How 'bout some more randomosity?

Yes, I am still trying to get "randomosity" into the dictionary, thanks for asking!
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My new niece is here, Amelia Rae. 7 and a half pounds, and perfect. Healthy and everyone who has seen her says she is very cute. I can't wait to go home and see her. We had a bit of a scare with Jess, my brother's fiance, though. After the baby was born they could not get her to stop bleeding and had to do emergency surgery. They were afraid they would lose her. They managed to save her, but she cannot have any more kids...which is hard to take at 19 years old. We are all glad she's doing much better.
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My new favorite website is CakeWrecks.com. Laughs for hours, I promise. Try it.
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I made a pledge this month (well, not at the beginning of the month, but I made the pledge for one month)...for Earth Day. I did not do this because I love Earth Day, I am kind of indifferent to it. I did it because it was a suggestion for a writing prompt that my class was doing.

I pledged to give up disposable plastic water bottles (Pure Life, how I miss you...). For anyone who knows me, this is major. I drink a lot of water...and I like it cold. So tap water has always been difficult, since its not cold. I have tried keeping a pitcher in the fridge, but its hard to remember to keep it filled, plus its not portable. But, I have always felt a little guilty about the billions of pounds of plastic water bottles in landfills and floating in the ocean. So, I made it my pledge.

Now, I have bought many reusable water bottles...I've never liked them. There are many reasons why, depending on the bottle. I dislike stainless steel bottles because they tinge the water with a metallic taste, and feel horrible against my teeth. I dislike bottles with lids you have to screw off to drink from, the wide mouth usually results in spills and they are hard to drink out of when driving. I dislike pop up spouts because I tend to chew on them and ruin the bottle. I dislike loop top bottles because they are hard to manuever. I dislike bottlew with the flexi-straw that you can cover up and then expose, because if they are removable you lose them and if they aren't I think you can't really clean them. I hate bottles with rubber rings in the lids that fall out all the time, eventually getting lost and then the bottle leaks from under the lid rim onto your shirt.

This dislike of reusable bottles adds to the problem of not buying water.

However, for Donald's birthday, one of the things I got him was this new water bottle from WalMart's Earth Day line.

I got it for him in blue, not green (it also comes in clear). Occasionally, I drink out of it. I found that I really, really like it!

It's the perfect water bottle. I'm in love with it. I bought myself and my para each one, also. (I got blue but with a light blue top to distinguish it from Donald's bright blue top. Deloris's is clear with a bright blue top.) I liked it enough I went back and got 2 more (another blue with light blue lid and a clear with bright blue lid.) This is to meet my need for cold water. I can fill them at night, put them in the fridge and then take them to school and put them in the fridge there and have cold water all day. With only one, I ran out of cold water at 11 am and had to fill it with not cold water, chill it, then drink it. Pain in the butt. Also, I have a feeling that since these were "Earth Day" bottles that they are in limited quantity and I would hate to buy only one, lose it/forget it/break it and never be able to get another.

Here's my case for it being the perfect water bottle (which Deloris feels that it is too. She keeps saying, "I love my water bottle Thanks so much."):
It holds 32 oz, which is a good amount for taking with me somewhere, meaning I don't run out 15 minutes into drinking it, but its not like carrying around a pitcher. It's hard plastic, not the softer, bendier kind that absorbs smells. It has a rubber ring that cannot be removed, so it will never be lost. It has a curved middle, making holding it easier. It has a loop on the top (hard plastic, not flimsy like the loop top bottles, and its not holding the lid on, its part of the lid), which I have found makes it easy to carry with one finger when my hands are full. It comes in blue (yes, to me, this really really matters). But I think what makes it perfect for me is the straw/spout hybrid. There is a straw inside, not flexible but rigid, that is removable and a hard plastic spout on top you drink from. It lets you drink like a straw, rather than tipping the bottle, so no drips and spills, but it gets rid of all the issues I have had with straw bottles.

So, my pledge is very do-able now, because I have the perfect bottles.
(My only complaint is that they say "reduce reuse recycle" on them for earth day, but luckily its not written on, its part of the plastic, so its the same color and blends in well.)

So, if you are needing a water bottle, and have never found just the right one, this is my recommendation to you- GET ONE OF THESE! (If you hate it, you can always rehome it with me...) The walmart on independence is out of them, but the one on sunshine had a lot of them.
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Donald turned 30 last week, I did not blog about it because he did not want to be reminded of it.
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Donald started a new job last Monday, he has really enjoyed it and been very happy, which is a HUGE blessing. Also, it has given me a new enjoyable hobby...matching ties to dress shirts. I found that I really like to do this. It makes me happy inside. I like to hold 50 ties up to a shirt, weed out the noncontenders and then deciding on the best one. Yes, I am strange....but you knew that already.
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Less than 30 school days left. WOOHOO!

how many moods

Last night Donald asked if I was mad. I said no.

He asked if I was sad. I said no.

He asked if I was one of the 50 moods women have that men call mad or sad.

I laughed. A lot.

He explained that there are three moods. Happy, mad and sad. Everything else was made up by women.

So, how many moods do you think there are?

the state of life

The other night, Joel summed up (unintentionally) how I have been feeling about a lot of things in life. Here's how the conversation went:

He looked at our movie/video game shelves and said, "You should sort those and then alphabetize them so you could find them easier." (Now, I know a lot of people do this...but ask anyone who knows me and Donald well if they would consider the two of us the type to do it and the laughter would carry to the moon.)

I replied, "Go for it." He looked at me puzzled and I said, "I will probably never sort them and get them in ABC order. As close as I get it making sure all the Gilmore Girls seasons are on one shelf. But I would never stop anyone who WANTED to organize them from doing it."

He happily pulled all the cases from the shelf and began to sort them into piles of XBOX, Wii, PS2, and DVD. (Funny side note, the 3 VHS tapes are still on the floor. He could not figure out where to sort them to.) Each pile was then sorted into 2 piles (first half and second half of alphabet). Box sets were put together, and then the sorted and alphabetized groups of cases were shelved.

