I’m happy, but I’m so stressed.  Many things have been weighing on my mind this past winter.  So I was definitely ready to start Spring.  We flipped the mattress and changed the bedding in our room.  I put the spring/summer bathroom accessories and towels up.  Now I need to take the winter dishes out of my grandma’s china cabinet in the kitchen.  The weather is still chilly so we’ll probably need to use some extra blankets on the bed, but I needed the feel of fresh beginnings. 
My school district went through quite a hard time these past few months.  There were budget cuts, and for at least 2 months, I was afraid I might lose my job.  What a perfect time for that scare to occur!  We closed on our new home in middle November and the district announced budget cuts and layoffs in middle December.  Layoffs have come and gone, and I still have my job.  It’s good to know that 3 years seniority is keeping me safe.  I have quite a few new teachers under me so I should be fine.  I have entertained the idea, after this scare, that I might spend my entire career in South Milwaukee.  Why risk losing seniority, sick days and great benefits?  We’ll see.  I still have many years to go.
Grad school is keeping me quite busy.  Even with just one class a semester, the reading is extensive, and I am giving my best effort into the papers.  I am just finishing my first paper for my current class.  The first of 4 big projects that she is requiring of us.  I just have to stay on top of things – I can do that! 
We are buying a puppy.  His name is Jackson.  I liked that name for a little boy of my own, but Steve doesn’t like the name Jack so he let me name the dog Jackson because he said he’d never let me name our child it.  We pick him up on Wednesday night.  He is costing us a pretty penny for this day and time.  We are not struggling, but we do want to have a bigger cushion.  Jackson will set us back $600, not including all of his accessories – carrier, leash, Harley Davidson collar, brush, toys, dishes, etc.  Steve is so excited.  He has never owned a dog before so this will be fun for him.  I will enjoy it too, but right now I’m a little concerned about my allergies.  Dogs still bother me every now and then.  I’m hoping that hand washing and keeping him out of most rooms will help me feel somewhat normal.  I would hate to have to get rid of him because of my allergies, but I doubt it will come to that.
The U.S. has gone to war with Iraq.  Thursday night marked the beginning so it’s been about 3 days now.  We’ve lost five soldiers since I last heard.  I definitely do not oppose the war.  We need to do this to ensure our freedom for years to come.  Many have opposed it, and there have been several large protests throughout the country including Chicago and San Francisco.  Through it all, we go about our daily lives – teaching, working, reading, sleeping.