Tina Blogs About It All

It seems as though there is a lot of catching up that needs to be done on this blog - a lot of stuff is happening around Casa Fifty Below!  All of it has happened in a few short summer days, when things are supposed to be slow and lazy.  So much for easing our way back into reality from vacation!

First, the good news - I have full-time employment for next year!  WOO HOO!!!  I had an interview on Thursday morning for an elementary band position in my current district, which when combined with my elementary music job, gives me full-time status.  'Bout time, is all I have to say.  Now, if they can just keep me for one more year, I'll have my tenure.....

Now, the not-so-good news - we've been having some nasty summer storms in the Northlands! On Friday night it rained, hailed, and blew a hell of a mess into our yard.  We were hoping for some serious hail that would damage our siding and roof to the point of insurance replacement (without damaging our beautiful new windows!), but alas, Mother Nature had other plans for our landscape.

One of our backyard trees lost a pretty big branch.  Mitch got most of it cleaned up, but to cut the rest of the dangling part down might take out a large chunk of the tree.  Stay tuned for whether or not the tree has to go, or whether it can be saved.  Let's hope we can keep it - Gizmo's new (but gently used from The Mrs.'s garage sale - thanks!) swing just got installed!

Our garden also took a pretty good hit, as you can see from my tomato and corn plants that got practically bowled over with wind and rain.

Finally, the really bad news - Gizmo is sick, again.  This time, she's been diagnosed with roseola, a common viral disease that should hopefully have run its course by Wednesday.  She's been awfully irritable, has run a fever, is choosing not to eat and sleep, and has a nasty-looking rash.  Poor thing was put through the wringer at the doctor's office on Saturday, as they suspected it was a bladder infections, and so she was poked and prodded for blood and urine samples, and then given a shot.  It was ugly.  Luckily, she hasn't lost the ability to flash a smile when the camera is on her.

Such a ham, that one is.

Here's to hoping that this week is a little bit slower than the last few days!