As he finished, I said (jokingly...but certainly would not have stopped him if he'd gone for it), "You can do the bookcase next, if you want."

He looked at the bookcase for a few seconds and then said, "I like to organize things...but I dislike things that cannot be straightened out...that's why I dislike that bookshelf." (Needless to say, he left without straightening out the bookcase.)

I laughed a lot at that statement of Joel disliking my bookcase...but it has become clear to me that it is a great way to express how I feel about some things.

I can't fix them, I can't straighten them out...and I dislike that.

I am not going to express the thing making me feel this way the most, not here on the internet, anyway. If you know me and I trust you, I would tell you if you asked...but I would be afraid of the repercussions of putting it here.

The other things are family illnesses, personal disappointment in myself and a general bitterness that I still struggle against with this stupid infertility.

I want a life more easily sorted, alphabetized and straightened.

prayers

Papa starts radiation next monday, he will have to go 5 days a week for at least 18 treatments. He is not going to do chemo unless the radiation fails.

My stepmom could also use prayer. She has so many ailments it is hard to list them here, but the biggest one is that her intestines are dying. They have removed so many parts that they said they can't do anything else, and that there will be no more surgeries because her insides are just scar tissue (apparently scar tissue inside is a sticky goo, not the type of scar tissue on the outside of the body, which I did not know). She is in a lot of pain, has not been able to eat solid food for about a year and yes, it will probably eventually kill her. Its really hard for her and my dad to live that way.

He has a way with words...

God does not speak in literal words to me often. Sometimes I really wish He would. But He mainly nudges my heart and spirit and seems to gently guide me. But, when He does speak in words, He certainly knows how to get my attention!

Yesterday, I was asked/invited to do a service ministry that evening. I got the invite via text and thought, "ugh...it's raining and cold and supposed to snow later and I have work to do for school. I don't really feel like it." I read the text to Donald and he said he was not super excited to go, either. I picked up my phone to text back that we couldn't go. (Couldn't is a stretch here, as we COULD...but did not want to. I was justifing "couldn't" by saying I HAD to do school stuff, even knowing that I could do it today instead.) Just as I unlocked the phone to type, God spoke. Clearly, concisely and in words.

He said, "Jonah did not WANT to go to Ninevah, either."

This got my attention. I told Donald I was going to go anyway. He said he'd come, too.

Now, I know that statement could have many meanings (sadness, threatening, instructing, etc.), but I did not stop and ask for interpretation. I just figured if it was serve or be swallowed by a whale and THEN serve (because Jonah did not get out of doing what he was asked, he just was delayed by disobedience and a whale)...then I'm gonna go with serve.

Plus...I've been asking God for a lot lately (patience, job for Donald, healing for Papa), so it would seem that to ask and never give is certainly wrong.

There are a lot of reasons I should have said yes without God having to tell me to (for starters, because it was the right thing to do). I did not. That makes me disappointed in myself. I wish I had wholeheartedly said yes right away without the prompt. (Although the rare occasion of hearing God's voice is nice.) I am glad I went and I really hope that next time, I won't have to hear Him tell me to.

I am also glad I went, because it saved God the trouble of getting a whale into a landlocked state and in position to swallow me.

Papa update again

Papa's face swelled up last Tuesday. He went to the doctor and the doctor pulled out fluid with a needle. He said it was either infection at the operation site or the lymphoma was back.

Today (Thursday), the doctor told him it is the lymphoma. It is back much sooner than anyone ever thought it would be. Only a couple weeks after the all clear, remission declaration.

He has to go back this week and get some immune system tests run and then start radiation.

Pray for Papa again. He cleared the lymphoma once, I have faith he can do it again!

Dreaming

Why does dreaming come in spurts? I won't dream for months, then suddenly, 15 dreams a night for a week. How does that work?

Also, when you do dream, why do you wake up feeling completely exhausted? Is you body actually awake and performing these dreams in an alternate world?

Why are my dreams either insane or mundane, but no in between?

Why have I never, ever had the most common dreams of flying and falling?

true fit

Warning: this post is really long and a bit rambly. If it is not of interest to you, you don't have to read it. It was more of a way for me to analyze my feelings than anything else.

Talking on the phone with Hillery this week was enlightening. And the more I ponder the conversation, the more it feels true and right.

It started with me mentioning something about school next year (can't really remember what it was, but something), and her asking if that meant I planned to stay at this school next year. (History:I stayed in my first school district 2 years, my second district 2 years and have almost finished my second year at this one.) I said yes, and that I really needed to because I was afraid if I left another district after 2 years, people would stop hiring me, for fear of my 2 year attention span.

Now, for the record, I did not dislike either of my previous jobs.

I loved the Co-op with everything in me. I loved what it stood for, I loved my boss, I loved my kids (even the hard ones). I loved the atmosphere. I enjoyed that it was all special ed. Usually, there are only a few sped teachers in one location, and we feel a bit isolated. At the co-op, we were a family, we had a common goal of helping these special kids.

I only left because I wanted a baby. And, despite loving my job, I wanted that baby more than any job on the planet. I also knew I could not safely do my job pregnant. Too many restraints, too many violent kids, too much stress. I would put my baby's safety before the job, and the students would suffer. That was not fair. I would become a liability and I could not let that happen.

I also had a eye-opening conversation with my boss, who said she could never have had kids and done this job, because when she goes home she has nothing left to give a baby. She was right. And I knew it. Had I known then that I could not have a baby, I would not have left. I was a little burnt out on getting beaten up, but I would have known the summer would give me time to rev back up and I would have been ready to get back into my job.

I would have stayed...but after my boss left the co-op a year later (due to a lot of garbage that still upsets me) I was glad I had left. I just couldn't see the place without her at the helm. She was the heart and soul of the place. And after the co-op closed forever last spring, I am even more thankful that I left. It breaks my heart to know it is not there serving kids. It was a great place and kids got helped in a way that cross-cat classes cannot offer. Had I been working there when it closed, it would have been even harder.

