good start

So, as noted previously, today was the first day of school.  

I got up this morning and took a shower and got dressed in my favorite little preggo dress.  I fixed my hair and sprayed my moonlight path spray.  I packed and grabbed my brand new computer bag (a nice professional looking one, instead of the canvas messenger bag of last year)  and I was on my way out the door 10 mins early.  I rode down the elevator to my brand new ride, swung my new bag in the backseat, and headed out to the school where I parked and marched in with a target bag full of office supplies in one hand, and a new dry erase board in the other.

School was great today.  Who doesn't love the first day of school?  I spent the day setting up my office.  It turns out, I won't have to share it much this year after all!  I will share it some of the time, but more for storage space than actual work space.  So, I spent all day marking my territory by hanging posters, arranging my office supplies, and labeling my hanging files (sooo excited about my hanging files!)  What you should understand, is that my office is not an impressive space by any means.  It's small, it has no windows, the walls need paint, there is no air and it's hot.  But, imagine sharing it with 2 other people!  I LOVE my little corner of the high school.  And, the whole thing makes me very optimistic about the school year.  

After school, I met up with a girl who sold me a cute little microwave that I can use in my office (I heart craigslist).  Then, I went to Target (again) and got some more stuff.  Kyle and I went to taekwondo tonight, but stopped at outback on the way home for a little nicer dinner than our normal Wendy's or Subway.  

So, I guess tomorrow has a lot to live up to.  Today was a great day.

My office yesterday:   

And today: 

back to life.

I officially started back to work yesterday, but tomorrow is the first day that the students are back.  I've been running around to first of the year meetings, turning in paperwork to the downtown office, visiting the psych office to pick up this and that, and setting up my office space at the high school.  

I'm, in a way, happy school is starting back.  A fresh clean start is always so nice.  I know that by next week, I'll be singing a different song...but for now, it's kinda nice.  Of course, I had to go get new office supplies, which always helps.  Among my favorites are my new robin egg blue 3-pocket wall file and my big new dry erase board...oh, and my new wall posters (starry night and another artsy piece)  I also got a box of kleenex with a really cute pattern on it.  :-)  It doesn't take much to make me happy.  

Over the next few days, I'll keep setting things up and getting re-situated into the school.  I have to wait and see if I'll be sharing my office with 2 others like I did last year, or if they've been relegated to another location.  It would be nice to have my own space. 

Next week, I anticipate I'll start actually seeing kids.  

In other news, Kyle and I officially have our new car.  We drove her home tonight.  We still like it.  I was a little sad giving Zoie away, but we did it quick, and I KNOW she'll go to a MUCH better home.  (sniff)

And, in still other news, I'm feeling more pregnant every day.  We've entered the phase where my body starts to complain more.  My feet and back and hips ache more.  My breathing is shallower than in the past.  I move awkwardly when getting in and out of the car etc etc....

Ok, that should do as a quicky update.  I'll have more to write as school gets underway.  Thanks for reading. ;-)

new addition

I am pleased to introduce to you, the newest addition to the Shachmut family - The 2008 Saturn Vue.  

We haven't decided on a name yet, but she comes home on Tuesday.  :-)

Kyle and I have spent a while now researching new cars, and spent the last 2 days driving, feeling, bargaining, walking away, walking back in, crunching numbers, and playing hard to get with the dealerships.  I'm absolutely exhausted.  (Kyle, by the way, is my hero for being so good at wrestling the lowest price out of these guys...he just doesn't give in)

However, at the end of the day, thanks to some really great pricing and incentives, we've got our new car, fully loaded with all the bells and whistles that nobody ever actually needs...but are, nonetheless, enticing to have.  We were able to keep our same payments, so our budget doesn't change at all.  This is a good thing.  

And for any of you, who, like me, have incredibly illogical emotional attachments to cars, (I cried my eyes out for 20 mins on the way down at the thought that this was my last highway drive with Zoie) I want you to know that Zoie is going to go to a good home.  She'll go to somebody who needs her more than I do and who will probably wash her and change her oil more than yearly.  She has been an excellent car.  But, as Kyle put it, she was my college car.  Now, we're getting a family car.  

So, I'm happy.

countdown

Today marks the point in this pregnancy where we're counting down the days in double digits.  99 days left until baby Abigail is due.  

On one hand, 99 days still seems a long way away.  14 weeks-ish, sounds shorter...and 3 months sounds dangerously close.  

At 26 weeks, I'm still feeling good.  Abigail is getting stronger everyday and letting me know it.  I always enjoy feeling her move and kick and punch...but, it's also at the point where sometimes I become weary when she's really active.  I've started trying to soothe her like a baby when she's moving a lot.  I rock her by swaying myself.  I play music for her, sometimes I even sing to her.  Of course, the best way to get her to calm down is to have Kyle come put his hand on my belly. That seems to work like magic.  She'll be such a daddy's girl.  

The best part is when these things work, and I'm able to settle her.  It makes me feel kinda useful.

At 26 weeks, I'm not big enough to waddle, but I'm getting big enough to understand the aches and pains that are coming.  My back is starting to be sore at the end of the day. My feet ache more than they used to.  Rolling over when I sleep is a 5-step process.  My skin needs moisturizer more often.  I use my feet to pick up things I drop when I can so I won't have to bend.  I think I can understand the idea of being "ready" for baby to come out.  

Kyle started calling her "Abigailien"  Because of the alien like qualities that come with having another being live inside you.  She apparently has begun stealing more of my food...because my appetite is growing as well.  

Anyway, just an update.  Kyle and I are doing well overall and are getting ready to start back to work and school on Tuesday.  That should give me plenty to write about.  :)

politics

I don't know who will win the election.  I don't know every stance on every policy for either of our presidential candidates.  I don't think either candidate is perfect.  I think there are pros and cons to every situation.  And I look forward to learning more and hearing the debates in the coming months.  

However, regardless of how things turn out, I'm glad I was here tonight to hear Obama's speech.  

You don't have to like the guy or even vote for him.  But, I think the moment does deserve recognition for the weight it carries in our national history.  I'm proud to be here tonight.  I'm proud of how far we've come...as cliche as that may sound.  I'm excited about the idea that my daughter may be born into a world that has overcome one more racial barrier.  We've elected Obama to be the democratic nominee.  It is important, and historic, and...to me at least, exciting.  

What an amazing time to be involved.  And if you're not...you should be.  Go educate yourself.  Ask questions, watch the debates, listen, doubt, play the skeptic, learn, grow.  Most of all, keep an open mind and make educated and informed decisions.  Don't listen to too much spin.  A little is ok...as long as you recognize it.  It matters too much to play a passive part.  Be a critical thinker.

So, I may not be wearing my flag pin around...but I'm proud to be a part of the voting community, and (again, as cliche as it may sound) I'm glad to live in, and to be bringing a child into, this country.