Rob, Naarah and Paul are bragging about their Saturn's to the Saturn Guy stuck trying to hand out Saturn Bags at the Art Fair. By the way, Saturn was in Retrograde of Ford that day. 

MOOSE!!!! Ann Arbor ART FAIR. Paul L, Naarah and I wandered around most of the day. Rob joined us later. This Moose is made out of Rusty nails, that gave him the color. For those who want to know, the orc guy in armor behind the moose is Anatomically correct. lol 

Here we are at Carrie's house, enjoying a bit of cake and LOTS OF FOOD. We were celebrating Naarah's birthday. For the people who never seen this crew before. Carrie on the left, Katie with Honey, Naarah and Rob. 

Changed the Blog Look

Hi, just wanted you to know why I changed the blog look....
My posts were starting to get really long and it seemed that the side bar was making stuff unnecessarily long.
Please let me know if you like, hate, or don't care about how it looks.
Hey, use the comment function...

ON to your regularly scheduled Blog.....

TUESDAY JULY 20

We get a few weeks to Find Tom a Job.......

It's Tuesday morning and I talked to the Principle and a million other people yesterday.  

You obviously want the run down of what I learned.

• After 30 days we get $2000 for moving there.
• You have a choice of joining the teachers union.  I guess there are some perks, one with a credit union that is immediate.
• Health insurance is a ppo an you add the spouse for a little money.
• If I accept the job, then they will put the thumb screws to who ever Tom applies with to make him a priority candidate.  The Chamber of Commerce feels that new teachers are really important and work to make the rest of the companies help get the spouse or adult age children jobs.
• The school is in a decent section of town.  I found a lot of interesting looking apartment complexes in that area.
• Every single person I spoke to from the school district was really nice and helpful.  They did everything to make it seem easy to work there and worth the trouble to get there.

So, now what happens....  After talking to a lot of people, I finally called the principle back.  I told him that we are interested in moving there, but it depends of if we can get Tom a job.  He was VERY understanding and said that it would now be between myself and the personnel department as to deciding what to do.  He will forward my name to personnel and ask that I be checked to fill the position that he has open.  They will then send me a letter offering me the job. (OR NOT)  I highly doubt that they wouldn't send an offer.

I must use the time before the letter gets here wisely.  We need to book on trying to find Tom a job.  I spent a whole lot of time working on that yesterday too.  I guess I need to find a head hunter or something.  hmmmm

Other Blog news....   If you notice after each entry there is a little notice about writing a comment.  Many of the people that read my blog know each other.  So, I thought it would be fun for you to write a comment that others could read and I could acknowledge.  I think I set it up that anyone can do a comment.  It doesn't have to be elaborate or anything.  You can alo go back to other posts and do comments on them.    The blog could feel a little less one sided if people make comments.

Hope to manage to see most of you soon.

Tammy and Tom

SUNDAY JULY 18

Well, we haven't made a full decision yet.
I am so pleased to see how many of you looked at the blog and responded to it.  Thanks.
Tom is fairly sure that we just couldn't get everything done in time to make it reasonable to go.  Basically I want to tell them to give us a couple weeks to see if we could come up with a job for Tom.  Our biggest concern right now would be to get the basement redone and fixed to rent or sell the house to go.
Ah yes, a decent idea shared with us.  Rent the house till next June, then if we decide to stay, sell the house; or if we decide to come back to Michigan, we'd still have our home.  Know anyone who wants to rent a house in Wixom..... lol
I think it would be great to go.  Tom likes the idea of the weather, and yes he does like the heat.  I may have more trouble adjusting to that.  Although, I could probably ride my bike a few more months out of the year there. :~)
Thinking of you all.
Tammy
 

FRIDAY JULY 16 - 5 AM

You're asking yourself, "Why on earth is she writing a post at 5am?"  (So, Michael can make fun of my spelling all he wants.)
NO, that is not why.  I woke up when Tom left for work and then I couldn't get back to sleep; I am a little excited and my brain is going a million miles an hour.

I got offered a teaching position in LAS VEGAS, NV.

The principle of a school called yesterday to do a phone interview.  We talked for at least a 1/2 hour and he offered me a job.  I told him that I really had to talk to my husband about it and that it would be a few days before I could answer.

Of course, now we have to figure out what we are going to do.  I want to go.  There is no question in my mind, that this is a great opportunity.  Las Vegas is a growing city, (it has it's own problems too I know) and the possibilities for keeping a teaching job are much higher there, than here in Michigan right now.  And I don't think the situation in Michigan is going to get better in One year.