At my second school, the job was less stressful kid-wise, and more stressful paper-wise. But I really enjoyed my kids there. They were sweet, and seemed more...wholesome..than "city" kids. (This was an extremely rural Mayberry-esque setting.) I formed really good relationships with co-workers and enjoyed "running the show" of the sped dept. It felt good to know that I really did know my stuff. I worked hard, but it made me feel competent and professional. I learned a lot as a quasi-administrator. It was valuable experience that I would not trade for anything. (Plus school paid trips to Tan-tar-a are pretty nice!)

I had no intentions of leaving there when I did. I liked it, I was happy, it was working for me. I wasn't looking at job postings or putting out resumes. I signed a contract to return, knowing I had until June 1st to change my mind, but not thinking that was even in the realm of possibility. Then Hanna told me the job I had always wanted, but it had never been open since I had been certified, had just opened up.

I thought hard and finally decided I had to go for it, or I'd always wonder what could have been. So I put in my resume and application. I told my boss at that job that I did not intend to look for a job, this just happened to be my dream job and had just opened up. I also told her I was not going to take just any job and leave, because I only wanted to leave if just the right thing came along. She understood and wrote me a nice reference.

I did the interview with the central office, and my time as a sped coordinator served me well, I was able to answer all the process/legal questions without hesitation. I later found out my interviewer had been replaced at his former job by my co-op boss and that he had told her my interview was "flawless." That was really nice to hear.

I got the interview at my "dream job," plus 3 others. One for the same "dream job" but at a different location. (The dream job was an autism classroom, for those who don't know. Autism was always my main interest in disability, due to Danny, Lindsey and later, Zach. It still fascinates me like nothing else.) One interview was middle school cross-cat...which I knew before I went that I did not want to do, but my co-op boss advised me to do the interview anyway. She said it was good practice at interview skills (it was the first of the 4 on the schedule), and showed the district that I was not going to turn my nose up at every job other than the autism position. It showed an open mind and kept doors open.

The cross-cat interview apparently went well...they offered me the job. I turned it down, I told them I had two interviews for a position I wanted more and was hoping to get on at one of those 2 schools.

The next interview was for the autism job at the school I had always wanted to work in. I had interned there and fallen in love with the school. I prayed hard...I really wanted them to offer me the job. In the interview they asked if I had anymore interviews set up, and I said I had already had one and had two more scheduled. They asked what would be my first choice. I told them it was there. That I had wanted to work there, in that class, for 6 years. The principal called me the next day and was very gentle in letting me know that I was not getting the job. She told me she knew how badly I wanted it, and they liked me, but they went with the candidate with a master's degree almost completed in Autism. She said she usually sent a letter letting applicants know if they did not get the job, but that she knew I had another interview that day and wanted me to have the information so I did not wait on their response to answer any other offers. This was very kind of her, but my heart was a bit broken at that time.

Still, I went to the third interview, for another autism class, and decided to give it my all. It was still the job I wanted, even if it was not in the location I desired. I thought, "All things are for a reason. That must not have been the place for me, no matter how much I wanted it to be. Maybe this is where I need to be." My Gramma called me on the way to the interview and prayed for me. That gave me a lot of peace. You see, when my Gramma prays, things happen! But, I only considered the possibility of getting the job as the answer to the prayer. I did not look at the alternative. This was my last chance (for the year) to have a crack at the autism job.

I didn't get it. They went with a lady who had been a para in the autism room while going back to school to get her degree. She knew the staff, the kids, the class. She had the edge. For them, she fit.

I felt a bit let down, but I was ok with it, because i still had my job. And there was nothing wrong with it, I liked it, it was a good job. So I would stay put and maybe get a crack at the autism job another year. Sure, I had one more interview to go, but it was not the job I wanted and I figured I would do the interview but either not get the job or not accept the offer.

I arrived at the interview. It did not start well. (First I was lost on the way and had to have Hanna google the directions to the school.) Then, I sat outside the office for an hour after my interview was to start. I waited and waited, finally the principal came out, looked confused and said "Can I help you?" I said I was there for the 4:30 interview. She asked my name and then said, "Oh, you don't have an interview. You never called me back." I did not want to be rude or disrespectful, but I also wanted to clear the record. "Yes, I did," I said, "You asked me to come in on Tuesday, but I said I had a funeral and we decided on Wednesday." As soon as I said funeral, her face changed. "OOOHHHH. Yes. I forgot. I'm sorry!" She apologized. She asked the interview team if they would be willing to stay a little later and give me the interview, since I had waited so long.

I did the interview...I answered the questions, some I nailed, some the principal questioned. But the whole time, I sat and thought, "This fits." I did not know what the job would look like, really. I had no experience with running a functional life skills classroom. But as I sat with these people and talked about this job, it felt so right. It fit.

I was shocked. I had expected to walk out and go back to my job and be fine with it. But as I walked to my car, I thought, "This feels comfortable. I can do this." Still, I wanted to think and pray and talk it over and make pro/con lists before deciding. It wasn't what I planned on doing and it wasn't my dream job, even if some of the students in the class may have autism, there was more to this than just that.

The principal had told me I was the 3rd interview for the job, and she wanted to do at least 2 more, but would let me know in the next 5 days. She called the next day and offered me the job. I was surprised and asked about the other interviews. She said she usually does at least 5, but they talked after I left and decided they did not need to, that "we just all thought you fit."

That confirmed what I was feeling, and I accepted the job. I was nervous, because I did not know what it would be like, but I knew it would be ok. It felt right. It would be new, challenging and good.

I'm almost 2 full years in. It still feels right. It still fits. I never expected to end up doing this type of program, but I love it. I think the things we get to do with the students are amazing. I am thrilled to be back in self-contained sped., which I've always liked more than resource sped. I like having my own kids, in a smaller group, rather than 20-30 kids I see randomly throughout the day. I like cooking and community outings. I love having a para again (adult ocnversation/support throughout the day is priceless!)

I am genuinely happy in this position. I could easily see myself doing it for many more years. I'm not "looking for the next step." This is where I am supposed to be, I just didn't know it.

