And the pre-conference confessions begin. This morning Max spilled his guts about all the naughty things he has been doing at school. First, he said that he is bugging the kid next to him by humming. The kid tells on him so the teacher has to tell him to stop. Then, he got bored and mad while they were making leaf books so he scribbled angrily all over his. The teacher wrote on the book that she was very disappointed in him. Prompting Max to run home and throw the book in the garbage without letting us see it. He normally worries and tells us more than the teacher ever does, so conferences should be interesting.

I went to the Eyes Wide Open Exhibit today at St. Kate’s. It was so powerful. I don’t know what I was expecting. I didn’t realize it was going to be so personal. There were pictures and letters and other memorial items attached to some of the boots. It was just so amazing. They also have a labyrinth made of shoes with the names of the Iraqi civilians who were killed in war. Amazing. The exhibit ended today, but the labyrinth will be there for awhile so if you are in the area and have the time, stop by St. Kate’s and check it out. I also ran into one of my past social work professors while I was there. I has to maintain my composure as I introduced her to Ben and the kids. She was one of the people who volunteer to read the names of the soldiers and civilians killed in the war.

Bob Mould rocked last night! I’ve seen him a couple of times, but I would say last night the best. He was so full of energy! He was completely flirting with the crowd and so full of energy! The only down side was the six 35-year-old Frat boys in front of me who were so freakin’ irritating. I wanted to take Ben’s gigantic beer bottle and hit the guys over the head with it. I’m not even sure if they were there to see Bob or not. Just like the Rock for Karl, there was a good mix of old and young in the crowd. I even saw one guy wearing a denim Alan Jackson coat. Crazy!!!

Ugh-I have to start the whole work thing again tomorrow. I hate being a grown-up. It’s so sad to me that I have to do this for the next 30+ years. Maybe I’ll start playing the lottery. No, really, I do enjoy working. And I’m sure I will love my job more once I get out of training and start getting to know everyone. And I know I will love the paychecks. Jodi gave me some tips on how to overcome the afternoon blahs. Hopefully it will work because coffee isn’t doing the trick.

I’m exhausted. This whole job thing is crazy. I really like it, but I can’t believe how tired I am everyday. It doesn’t help that I’m not sleeping all that well because I’m nervous about over sleeping. I wonder how long it will take me to adjust to this schedule. I’m struggling to manage things at home too. It’s going to take me awhile to figure out how to manage everything. I’ve always said that being a stay at home Mom is easier than being a working Mom. I have to now do all the stuff I used to do in 4-6 hours rather than having all day to get it done. I feel like I’ve hardly spend any time with Ben and the kids. I’m completely disconnected from everything that is going on at home. I know that after a month or so, it’ll be all settled, but for now it’s just crazy. It’s good crazy though. I really like the job and my co-workers and everything so far so I won’t complain too much.

An article from the Star Tribune about Wal-Mart

Discontent with Wal-Mart is registering in Minnesota

Maybe we’ll start seeing some changes soon…

Tomorrow’s the big day. I start my new job! I have a little bit of a head cold so it’s a good thing I’ll be spending most of Monday and Tuesday in general orientation. Then on Wednesday, I will be training with the Social Worker. Hopefully, I will be able to shake this cold by then. Overall, I’m excited, but I’m also a little nervous. It’s just going to be so different having to work everyday. I look forward to joining the real world, but I will miss my old life. I still have to go shopping for more “business” clothes which is so hard. I’m such a jeans and sweatshirt type of person so it’s really hard to find dress clothes that I like and feel comfortable in. The kids will be going to before school childcare. They are pretty excited although Jaycie says she is a little nervous. This is a whole new experience for all of us. I’m sure in a month we won’t even remember our old ways, but for not I’m sad, nervous, excited and anxious all at once. I doubt I’ll sleep tonight. Yikes!!!

It completely freaks me out that when people search “naked kiddy pictures” my site comes up because of the one Kare11 Extra I wrote about. I know that writing those words doesn’t help the cause, but I needed to vent about it. There are some weird/sick people out there.

I was so scared when I first stopped working. I was worried about money of course, but I also struggled with being home all day with just the kids. I missed interacting with adults every day. I forgot how to maneuver around the office and make small talk. After 5 years, this is my final week of being a stay at home Mom. I have mixed emotions over the whole thing. I’m anxious to work, but I feel sad leaving the life that I had. I’ll miss being able to volunteer at school every week. I enjoyed getting to know Jaycie’s classmates and teacher last year. I also feel bad for the kids that I can’t volunteer because Jaycie loved it so much and Max was looking forward to it. I’m sure once I’m settled into the new job, I will be able to take days off to chaperone a field trip or class party, but it won’t be the same. I’m also looking forward to entering the professional world. I’m excited to start using the skills I learned in school and interacting with other people. Of course, the pay checks will be great too. I have the new car to pay off. So, next week should be interesting.

Guess who got a new car!!!

I’m so excited!