Our biggest concern right now is getting a job for Tom.  He would like to be a Parole officer and well, he has to pass the physical agility tests to get into that... ewwww.  He might try the gaming commission, or even security at the casinos.  We are trying to figure out what to do. 

  Here is the High School I got offered the job for.....  http://ccsd.net/schools/cheyenne/

 

A rather large school, he said over 2000 students.  It looks to be a newer school and they have a good sports program, and did you see the million clubs?

We have a lot of thinking and work to do this weekend.......

 

By the way - the carpet got cleaned and oh did the basement stink yesterday.  I have no idea what it is like today.  Tomorrow we get to decide if the carpet has to go.

Talk to you all later,   Tammy

 

Tuesday, July 13th

Happy Wedding Anniversary. 3 months.
The ServPro people with the drying equipment came out yesterday and agreed with me that everything is not dry. The basement still smells and well, its just ugly.
They decided to leave the equipment a few more days and discuss our concerns with the claims adjuster.
I got the film pictures developed and posted the water ones. I wish Tom would have got a shot of the laundry room and bathroom. Oh well, can't get everything.
Had to get a new printer so that I could get the lists done. Isn't that a bummer. So, I spent time at costco yesterday getting what I could. Much better deals than any of the computer stores. Not much choice, but exact price range, so there ya go.
Garbage guys come tomorrow, so I have work to do today. I spent hours yesterday looking up prices of stuff. Wow, talk about a pain. Got to get that list done.
Anyone want to buy an explorer. Oh my, I have to get that sold.
Later
Tammy

Another section with big losses. There is a power strip on the floor behind the tv and everything. When I picked it all up, the plugs were oxidized (is that right) into the strip. So, the directv box got it, the stereo got it (expecially the speakers) and the TV. Oh yeah, on the bottom shelf there is an editing VCR. UGH Hmm, notice the floating books. (sigh) 

Here ya go. I finally got some pictures off the film camera. This is the view coming down the stairs . As you can see, the water made it all the way to the far wall. 

This is the corner where my computer equipment lives. You can't see the one power strip on the floor - where the printer is on the right of the screen.. Unfortunetly, everything plugged into that strip got fried. The printer included. 

Well, it is Sunday

The equipment has been running in the basement almost 4 full days now. I have to say that it does smell better down there. They are supposed to come clean the carpet and get the equipment tomorrow. I certainly hope it's with a chemical dry stuff.
I am still a little worried about the mold possibility.
The air conditioner has been running solid since Saturday afternoon, we made a boo boo and left the windows open a little too long, it got into the high 80's on Saturday. The upstairs is tolerable. Certainly better than outside.
I'm not sure if it has been the traveling or all the work, or the fact I have a big sunburn now, but I am really tired. Tom has been napping a tad bit also. He has been working a lot, but i'm not quite sure what my deal is.
The house was full of people on Friday. Everyone came to see the diaster zone. Jane came to visit, Rob and Naarah came to help and we all wound up haveing pizza. Jane's husband Scott even stopped by to give us an estimate on drywalling the basemetn. We have a couple walls that really should be redone.
Today's good news is that we relocated a network cable into the spare bedroom closet and now I have access to the network and internet. My big monitor survived and I am evaluating the rest of the computer equipment. I know I have lost a few things for sure.
It's weird to have a window I can see out of and I can actually use my cell phone while on the computer. Oh my, I best not get too attatched.
I think it is going to take me the rest of the summer to deal with everything. I guess it's good that Tom is getting overtime.
Have a good night. I should add new pictures tomorrow.
Tammy

Well, here is the equipment that was brought to the house to help with our flooded basement. Wednesday morning Tom called me to say come home. The hot water heater broke and dumped tons of water in the basement. Got a good 8 inches over most of the stuff. I lost lots of things and we are going to fight for new walls. Mostly a finished basement. I'll keep ya updated. 

OH NO - WATER

Oh my - It not even 7:30am and I have trouble.
I will be leaving my parents house today, after Tom called at 5:15am and told me there is water in the basement.
The only goodnews about that - 1. I have my BIG computer down here with me in Chattanooga. 2. It is clear water out of the tap. No sewage - thank god.
Bad news. 1. My other computer is sure to be dead. 2. The phones are out??? Thank goodness for cell phones. 3. Ewww the mess, there is carpet down there. AND all my stuff for school....
So, I am packing up right now to leave.
I figured I would post, because if the phone is out, I won't be posting at home anytime soon.
Tom is calling a plumber right now, and he at least got the water shut off and is getting the drains open.
I will be playing cleaning lady for the next week I guess. Lets hope the sun is out - so I can dry stuff.
later
Tammy :~(

Here is a closer picture of the fish. We had a heck of a time getting him in. He was so big we couldn't get the net around him. 