(Also, with as high as gas prices got in the last 2 years, I could never have afforded driving 89 miles round trip to work anymore.)

Papa update

All bone marrow tests, blood tests and body scans show that Papa is cancer free! He did not have to do chemo or radiation! We know this is God, we know it was a healing, because the way the tumor wrapped around his facial nerves, they could not cut it all out for fear of paralyzing the right side of his face. But whatever the doctor could not get out is gone now.

He has to go back every three months for a year, just to recheck that he is cancer free. After that, just his regular once a year work up.

Prayers work. God is able.

an admission

In high school, "Hootie and the Blowfish" was big. Everyone loved them. They got played at all the dances.

I hated them. I did not enjoy their sound, they had nothing that I found appealing.

So, when news broke a while back about Hootie's lead singer, Darius Rucker, going country for a solo album, I was skeptical. I did not like this guy when his band was big in the 90's, surely now he just a washed up 40-something ex pop star trying for a comeback however he can, right?

When his first single broke, I liked it. I liked it the first time I heard it, even knowing it was his. On subsequent hearings, it grew on me. I liked it more and more. I kept thinking, wow, this is really the guy from Hootie?

His next single broke. I loved it.

I've now heard his whole album. I like or love over 3/4 of the songs. The other 1/4 are listenable. I don't hate any of them, but they serve the usual filler purpose. They won't be singles, or get radio play, but if you buy the whole album, you won't feel compelled to skip them, either.

My admission...I, the Hootie hater, the skeptic...have fallen in love with Darius Rucker as a country artist.

a rant

I am tired of people who tell me they have no money for their kids, yet you can tell from the smell of them, and their child/child's belongings, that they obviously smoke a lot.

I get that nicotine is an addiction, please do not say that to me in the comments. Most of my family has dealt with addiction to either nicotine, alcohol and/or illegal substances.

However, addictions can be broken.

If you have to choose between a freaking pack of smokes each day and dinner for your kid, I am sorry, but if your child eating is not the priority here then you are a lousy human being.

And you can say that the cost of cigarettes does not equal the cost of food, so giving it up would not help feed the family. Lie. Cigarettes are a few dollars a pack. With three bucks, you can buy an entire loaf of bread, pack of cheese and some butter. Grilled cheese for all! You can buy noodles and sauce. Yay spaghetti! You can buy a box of macaroni and cheese and some tuna to throw in for protein. Not my tast, but most kids love it. You can buy eggs and a box of add water only pancake mix. Breakfast for dinner, love it!

Buying cigarettes to feed your addiction while your kids sit hungry is selfish. It's cruel. It's abusive.

Period.

randomosity

Yeah, maybe randomosity is not a real word, but if I use it often enough, Webster's will think it is. (Examples: jiggy, bootylicious, and blog.)

Nothing really important to blog, just float around my head thoughts trying to escape, so I'll put them here.
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There is a song on the radio right now, I dislike it, so naturally it gets lodged in my brain and replays the same two lines for days on end. Even if I only hear the first word before I change the station, the middle lines of the chorus stick like glue. That's irritating!!
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There was a child in front of me at WalMart today in the check out line. I really wanted to have a long talk with, and/or smack her parents. She took some gum off the shelf without asking and placed it with the groceries. Her mom asked her to put it back. The child (around the age of 10), looked straight at her mother and said, "Oh, I see. Dad is already mean to me so now you are going to be mean, too." (Dad was also standing right there.) Mom (committing the crime of engaging pouty, sulky whining) replies "Dad was not mean to you. That Hannah Montana guitar is too much money for us." Child argues "Well, gum is not expensive, so I am getting it." Mom replies, "You did not behave in the store, so you do not get a treat." (Which is a good rule, but only if enforced.) Child whines, "Dad, mom is being mean again! I just want gum. And a soda. Those aren't expensive. Okay, Dad? I am getting gum and a soda." Child walks to cooler and gets out a soda. Mom rolls her eyes and says "Fine, just get something for your brother, too, so I don't have to hear him whine." (Brother was not present.) Girl grabs a snicker bar, then puts it back and gets a "trial size" snack and says, "He's mean to me all the time, I don't like him. He only deserves the smallest thing." Mom says "Fine. I didn't like my brothers at your age either. As long as he gets something." (Dad remains silent for all of this.)

ARGH. Why? Why aren't parents acting like parents anymore?????
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I would blog about how I truly feel about the current weather, but if I did, it would snow tomorrow. So I am just going to say the weather's been "alright."
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I want to learn to make Korean Bulgogi. I love that stuff. It shouldn't be too hard.
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We have three months left of school. Three months does not seem short, but it is fewer than 65 school days. Crazy. It's winding down already.
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I am finally feeling better after being sick for almost the entirety of Febuary. Antibiotics are truly a miracle.
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I've decided I have no problems with bribery, so long as it saves my sanity.
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I want to move somewhere with superb mass transit, or an all inclusive village where everything is in walking distance. Cars are too expensive. What with gas and upkeep, its just too much. (We had to put $475 into our car Friday. New front and rear brakes, front rotors, alignment and oil change.)
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Guinea pigs hate to have their nails trimmed.
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I want to be a Fraggle. Think about it, a 30 minute work week? Count me in!
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So, I think that's it for now.

stupid snow!

Well, I was SOOOOO excited about spring and warmth and mosquitoes, so naturally we are going to have snow this weekend.

Winter has to blow one more big raspberry at me so that it can say NANANANANA you were wrong!

Bad Good news

I have news. It is bad news. But it is good, no, GREAT news also.

I got bitten by 3 mosquitoes today.

Yep. I was outside the school waiting for parents to come pick up my tutoring kids and I got bit. I also killed several, so I am positive they are mosquito bites.

I hate mosquitoes and itchy bug bites.

BUT...it means spring is upon us!!!!

Goodbye winter and your cold stupid snow. Goodbye grey all the time and heavy coats. GOODBYE INDOOR RECESS!!!

It's Spring!

