I've Been So Busy I Haven't Been Able to Blog

It's been a crazy month of May for my family and me. 

I am still looking for full-time work after budget cuts cost me my former full-time job, back in April. I am working near full-time at Mardel Christian Stores; however, at just over minimum wage, it is just under half of what I was making per month at my last job. 

I have signed up to take an additional Teaching Certification in Math. I took a practice test today and only got 3 out of 30 correct. Oh yea, forgot to tell you I signed up to take a Math 8-12 Grade test. I didn't even understand the question on the questions concerning upper level Trigonometry and Calculus. Because of my poor showing I changed the test I am taking from Math 8-12 to Math 4-8. This only covers levels up to Algebra and Geometry with a hint of basic Trigonometry. I take the test in late June. Wish me luck. 

I have filled out applications for three school districts; Kilgore College, and at least 4 other places that are not education institutions. So far no takers except I do need to write an official letter of interest for the Kilgore Collge job and mail it to them. I will do that as soon as I finish this blog. 

My kids start their last week of the school year next week. They only go three days (not counting Monday -- Memorial Day) then it's Summer fun. Next year Caleb will be a Freshman in High School (is he really that old?) and Rachel will be a 7th Grader. We have already been given the speech about how we should join the Band Booster Club and support our Band students. The fun is just starting. 

I have also been feeling sick and puny a lot recently. I missed Monday because of an upset stomach and general aches and pains. Today, I went to work only to throw up in the customer bathroom. I hope it is not the Swine Flu. Today's illness I am going to blame on some bad food. I hope I am feeling better and back to work on Monday. I have tomorrow off anyway. 

I also need to make some major life-style changes. I have been watching my beautiful bride, Jamie, do a total nutritional/diet change over the past few weeks. She is healthier, and loosing some excess pounds she has been wanting to get rid of. I too need to take charge of my food addiction and change my life-style. Getting older is not easier and I need to take care of myself before my blood-pressure and cholesterol take care of me for good. 

Out of my recently posted list of movies I want to watch, I did watch Star Trek. It was good. I am interested to see what they do with the new time-line they established. Oops, did I ruin the plot?

There Goes My Social Security & Medicaid

Hmmmm! It seems that Social Security and Medicaid will run out of money during my lifetime. This is hardly a surprise. I wonder where all the money has gone? Can you spell government bail-out and other misuse of our tax money over the years? When you spend our hard earned tax dollars on crappy programs and give it away to failing companies or individuals who don't deserve it, what do you think is going to happen. I wish I could tell the government not to take Social Security or Medicaid taxes out of my pay checks. If they are not going to spend my tax dollars correctly then they don't deserve to have it. 

Happy Mother's Day - 2009

Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful and beautiful bride, Jamie!

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD." - ESV

Thank you for being a great mother to our two terrific kids! I love you, Always! 

May Day Update

As most of you know I have been working part-time at  Mardel Christian & Education Stores for about two weeks now. 

We were supposed to open this coming Monday, but due to God's blessings 

and hard work, we actually opened on Friday at 4 p.m. In the 4 hours we were open

we made over $3,000. Wow!

I am still looking for full-time work and am hoping to get back into the public 

schools if possible.

I am still waiting to see if my former student, and Dallas Cowboy draft pick,

Manuel Johnson, was injured or not in the recent collapse of the Cowboys

training facility.

Around the house, not much else is going on with English family. If I had a

little more time, I might actually write something of profound thought and

meaning; alas, time escapes me.

Congratulations Manuel Johnson

With the 229th pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, The Dallas Cowboys selected Wide Receiver, Manuel Johnson from the University of Oklahoma!

Why would I care about the 229th pick of the NFL Draft? Manuel Johnson is a former student of mine. I was his 8th Grade U.S. History teacher at Bruce Jr. High School in Gilmer, TX. Manuel is a bright student and a superb athlete. As with almost all of my former students, I sort of think of Manuel as being an extension of my own family. I watched the NFL Draft in its entirety for the first time ever, just looking for his name. Finally he was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys.

Manuel has grown into an excellent young man. I pray that he continues to work hard and that he doesn't forget his small town roots. I am proud of him. 

Maybe he can get me some tickets to watch him play at the new Cowboys Stadium. Tickets there are very expensive.

In the Mafia & Job Update

As a member of Facebook, I am often asked to join many of the application games that Facebook & Friends has to offer. I have turned down many of them, but one I joined recently is Mafia Wars. It is yet another very addictive game, much like Mouse Hunt. Currently I am at level 13 and trying to fend off various mob attacks from rival mobs. I have 14 members in my family, counting me. 

I am still working part-time at Mardel Christian Stores in Longview and I have put out several applications at local school districts. I am hoping to take the Math certification test in June so I can teach Math. If I pass that test, I will almost certainly be able to choose which school I wish to work for, as all the local districts are looking for good Math teachers.