A rambling missive

I went in to discuss my new job requirements today, and I have to say, I am so genuinely happy to be working at this place. First of all, I will have 4 different courses to teach, but each section will have maybe 8-10 students in it. This will give me much more time to work with each student individually, to really understand them and nurture them on their way to becoming lovers of literature. I brought home a pile of books about 2 feet high to go through and choose the works I want to include in my syllabi for each course, and I am so excited about getting to do that! I'm not stuck in one type of literature or stuck teaching only grammar, and I will get a chance to watch these young people grow and learn. I guess I'm meant to be a teacher after all!

Tomorrow morning, we are making an offer on a home. I really, really hope we get our first choice, and I really, really hope the woman who owns the home will agree to the things we ask for. Because I really like her house and want to make it ours, but there are some things we're not so handy with so we need her to fix them before we can agree to buy the home. I look forward to painting, pulling up carpet, clipping back shrubs, enclosing the yard, and all the things people do to make a house their own. I watch HGTV religiously to get ideas, and have lots for this new place. (I also will need lots of help and will be soliciting for supplies and labor in a couple of weeks!!!) I've chosen paint colors and found several kitchen sets that I like, flooring, appliances.... I should probably stay out of Home Depot:)

Mainly, I am thankful for the way things are going lately. I've had such a tough year so far and am really glad that things seem to be going in a positive direction now. My mom is going to come to town in July for a few days, then take Madeline back to Florida with her while we move. I'll go down to Florida shortly before I start work to get Maddie and bring her to her new home, and we will start a new chapter of our lives. Thanks to everyone who's been thinking of us and keeping us in their prayers as far as my job goes.

Now, who wants to help us paint? Remember, free beer!!!