Anchor Inn

This is Anchor Inn on the Lake, located in Branson West. it is the prettiest place I have ever stayed (in America). The octagonal lighthouse part on the side is where our room, "The Mediterranean Lighthouse Room" was located. There are 3 other rooms, "The Maryland Room," "The Virginia Room," and "The Kansas Sunflower Room." The Innkeepers, Mike and Dee let us see all the rooms before other guests were there and I really think our room was the prettiest. If it were unavailable, I would take the Virginia as a second choice. It has a pretty four poster bed with red linens, an electric fireplace, a sliding door that leads to a deck and path to the lake and a jacuzzi tub in the bathroom. I didn't find anything wrong with the Virginia room, it just wasn't quite as nice as our room. The Maryland was a pretty blue, with a jacuzzi, but the jacuzzi is in the bedroom, not seperate, which is a loss for me. Also, the fireplace was 2 feet from the side of the bed, which is too close to really enjoy. The Kansas room was too small for me, also the clawfoot tub was in the corner of the bedroom. It was my least favorite.

But, back to our room. This is the top of the lighthouse. There are windows all the way around, and a jacuzzi tub. This is not the typical jets out of the side jacuzzi. It was an air massage with tiny holes along the floor of the tub, which sent bubbles up. Much less forceful than the jets in a normal jacuzzi, but super nice feeling. And, the super-bonus was underwater lights! My water could be blue, purple, orange, green, teal, red, and yellow. I could freeze it, or set it to cycle at a speed I liked. So much fun. This was also the largest tub I have ever been in. I wanted to forward my mail and just live in this tub, but Donald said no.

Directly across from the tub were sliding doors leading to our own balcony. Unfortunately, we did not use the balcony, what with the 35 degree temperature. But it was pretty. Also, the vertical blinds that covered the sliding glass doors had been individually covered in shirred chiffon, as had the thing above them that holds them, making them soft and pretty. I've never seen that before but I loved it!
From the outside, you can see we had a balcony and a deck, also. Very cool. We had two exits from our lower level, one to the deck, one to the common areas of the house.



This is the view toward the common areas and deck door. Off to the left was the bathroom with a shower (for the non jacuzzi soakers).




This is the view from the common area door, here you can see our beautiful bed. It was super comfy and very pretty. It was also a king sized bed, which we have never had before. It felt so big!

We loved this bed and breakfast. If I had to list any complaints they would be that it is hard to find (especially in the dark) and that the cooking, while tasty, was not "creative" like some other places we have gone. Simple food like pancakes, fruit and ham were the dishes we ate. Truthfully, that is not a huge problem for me, since it was still yummy and she avoided the foods I told her I was allergic to and Donald wouldn't eat. (Raspberries and eggs.)

Overall, I am pleased. We will go back. We will stay in this room if possible. It's the perfect room. It was clean and fresh and calm feeling, with pale sage and whites and touches of lavender.

I loved the fact that this inn was not covered in flowers everwhere. Some places are flowered walls, beds, table cloths, everything. I hate that. This in was just crisp and nice.

Each room has a theme based on where the inn keepers lived while Mike was in the Navy. Each bed, when you arrive, has a special gift that is from the area the room represents. We got italian glitterati candies. Our room was based on their time in the Mediterranean, on the island of Sardignia, La Meddaluna.

I also loved the fact that the innkeepers were christians and the entire inn was nonsmoking, including outside. No smoking anywhere on their property.

Good news

Gramma called me and said that Papa's preliminary body scan does not show cancer anywhere else in his body.

They are going to need to do chemo or radiation or both to treat what they couldn't get out of his face/neck.

My great grandma Bea (Papa's mom) had chemo and did really badly on it, so Papa wants to try radiation alone first. He sees the oncologist later this week to discuss it and see what the best option will be.

Keep praying! It's working!

strange sickness

Well, this illness started with Davy having a sore throat, then throwing up, then feeling better in a couple days.

When I got it, it started with the sore throat, then a fever, then congestion and a bit of cough.

Now that my husband has it, it is a fever, a little throat soreness, a headache, chills, coughing and sneezing.

How does one illness manifest in so many different ways? Or did we not have the same thing?

I am feeling better, still a little congested and my throat is still a little tender, but I can swallow things again! No more fever and no more cough.

I hope he gets better soon, though. He actually agreed to take medicine, so I know he is feeling bad.

What an anniversary weekend, huh? (Saturday was our 6 year anniversary...we couldn't do much. Hopefully we will be all better and able to celebrate on valentines day!)

Tea

I really, really wish I liked hot tea. It sounds like it would be so soothing to my poor angry throat. But try as I might to doctor it into something drinkable, I just cannot get past the fact that it tastes awful. I could make it drinkable with honey, but by the time I did, I may as well just drink honey.

Pray for Papa

My Papa, Jim, was diagnosed with lymphoma today. Right now, thats all I know. They haven't told him what kind yet, he has to meet with 2 more doctors and get a full body scan to see where all in his body it is. Then they will give him a treatment plan.

This hurts my feelers really bad.

I want miracles. I want it to disappear. I want him to not push away from God because of this. He was estranged from God for almost 20 years and has slowly found his way back over the last two years. He is in a good place right now, I want his faith to continue to grow strong.

I want a lot. But I serve a big God.

Pray with me. Pray for Papa.

Okay, I totally agree now.

Today, I looked outside, and I thought for sure school would be in session tomorrow. The roads were getting clearer, the weather had stopped and we had already missed two days.

Then, the text from SPS Alerts. School cancelled Thursday. (Sponsored by AGCU, which cracks me up.)

I was a bit confused. And couldn't decide if I was happy or not. I mean, I know I won't want to make these days up. That part of having snow days really sucks. But, I also don't relish the idea of going outside at 7 am in half a foot of snow and spending the day in a classroom with kids who cannot have outside recess and have spent the equivelent of a weekend at home after only one day at school. So the third snow day was a bit of a drag, but also a bit of a relief.

Still, I was wondering why it was cancelled.

Then...I decided to drive to school to check on the pets (2 guinea pigs and a betta in my room, a goldfish and a turtle in Charles' room). I knew I'd have to go tonight or tomorrow, so decided to just get it done.