HOLY Smokes - Look at that fish. Yes he is a 2 foot carp. I caught him as the huge rain storm was ending. There was hail and wind and lightning. We just sat it out on the boat. As usual.......  

Careful with those poles guys. 

Mom and Dad out to see the Fireworks on the 4th of July. 

July 6th

Wow, it's Tuesday and we are still going like crazy.
Got a few pictures from the 4th and a couple of mom's flowers that finally came in. I think the bumble bees are keeping the yucky beetles from eating those flowers. The other plants are not looking so great.
The Guys went fishing all day yesterday in the 91 degree heat. The ladies went shopping and stormed the Hobby Lobby Grand Opening near the mall. Wow, that is a cool store.
The Hawaii videos are still giving me major problems. I decided to skip the one and try to get the other to work. If that doesn't work, I'm going to have to re-import a bunch of the movie. EWWWWWW
Have a great day. I should be going home some time this week.
Tam

Uncle Ken enjoying a day fishing. 

Dad and Pat 

Mom's Stargazers. They look really good and the bumble bees really like them. 

If you don't remember this is my brother Michael. Yep, he plays guitare and is quite good at it.  

Mike and Chris the ultimate fishermen. lol 

I'm a pepper, he's a pepper, don't you want to be a pepper too. 

Michael caught two fish, here's one. We all had a fairly crappy fishing day. 

Michael felt that I must claim Chris as my catch of the day. 

WARNING - this picture might disturb you. Yes, that is a fish hook sticking out of Chris's head. 

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

It has been an interesting weekend to say the least.
Yesterday - July 3rd was MY (Tammy's)birthday. We had a break in the weather and spent the day out of the boat. Micheal and Chris showed up at 2am and then Aunt Pat and Uncle Ken arrived in Chattanooga around 5pm.
The fishing was ok. Michael caught two, dad caught one and I caught - well I caught - Chris.
Those faint of heart may not want to look at the picture of Chris' head too closely. Aunt Pat was squealing, "The worm was wiggling on his head."
At least it was a plastic worm and I hadn't caught one fish all day. So yes, I nailed Chris in the head with a fish hook. Everyone here is just having a field day over it. Chris is a really good sport and claims that it really didn't hurt.
The good news is Jay was home and he brought over some numbing stuff, cut it off and got it out. Saving about $400 in a trip to the hospital.
Today - the 4th. The guys went out on the dock this morning fishing and didn't seem to catch much of anything. I stayed here and slaved over more Hawaii videos. Mom is still working on the stencil. It looks pretty good. Pat, Mom and I took a little break and ran to the store. Walmart look out.
Tonight we are going out on the boat to watch the Fireworks that everyone sets off over the lake.
Have a great 4th and we'll see you later.
Tammy

Traveling Tammy visits the Adamson household in Atlanta Georgia. We realized a little late we forgot to take pictures, so Keagy fell asleep.  

Say Hello to Chris and Kelly Adamson. Whisper to Keagy.... :~) 

Ben Sprayberry, quite a ham and just as cute as can be. 

Wow it is Thursday already.

Well, it is Raining AGAIN. I would guess that it has rained some everyday that I have been here. Just a warning to those of you coming down this weekend. Wednesday it rained all day. Dad and I watched it rain from the boat dock. Quotes from dad, "Fisherman lie - "Of course they bite when it's raining;" and "Mother nature is a bitch."
Woke up today and still it is raining. I visited the Sprayberry household last night. Kenny (Harphey) is our guild leader from Everquest. I even met the alusive Dave (Hnash). He doesn't talk much, and you wondered why he doesn't answer tells.
Patti and I had a great time talking about everything and I hope to get together with her again before I bail from town.
Time to get some more videos done. and Eat - yes Food is abundant here..... lol

Whats the point of seeing two cute kids if you don't get your picture taken with them. :~) 

I finally visited the Sprayberry Household. The proud daddy (Ken) would also be known as Harphey/Larphey ..... Ben and William are quite adorable as you can see..