First Day Alone

Well after a fun drive, minus the BORING long drive through New York state on Sunday, unpacking the car, setting up my apartment (what little there was to set up) and going to the grocery store (I always hate that first grocery shopping trip when you are starting from nothing) I am 'settled'. I have found the nearest Target (only 20 minutes away in Keene, NH) the WalMart (only a 5 minute drive across the Connecticut river over the NH border) and my local Redbox (who is my BFF for now), I am starting to feel a little more comfortable in my new home. Not to mention that I absolutely love my surroundings - the beautiful scenery, GREEN everywhere, super friendly people and a busting downtown.

So I had my first day of work today - well it was just technology training but it went well. I met the two other new special ed teachers to the district, and they are older who have worked at other schools in the area. SO - I am officially the youngest teacher in the district and the newest to the teaching profession! Woo Hoo! One of the other teachers I met today though has a sister that is teaching at my school, Newfane Elementary, also and said that the three of us should get together. She asked me what I like to do and I said whatever (I just want to do anything with anyone at this point!) She suggested kayaking - I quickly asked her if this would be for exercise or for fun and she reassured me for fun! So we are going to exchange info tomorrow and set something up.

Also, I just found out that one of my old neighbors is now living in Boston, which is only 2 hours away so I can go visit her maybe. I have my uncle living in New York, New York AND my grandparents close friends live a little bit north of Keene, NH so I kind of know people around here :) ha ha!

As for what I did today - I had the most ridiculous and annoying laundry mat experience. So how many trips does it take to get your laundry done?

Trip 1: I packed up my laundry, put it in my car and headed to WalMart to go pick up some laundry detergent and dryer sheets to start. After wandering through WalMart for an hour (just to DO something and kill a littleb time) I arrived at the laundry mat. I proceeded to put my laundry into two different washing machines, put my money in ($2 each load) and my laundry detergent to get NO result. I of course had closed the washing machines and when they did not start, I began to panic because I thought my laundry was locked into the washers. I looked around to see if there was an office, someone on duty, or even just a sign with a phone number or a procedure for when this kind of thing happens. Nothing. So I walked around a little and went up to an older man who was also doing laundry. I told him I had never been here before and was having issues with my washers. He walks over, checks it, smacks it a few times and told me that this place is not kept up that well and this happens a lot. Great. He showed me how to use a quarter in this little slot thing to at least get my clothes out of the washers and then told me to look for some washers that are wet-ish because they must work then. So I thanked him and finally got my washers to start. I drove home.

Trip 2: Since the laundry mat is a block down the hill from my house, I decided to walk down to switch my laundry. I was pleased to find the washers had done their job and my clothes were done. So I walk up the dryer and put my quarter in (it says 25 cents next to the slot) and press start. I see the temperature pop up (Hi) and the numbers 06. I think nothing of it and decide to walk home 'thinking' it was all set to go.

Trip 3: I decided to drive this time and go to the Redbox first to return my movie I got last night and get another one for tonight (remember, the Redbox is my BFF for now). Once I finish up at the Redbox I stop at the laundry mat (again). I find my clothes had stopped so I opened it up and they were still a little damp. So I put in another quarter and walk around a bit, looking at the bulletin board in the building. A little bit later I notice that the dryer has stopped again. So I go put in another quarter, and another and notice that the littleb 06 is changing to 12 and then 18. OHHHHHHH each quarter is 6 MINUTES - duhhhhh! SO I put in enough for a half hour or so and drive home.

Trip 4: I waited a half hour and finally walked down to the laundry mat again (I could not drive again) and FINALLY my clothes were dry. After taking them out and folding them I walked back home and put them away.

I sure have learned a lot about what not to do when trying to wash clothes at the laundry mat. After many episodes of wanting to slap myself, I finally had some clean clothes.

Well the little cafe I am sitting in, The Works, is closing at 6 - so I am going to head back home to make some dinner and watch my movie (I got Alice in Wonderland finally)!!

Love and miss you all!! :)