The whole way down Ingram Mill, Sunshine and Scenic, I thought "It's not great, but it's certainly not bad enough to cancel school."

But when I turned off of Scenic to come to the school, I realized just how bad the "secondary" roads still were. It has not been warm enough to get rid of anything, and the roads that aren't plowed are BAD. I spun out 4 times in one block on Walnut. I pulled to a stop at a stop sign and had to try three times to get the car moving again. That's a road several of my kids have to come down on their bus to school.

I am thankful that the administration cancelled tomorrow. I totally see why and agree with the decision. I am glad I drove to the school, so that any second guessing was put to rest. I am glad that the safety of our students was put above the need to get 175 school days in.

Thanks, SPS. I appreciate your decision.

late Christmas present? Early birthday present?

I am not sure why only the title of this post published the first time. I will try again!

My present was a wonderful, fabulous gift that made my whole week brighter. Here's the story:

Guy 1: Amber's birthday is in less than a month. We should get her a present.

Guy 2: You know, we really should. We've never given her one and she HAS been a loyal fan since she was 6.

Guy 1: But what can we give her that would make up for all the years we didn't give her anything?

Guy 2: I don't know...

:both guys thinking:

Guy 1: I've got it! We can fire Herm Edwards!

Guy 2: You're right! That would make her really happy! Let's do it!

(The previous conversation took place between the decision makers of the Kansas City Chiefs. Donald thinks I am nuts and this decision was not about me. He's totally wrong.)

Random update info

I've had stuff to write, but no real motivation to blog. So I didn't. Sorry for anyone who wished there was a post in the past couple weeks. Here is some of the stuff I may have written about if I'd felt like it.

Jax is getting better. No more twitching when touched and his fur is growing back. After all that, he caught a cold and sneezed non-stop for a week or so, but he seems to be over that, also. He doesn't mind his new food too much. The hardest adjustment has been not getting table scraps from Donald. (It's been as hard on Donald as it has been on Jax.

I got my SMART Board on Friday! It is wonderfully fun and I cannot wait to see how much fun my students have with it.

In related news, I am thinking I am too much of a teacher. Saturday night I dreamt of using my SMART Board. Sunday night I dreamt of teaching other people how to use it and also about playing with new Play-Doh with my students. Dreaming of school is just a little too lame for me to be ok with it.

Apparently my mind is REALLY into the SMART Board. I also got Play-Doh for my room on Friday night, we have not had any in our room this year. I know exactly how much my kids love Play-Doh. Having regular Play-Doh sessions will make them very happy. Apparently my mind was thrilled about that, too.

I took Gabbie roller skating last weekend. It was fun, she had a lot more patience and stamina for it this time (last time she was only 4, now she's 6). However, she also had more guts and tried to skate faster, resulting in a lot more falls. Combine that with her insistence on wearing a dress and tights instead of jeans, and she probably had bruises all over her behind and thighs from falling down on her skate wheels.

By my school, there was a sign advertising "Germin Shepherd Pupys for Sale." I am thinking the only way they spelled Shepherd correctly was by looking it up. They must have thought they knew how to spell the other words. Nope. A few days later they changed the spelling of Germin to German, but puppies is still spelled pupys. I am waiting for the third edition.

I think there my be more to say, but dinner's ready. Later.

Jax update

Well, Jax is definately sick.

He has the feline equivalent of shingles. Which means he is in a lot of pain, even if he is not acting like it and all of his nerve receptors are extremely sensitive. He got a cortosteroid shot today to help calm his nerve receptors and block pain. The vet said the effects of the shot should last at least a month, keeping him out of pain until the other treatment puts the shingles in remission.

After the shot takes effect, and he isn't in a lot of pain, he has to get a bath and comb out tomorrow to remove all the dander and stuff from his skin, so the lesions heal better.

The next day, after his skin oils have built back up, we have to put this oil treatment on his back to help knock out the shingles.

Just like in humans, shingles never go away, they just go into remission. Stress brings them back out. Meaning if we ever have a baby, move, get a dog, etc. he could flare back up. If that happens, we have to take him back and repeat the process.

The vet said that it probably was not his food that triggered the autoimmune response, but his kitty condo tower that he loved so very, very much. The carpet it is covered in is apparently treated with chemicals, and then when the cat scratches it, as it is meant for, those chemicals release and land all over the cat, in addition to being inhaled by the cat. Not good.

The vet says I can vaccuum and steam clean the tower and try it again, but no thanks. If it made him this sick, it can hit the dumpster. Its just not worth it.

In addition to all of that (like we need more!), he also is showing signs of feline type 2 diabetes. I had already bought him hypoallergenic food when all his problems started a month or so ago, but it is really expensive. The vet recommended some other options that are better priced (like 10.99 instead of 23.oo for 40 oz), but still better for him. Corn apparently is really bad for diabetic cats, since it converts to sugar quickly. He needs a grain free diet. No more Whiskas. I got him some of the new food, so we'll see how he likes it. He also cannot have any table scraps, which will break Donald's heart, since they love to share. The vet also said he should only be having 1/2 to 3/4 cup of food per day, not the 1.5 cups he has been getting.

Poor baby. This will be a rough change, between the bath, no table food, no kitty condo, switching foods again, and decreasing his food.

But to add insult to injury, he has to go back in 3-4 weeks for a rabies shot, too!

no vet

The vet cannot see Jax until Saturday morning. I hope its nothing serious.

Home again

We are back from Mom's house. I love going...but I hate leaving.

Our poor cat pulled out chunks of his own fur while we were gone. He's going to the vet tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

It's Christmas, folks! That is simultaneously happy and sad. I am happy to celebrate Christmas and all it's joys. I am happy to see people I care about.

But...after today, there is little good left in winter. Just 3 more freezing cold months of grayness. (There is a brief respite of joy in February, with my anniversary, Valentine's Day and my birthday...but then more cold grayness.)

The trees come down, the lights come down, the brightness of December drains away.

