January 2023

January was a tricky month for our little family.  Damon left on December 30th and spent the full month on the Nimitz (https://waterytimes.blogspot.com/2023/02/nimitz.html). Thankfully I was done with school and not working so I made it through.  I spent the month trying to process paperwork to be a substitute with DoDEA and then simultaneously applying for a full-time position with GDOE.  I sent a message to one of my professors asking about working with GDOE and then found out that she is friends with the principal at the middle school closest to base, but that just the next day was the last day for the existing 8th grade science teacher.  Fascinating coincidence.  Nothing confirmed by the end of the month though. I got my initial teaching license from Guam.  To get a full license I have to work for 2 years with Guam so I am not sure how that will work since we only have one year left in the orders.  Another year so far from family is difficult. It seems that each move gets more and more variables to consider. I kept myself busy with Damon away and then having lots of time on my hands.  The boys still went to SAC after school because they love going and get to play with all their friends.  I got a power washer for the day from the self-help office and got the driveway and back patio all sparkling.  We had our water supply to the house only through our backyard hose so the water pressure went to poo. I think that's why my power washing took so long. I kinda broke their hose splitter thing so it was a relief when they got the connection properly hooked up. They are replacing all the water lines throughout the neighborhood so our neighbor's front yard across the street was really torn up. I think I will see about getting another power washer to get the stuff off the roofline of the house.  I also replaced the bathroom caulk because the existing stuff was super full of mold.  There is a half-inch gap on one side so it took up a lot of caulk.  I learned a new method with painters tape so my edges look nice and sharp.  Good enough for government work. I was even so egar to clean that I totally waxed Jimny.  A vehicle with runs streaks parking in front of my house is embarrassing so I took care of it.  It is amazing how quickly saltwater rusts things out.  Milton lost another tooth and was super excited to get a dollar coin.  I am still bummed he lost his tooth holder I got from Germany back before he was even born.  Owen got to go on a field trip to Underwater World.  That is his first field trip since he was in Kindergarden.  He was really nervous the day before but then we talked with his teacher and his class reassured him that it would be fun.  His teacher sent me a picture of Owen on the bus with a huge grin so by the time he was getting going he was a happy little guy.  The van hit 60k which is exciting to pretty much only me.