Contents Under Pressure

For those of you who do not know, Blaine and I are currently acting as legal guardians for Blaine's cousin, Asher. Asher moved in with us just three days after our carpet was installed. He is a pretty fantastic soul, kind and respectful, and Blaine and I have very little to complain about. It's just... an adjustment. Our first year of marriage is very different than I planned. 

I did not plan to renovate the entire upstairs of an enormous home.

I did not plan to bring a teenage boy in my home and worry about him.

(I did not plan to own a home at all, and I did not plan to worry about anyone but Blaine).   :)

And yet, here I am. 

On Wednesday evening Asher's two little brothers came to visit for the weekend. They left today at about 1:00 PM. All weekend long I have had a house with three boys, 10, 12, and 16. And Blaine. I felt very outnumbered, and I am sick of preparing food and washing dishes and entertaining. I feel a bit like a mother, and it is tiring. I am not sure how women work full time and mother full time at the same time.

A few days ago I was soaking in the tub, blessedly. I forgot to grab my book so instead I was reading the back of my shaving cream. Of everything on the back, the words that stood out: Contents under pressure. No kidding. I feel you.

An Editorial

My students asked me to write an editorial for this month's Clarion. It probably won't go to print, but will be judged blindly with the other editorials written by the newspaper staff. I'm not sure if they will be able to tell it's mine. :)

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Airports have been in the national spotlight lately. An increase in security has required travelers to make a choice:  undergo a full-body scan, or be subjected instead to pat downs that some say are too invasive.

In the blogosphere people have been joking about traveling naked to solve the issue once and for all. At the Salt Lake International Airport, an “exasperated” father removed his young son’s shirt as airport screeners demanded a pat down before the boy could process through security. A video of the whole scene was recorded by a UVU student and has now gone viral on YouTube. 

The airport screening process won't change much as long as the terrorism threat to airlines remains unchanged. The truth is, as a nation we are terrified about underwear bombers and a repeat of the 9/11 attacks. Because of this, there are some stringent (and strange) policies being implemented.

I’ve heard people refer to school as a prison, making reference to how strict it seems to be. The truth is, those in power are making choices for our safety, which makes me wonder: what if schools adopted airport policies?

If schools were like airports:

a)     We would all have to arrive to school three hours early, just in case.

b)    Class could be delayed at any time without warning.

c)     Students would have to stand in lines outside of each class to check in.

d)    All people would turn off their cell phones at the door.

e)     We would all be required to have the right documentation (completed assignments, etc). If not, we would be sent to the back of the line and not allowed in the room.

f)     We would be served “mid-class” snacks, for a small fee.

g)    If one of us looked suspicious, we could be searched on the spot. Any safety violation would be reported to Homeland Security.

We sometimes think that school policy is a little harsh, but really, we have it pretty nice. Just ask the northern Michigan man who was humiliated recently by a Detroit Metro Airport security pat down that ended up spilling urine onto his shirt and pants from a urostomy bag under his clothing. We have it pretty easy.

A Lovely Time

We have had a lovely go at things lately. Jace has been in the high school musical, "The Music Man" and I have really enjoyed seeing him on stage. Whenever I watch a show I am reminded of how much joy I have found on stage. I miss it.

We have been working a bit on the house and trying to make it more beautiful. This weekend I found a little wooden plaque that I thought was funny. It reads, "It's not the house I love, but the life that is lived there." It makes me giggle because Blaine and I talk all the time about the fact that I have not really fallen in love with our house yet. I don't love the house, but I am working on it. I do love having a home and a husband and a career. I love cooking dinner in a kitchen that is permanent. I love my new pretty fridge and the carpet that we chose.

Came home today to a clean house, smelling of a tasty stew that my husband made. Now, a blog post before I settle in for the night.

I'm Tired

I am a tired woman. My life is full of all good things but I still lapse into temporary crankiness.

Last week was a beast. JHS had Red Ribbon week, our second Clarion was published, and National Honor Society hosted a food drive dance. It was the last week of the quarter, which adds to the stress of the week. On Friday and Saturday I went to Ephraim for the Spooky Snow Speak Off. I travelled by bus and I was half way there when I realized that I had $14 in my pocket to feed me for the whole weekend. Thank goodness that I have a sister who lives on campus!

Saturday we had a Halloween party in Nephi and our friends came down from Provo. Asher (our kind of sort of foster son) and his little brother Daniel were also around, and we stayed up late eating tasty treats and watching The Carriers (treats and gore don't really go together, FYI).

Sunday was a Cook family get together and I had a great time.

Today, I feel super unappreciated, for no real reason. Sigh. Is it bed time yet?