Do you Have What it Takes?

When I moved from Wisconsin to Minnesota my teaching license was not reciprocal. I need to take a series of exams and pass them before June 2011. In the meantime, I was given a one year temporary license so I can brush up on my basic knowledge of reading, writing, and math. I will also need to take 2 other tests that are in my field of practice.

So, I thought I better start looking into the tests and what I need to study and oh my is all I have to say.

Mind you, I graduated from college in 1991 and received my masters in 2001 and have been taking classes that are relevant to early elementary education, so when I saw what I needed to study, I thought I was going to pass out. I will share some of the basic knowledge examples and please tell me if I am being to dramatic on how hard it might be. I will bore you with a couple of math questions today.

Here goes.....

1. Five students are to present projects to the class. One of the students has asked to go first. Allowing for this request, in how many ways can the students be ordered for making their presentations?

a. 24
b. 48
c. 96
d. 120


2. A cube is built from a length of pipe 192 centimeters long. The pipe is cut into pieces of equal length so that each piece is the edge of the cube. Assuming no waste, what is the side length of the cube?

a. 16 centimeters
b. 24 centimeters
c. 32 centimeters
d. 48 centimeters


3. A piece of cheese in the shape of a right circular cylinder, as shown above, is divided equally among 9 people. What is the volume of each person's cylinder?

(top of cylinder measures 6 inches, the side measures 2 in.)

a. 2(sign for pie) cubic inches
b. 6(sign for pie) cubic inches
c. 12(sign for pie) cubic inches
d. 18 (sign for pie) cubic inches


Do you think you know the right answer? Let me know....I will post the correct answer tomorrow. I wonder if you will have as much fun as I did. :)

What to Wear or Not

What to wear, what to wear? That is the question on my mind.

For the last 16 years of my life I always dressed up during the day for work. I shopped for the latest styles and couldn't wait to wear my cute heels and stylish outfits each day. So in the evening I would come home, put my gym clothes on or jammies and not worry about it. I had a few basic things for the weekend so I could look cute for a football game or a night out on the town.

My dilemma is this....since moving I don't have a job yet and I don't want to spend my days in sweats...what do I wear? I of course have jeans and shirts, but I really miss shopping.

Today after doing a favor for my husband I stopped at Kohl's and thought I wonder what I will find. I was looking at their Sonoma brand shirts and sweaters because they seem casual and not very expensive. However, as I was picking up these tees and sweaters I noticed the other people in that section that were also eyeing up these finds....women that are at least 30 years older than me. OMG!! I literally ran out of there and tried to look at the Vera Wang and Apt. 9 selections and they are just too dressy. I would of loved to bought some cute new things, but should I really be doing laundry and cleaning house in them?

Again, I really don't like wearing sweats because that brings back horrible memories from college...the whole gaining weight thing. So, I prefer to wear things that have a waist size. Oh, I like my sweats, but not all day everyday.

***side note***I feel like I am rambling......

I also don't want to dress like a teenager or look frumpy either....Help!!! Where do you shop for your jeans and casual tops and sweaters? I need some ideas because I am sick of wearing the same 5 shirts :)

Or just maybe....I will finally get a job and then I won't have this dilemma anymore and I can pull out my dress clothes and cute heels....because to be quite honest....I MISS THEM!!!

Who Knew

Who knew that a box of Loreal Hair Dye would do so much for my attitude and self confidence. I am dark brown again and I can't be happier. And the fact that the sun was shining and I sat out with my amazing husband and had a couple margaritas.

I ran 8 miles this morning and it felt great!! I am training for the Monster Dash in Minneapolis at the end of October. It is a 10 mile race. It will be great because I am running it with my wonderful husband and sister and brother in law.

I have some friends who are all trying to convince me to do a full 26.2 marathon...not sure if I have it in me.

I am hoping that my week is filled with adventure and new opportunities.

So can't wait to go out and take photos of the beautiful trees that are changing colors.

My Little Demons

Living in a new city and state have been a real challenge to me. I have my good days and my really bad days. The hardest part is that our families are not here or my very best friends. I also don't have a job and finding one has been a true challenge. My kids are in school all day and I work out and find a few things to do, but soon enough I find myself going a little crazy with worry and uncertainty.

On Wednesday ( which I believe was a full moon) I cried and cried that day. I was even at the gym on the treadmill running and the tears just started to flow. I was wishing for my old life back....my family, my friends, and my teaching job.

I know that when we decided to take on this adventure it was going to be hard, but now that I am living it, I just can't believe how lonely I am somedays. I am greatful for the evenings because I have my husband and kids around me.

I am a very social person and have been doing a lot of different things so I can meet people and hope this very strange place feels more like home.

I know that in time it will get better and I have met some really great neighbors who have invited me to a Girls Night Out. I am looking forward to laughter and creating new friendships.

No more sad posts....sometimes I feel bad venting this to my family and best friends at home...they probally get sick of me talking about the same old stuff.

Cheers to a great weekend and the DVR that awaits me. :)

Where Oh Where Have I Been

I again am such a slacker....I said I was going to be blogging again and I quit.



Well...I have been going through some things and I know that my posts would of been depressing and repetitive or reporting the same ole thing. So, I will get everyone caught up and let you know where I ended up! Here it goes....

We sold our house in Wisconsin in July. I made a mad dash to Minnesota to find a house that we could move into by the end of August. That was so hard because the moving part was such a killer for me. It was such a hard decision and if I think about it today...I still get sad and emotional.

• This is the new house...I am working hard to make it my home.

I didn't find a job and that has been a struggle for me, because teaching is one of my passions and not to have a classroom for the first time in 16 years has been very emotional for me. I have spent many nights waking up in panic attacks and tears. I am trying very hard to get in somewhere and somehow...I am volunteering at my daughter's elementary school and trying to network as much as possible. Because I really want to have a classroom once again.

I've joined the Y because I am such a work out nut that I know that would be a great place for me to meet people. I am still running and am training to run the Monster Dash here in the Twin Cities of Minnesota.

The kids are all involved in sports and meeting many new friends.

I am greatful for nice neighbors that invited us to come to a bonfire and game day for the kids. I am believing that this is the right neighborhood for us.

More to come and some catching up to do for me!!