But, for today, I choose to ignore what happens on the other side of Christmas. I choose to celebrate Jesus. I choose to spend time with loved ones. I choose to get off the computer and make the dessert for dinner tonight!

Quiet Christmas Eve

Today has been on the quiet side. I slept in, then made waffles and sausage for Donald and I. We went and bought one gift (for the Potter children) and some butter for my apple pie crust. We hung out here for a bit (Donald enjoying video games and me finishing up my Grandma's Christmas cross-stitch present). We attended the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Second. Now, I am making a fancy-ish dinner for us to enjoy (bacon wrapped steak filets with a creamy gorgonzola sauce over whole grain pasta, with green beans). Then we are going to watch a movie.

That's all. No rushing around, trying to do a billion things. It's been quite nice.

BREAK!!!!

It is officially Christmas break!!!!!!!

12 days of no students.

12 days of no lesson planning.

12 days of no disciplinary reports.

12 days of no waking up at 6 am.

12 days of not dealing with parent calls.

Yes, people, these are the true "12 Days of Christmas" for teachers.

tires

The guy at the shop says the entire problem is our tires being "out of round." He says it usually happens from hitting potholes or curbs. I've definately been guilty of curb checks on occasion...

He says you notice it more in the colder weather because the tires get harder and do not flex to the road like they do when they are warm, so it feels like driving on a square.

He says replacing the tires will fix the problem.

4 tires, diagnostic fee, valve stems, installation and recycling fee is nearly $300. Merry Christmas to us.

Thanks Murphy. P.S. I hate you.

Well, our lives being what they are at the moment, naturally our car has broken down. Again. 1 month and 18 days after the fuel pump quit. I month and 15 days after the battery died.

I had it towed today, but the shop isn't open, hopefully I will know something tomorrow.

We went to Gabbie's birthday party yesterday and when we left the car made the exact same sound and feeling it does if you have a flat.

Only, our tires are not at all flat. The last week or so, Donald felt a "pulling" and I felt a little "wobble." But everytime I felt it, I wasn't sure if I was making it up in my head. Apparently, it was something.

Pray it's cheap. Otherwise, we can't really afford to fix it. And more than likely, I can't go home for Christmas.

I hate cars.

Gabbie

Gabbie is 6 today. (In real life, in my head she hasn't even turned one yet.) The little, sweet, angel doll baby is growing up so fast. She's in school now. She can dress herself and write her name. She can express her opinions (and drive her mother crazy in the process). She holds entire conversations that make total sense.

She still makes me smile, just like she did as a baby. But now, she can also make me laugh! She is unintentionally hilarious. She cheers me up and makes a bad day better, just by her sheer Gabbieness.

I feel sorry for people who don't have a Gabbie in their life.

Gabbie is 6. 6 years old. Where does 6 years go?

Happy birthday, Gabbie! I can't wait to see where the next 6 years takes you. (Although...I am certainly not ready to think of you as a teenager...) You'll always be that special, beautiful, porcelain baby I met on a cold december night 6 years ago. I am so glad you came into my life. Thanks for being you.

I probably shouldn't, but...

I am going to anyway. I know the situation is a tragedy and many people are very upset. So it may be inappropriate to ask about it so soon. But I have to.

There is a person who died (either last night or today) during a Nativity Play. The person was playing one of the magi. He died when his cable that was suspending him from the ceiling snapped.

So...why was the Magi suspended from the ceiling? Could the Magi fly?

This whole situation confuses me.

A husband at home???

My husband just got put on a DAY SHIFT! That's not happened in many many moons. I will see him EVERYDAY. That has not happened in years! We will get to see friends together, eat dinner together, go to bed together.

This is so exciting!

Ugly Tree!

Our annual, beloved, joyous Ugly Tree Party occurs tonight. This is the fifth year we've held this event and it keeps getting bigger. This year, we've invited a record 26 people! (If you've seen Hanna and Chris's house, you'll understand the magnitude of a gathering that large.)

This party, for me, is a true highlight of December. I just love being in the midst of people I love, who are having a good time with each other.

Not to mention, we have THE COOLEST theme of any holiday party, anywhere. I am positive of that.

I go to Hanna's to do prep in 3 hours. Guests arrive in 5 and a half. We'll crash, exhausted, full and happy, into our beds in about 13.

Great day.

Narnia at The Little Theatre

Today I took my class on a community outing to see The Little Theatre's production of Narnia at The Landers Theatre.

It was awesome, and I say that as someone who dislikes the book and feels lukewarm toward the movie. I highly recommend it, it is playing through Sunday evening and seats are still available for something like $11. It is musical and magical and really well done.

Our kids LOVED it. We worried about taking them to a play. None of them have ever been to one, and it is a long time to sit quietly. We had no reason to worry. They sat, mesmerized and still, for the entire hour and a half. Only one child got antsy, and really, for her, she was extremely well behaved. One little girl kept looking over at me and saying, "I like that." The boys were enthralled by the wolves, Aslan the Lion and the sword fighting.

We had such a great experience, we are already considering attending in April when they put on Mulan, Jr., despite the fact that we will need to spend another $80 out of our funds. (Although, truthfully, $80 for 20 tickets is a steal.)

Next week we are cooking for the residents of the Ronald McDonald House. We felt we needed to do a service project.

Week 14, really?

Where did football season go? Is it really almost playoff time? I could swear I've only had like 6 weeks of sundays with my boys.

Football season always ends too early. And it always makes me sad.

On a happier note, I am putting up my tree today!

in shock

Sometimes people say things that just utterly shock me. Like to the point where I do not know if I should slap them or just laugh at their baffling lack of a filter.

Today was one of those moments. And what was said hurt me, for obvious reasons, but I am not totally sure it was intended to sting. She may have been kidding, or thinking she was just being sarcastic. Or she may have been being mean, I don't know this lady well enough to judge that.


She looked at me and said, "I don't know why you are complaining, your husband works nights and it's not like you have kids or anything important to get home to like some of us do."

Excuse me? My life is unimportant because I don't have kids? Gee, thanks.

Where does time go?

