Fireman Cadet Widow Days #19

Well, it's been 19 days now and we're doing okay. I finally got into the swing of cleaning and ironing uniforms pretty much every night to keep up with allowing Einar to have one uniform to wear and one in case the instructors decide to be jerks and want to inspect their extra uniform. This hasn't happened yet, but it's become a matter of pride for me that I can keep it up just in case. Wouldn't want Einar to have to do any unnecessary push-ups, now would we?:) I've also become adept at fixing the 15 lunches that it takes to get us both through the week- 1 lunch for me and a lunch and a supper for Einar each day. I think we should buy stock in PB&J!
I've found out through the course of making so many lunches and also having my coffee ready in the morning (Einar's now off coffee--even though I switched to decaf-- because apparently the instructors told them it's like "crack in a cup". Instructors=God) that those few times Einar thought it would be really funny to have the dogs chase a laser have caught up with Joey. Now it is a joy to have light glint of the knife when I'm making sandwiches and the water in the coffee caraffe. It's the kind of bark that sneaks up on me even when I know it is coming. I've watched The Dog Whisperer--actually one of my favorite shows-- and I knew that you shouldn't have dogs chase a laser, but did Einar listen to my pleadings, no. And I'm the one who's here putting up with the crazy barking at the light reflections. I've tried a couple of techniques featured on the show to help obsessive dogs, but nothing really seems to help and allow me to continue my duties at the same time since it's just me. Any suggestions?
I also need to start taking the dogs for a walk or something when I first get home from school so that I have something to do outside home. Dad and Mom have been really sweet to have me over anytime I want to come over. Usually on Fridays I've been able to go over and visit with the two of them and sit in the hot tub with Mom, which has really helped with the stress. But I think I need to probably get out of the house on a daily basis, even just for about 30-45 minutes on a walk to the park by our house. I think I'll start that on Monday... let you know how it goes.
Another new thing for us is that we're no longer trying to get pregnant. I'm back on the pill as per doctor's orders and timing issues. The doctor is hoping going back on the pill for a few months will help regulate me again and make it easier for us to conceive when we start trying again. I'm thinking it's a good idea because Einar really doesn't have very much time right now and I'd probably end up doing most of the first few months stuff on my own. Even though he says that it wouldn't bother him, I really think in retrospect he would wish that he could have been there-- especially for the first one. So I think the doc's orders are perfectly fine for this season of our lives. We'll probably begin trying again when he graduates the Academy in June. Until then, hello happier Stacey! I really think I'll be a great pregnant person because I'm always a much more balanced person on the pill. And right now is a great time to be balanced!
Another really cool thing is that the powers that be finally decided it was in the best interests of me and my other students that they remove two students from my worst class! Then another bad one moved! It is wonderful now. That class is one of my best classes actually-- I knew if just a few were removed, it would improve the whole climate of the classroom-- it's wonderful to finally have been listened to! Now I just have to really work on my 3rd period Pre-AP class. They're really not up where they need to be as a Pre-AP class. I think this is due in part to only about 5 out of 25 students actually being Pre-AP material and part due to the fact that there is a serious lack of maturity among the students in this class. I think many are going to have their noses bent out of shape in the next two weeks when card run takes place and they see that they're in regular English 1 for next year. Oh well. They were warned.
So that's what is happening 19 days into our 19 week Fire Academy committment. Go Team Phillips!