for that. 

After school, Millie and I came home and picked up Stuart. We took Millie to gymnastics and then headed back to Casteel for the volleyball match. Heather and Melinda actually showed up for the match. I was pleasantly surprised and thrilled that they would support Jack that way. 

The varsity won relatively easy. Jack was frustrated at the way he played. We told him just to hang in there and that he is going to be the player that his coach will rely on when there's pressure. Sometimes when they play teams that are not as good, they unfortunately play down to that level. He'll work through it eventually. After Jack's game, we went to grab a bite to eat before picking up Millie.

Stuart went to bed as soon as we got home because he was getting up at 3 AM to drive to Gallup to work. I think he's getting tired of the drive. And to be honest we're both tired of him being gone so much. I think we were both a little more rattled by my car accident than we would like to admit. 

Tuesday was our first day of testing. My 6th graders spent an hour in another 6th grade classroom while my 5th graders took part of one the science state test. The day was a bit boring, to be honest. 

Jack had an amazing game! He and the other freshman, Nathan, got the Warhorse! This is a coveted award given to the hardest working player of the match. He was super pleased. 

Wednesday Jack had practice and Millie had flag football practice. Her friends' mom came to pick her up as I had scheduled an appointment to meet up with Kristi, Carter's mom. I was going to talk with her about the private school she is co-owner in. I had decided to keep all of my options open and check out all kinds of things for retirement. She ended up having to cancel but we spoke on the phone for two hours about this and that. 

Thursday was the last day of the work week. Jack had a volleyball match, the first of their conference schedule. I was sure they would meet good competition, thank goodness. Jack called me just as I entered the gym to tell me he had forgotten his shorts at home and asked if I could go and get them. I was super frustrated. Fortunately, the game was at Campo Verde, which isn't that far from our house, so I went and got them. I did, however, come back into the gym with his shorts over my jeans. He was rightfully embarrassed as some of his teammates saw me do this. He took it in stride. He didn't end up playing much at all in the match. Unfortunately they are at the time in their season that statistics speak volumes and there were about 6 players that didn't play at all. So I told him he would just have to be more determined with every practice. He was discouraged, but he will work through it. They won the game, so that was awesome! I headed to get McDonald's for the kids and then headed to get Millie from gymnastics. I messaged Jack to tell him I would be a bit late to the school. Once we were all home, the kids ate and then because it was a holiday the following day, I let them stay up after they took their showers. 

Friday morning I was up at 6 am in order to meet Sue for breakfast at 7 am. After a good time of catching up, I headed to Mesa to the MVD to get my travel drivers license. Once I was finished with that necessary evil task, I went home. The kids and I didn't do a lot the rest of the day. Millie decided she didn't want to go to gymnastics as it was Good Friday and she said most of her teammates were not going. Jack and I went to Crismon High School to watch the JV team play. He sat on the bench and helped 'coach' a bit. He was in his element. It was fun to watch. All of his buddies are on that JV team. Millie had decided to stay at the house. When we got home, the kids were on their own. Elise and I decided to go to dinner at the Thirsty Lion. We were out for a couple of hours and had a night dinner. She was going to come over after we got home, but she ended up staying home and I actually fell asleep watching tv. 

Saturday morning I was up at 7:30 am. I washed my hair and  washed a load of laundry. I woke the kids up and made breakfast around 9 am. We needed to leave for the football field at 10 am, but Millie couldn't find her mouthguard, her wristband, or her flags. She is super unorganized and a mess! Her room is a trash heap. It wasn't a mystery she couldn't find her things. She proceeded to get frustrated and so did I. We ended up yelling at each other and she was slamming doors. Argh! It was not a good start to the morning. However, she played so well today, and even scored a touchdown. She caught the ball about three times and really contributed to the team's win. 

After her game, Jack drove to Tatum's for the day. Millie and I came home and colored Easter eggs. 

Stuart called me to let me know they found more issues when they got under my car. However, the mechanic was going to fix it so it was at least drivable. What a true piece of crap it is now. I will get nothing for it when I decide to get a new car. I am ready for this time frame of our lives to pass for sure. Stuart worked Saturday but got home around 6:30 pm. We sat around for the evening and did absolutely nothing. Once Stuart had showered and gone to bed, I got the kids Easter baskets ready. We got Jack new car seat covers and a wheel cover that looked like a volleyball for the back of his car. We got Millie new Nike shorts. They got candy as well. Having both of them not believing in the Easter Bunny or any other lie we've told them for years is super convenient now. 

We had a busy and financially taxing March. We are hoping April is less eventful.