This year is almost over. I find that extremely hard to comprehend. The school year is nearly half gone. Babies are growing up too fast.

All your childhood, you hear that years fly by as you get older. I've found that to be true. But it worries me a bit.

If years are going this fast now and I am not even 30, how will I get anything accomplished in a year when I am in my 50's and beyond?

Snow...

Is cold. And yucky. And slickery.

But, I've otherwise had a great Thanksgiving Break.

I got to go home, which is always a treat. James and Jessica (my brother and his girlfriend) came down on Wednesday and I rode back with them. Thursday was food, family, Tripoley, Dominos, and an insane trip to the Zona Rosa shopping Center from 11 pm to 3 am. (Really good deals from midnight to 3. Like 50-70% off EVERYTHING.) It was cold, and people were CRAZY. Never again. The deals are not worth the amount of trouble it is. Friday was sleeping in, then having my nephew, Sage, for several hours, then shopping with mom. I got 2 new shirts and a new sweater and a digital camera for James and Jessica's Christmas present. With Sage and the next baby (fingers crossed for a girl), it will get plenty of use. Also got my Taco John's fix, a must on any trip home.

Then on Saturday, Hanna and Chris took us to the Trans Siberian Orchestra concert as our Christmas gift. It was awesome. All I could think while I was there was that Bryan has to go see them. He would have been in symphonic rock heaven.

Today has been football, carpet cleaning and hiding from the snow.

This week is Christmas decorating time!!! I cannot wait to get my tree up and my lights strung. I love the whole event. Cocoa and carols and baubles and sparkles. Bring it on, baby!

dreams do come true!

Last school year, Melody came up with the idea that we should write a grant for Smartboards for mine and Charles' classes. Putting our heads together this year, we wrote that grant.

Today, happy visitors came to my room and gave us a check for $6,259 to buy two Smartboards, two projectors, 2 installations and 1 set of interactive response pads!!

We are so excited!

toothbrush confusion

I bought a new toothbrush. It is a Colgate Max Fresh. I bought it for the same reason I have bought every other toothbrush in my life. It was blue and pretty.

However, this toothbrush confuses me.

The front part of the handle is made of a hardish blue gel instead of plastic and has little confetti pieces embedded in it. The package boasts that that part of the handle has a "refreshing mint scent to enhance the brushing experience." When I opened it, I found it really did smell just like minty toothpaste. It is not a bad smell.

But I have to wonder...if I am already brushing my teeth with minty toothpaste, what is the purpose of the scented handle? Wouldn't I already have a "refreshing mint scent" from my toothpaste? Does extra mint smell truly "enhance" my brushing experience?

Truly, no. After you have mint toothpaste on the brush, you cannot even smell that the handle is scented.

So it seems that the handle is meant to be sniffed when you are NOT using toothpaste already. Weird.

I'll keep my new toothbrush, though. Like I said, it's still blue and pretty.

hot TV

The other night as Donald and I were watching The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson, a commercial for the new CBS show The Mentalist came on. I mentioned that I thought the guy in it was sexy. Donald was mystified by this comment. But, seriously, I have actually watched The Mentalist, twice, despite my dislike of crime dramas and procedurals. I watch no CSIs, no Law and Orders, no Bones, no Numbers. It's not my thing. I prefer my TV people alive and not cut open. But for the eye candy that is Simon Baker, I've relented on occasion.

I've now decided he has made my Top 10 hot guys list. Since my list from #3-10 is not in a stable order, just a clump of guys I think are hot, I'm not totally sure who he has bumped. I do know it is NOT #1 or #2, as those two spots are firmly claimed and completely stable.

Simon Baker does not hold a candle to #1, the yummy hotness that is my Johnny.





















Or #2, the utterly attractive Taye Diggs. No one has a smile like him.















So, I am still mulling who to bump. But someone is getting the boot.

two things

I've had a couple of random things bouncing off my skull. Neither of them are important, but here they are.

1. The movie Four Christmases. Seriously people. Does ANYONE in the universe think that the adorable, talented Reese Witherspoon would marry the obnoxious, sloppy, vulgar Vince Vaughn? I know, I know, Jennifer Aniston dated him. But she was rebounding off of the loss of Brad and is allowed to make a bad call. But putting Reese and Vince in a movie and asking me to buy that match up? I don't think so.

2. McDonald's Chicken Nuggets. Pay attention people. McDonald's has exacted a "bad math tax" against you. They now have a 4 pc. nugget for $1.00. The 10 pc. is $3.39. The 20 pc. is $6.19. But, you could get 3 of the $1.00 4 pieces and have 12 rather than 10 nuggets for only $3.21. Save 18 cents and get two extra nuggets. Also, you could order 5 of the $1.00 4 pieces for $5.35 instead of 1 20 pc. and save yourself 74 cents on the same amount of food. You are basically paying extra to have fewer boxes, which I guess is better for the environment but kind of dumb for you. Do the math. I'm just saying. (Yes, I know too much about McDonald's nuggets, but it has bothered me for a couple weeks now. Ever since I saw the 4 pc for $1 sign, I wondered if the price of the other sizes went down. They didn't.)

Just curious

Today, they released the secret service "code names" for the Obamas. Barack will be Renegade, Michelle will be Renaissance, Malia is Radiance and Sasha is Rosebud.

But, I have to ask...isn't the point of a "code name" that no one else knows what it is?

What good is a code name that you announce to the whole world?

How will it be any different to say "Renegade is standing too close to the man with the strange duffel bag," than to say "Barack (or President Obama) is standing too close to the man with the strange duffel bag?"

Yeah, I hate cars

We had our car back slightly longer than 48 hours when I left school today. I turned the key and it revved a bit before actually starting.

I went and got gas and started the car to leave, it happened again.

I drove to O'Reilley's and got their free electrical system test.

Bad battery.

$85.00.

I'm kinda pissed.

Plus, I need to actually change the battery and I don't have a socket that fits the bolt, so I have not been able to yet. It still starts, but it takes a few seconds and sometimes 2 tries.

Hopefully I can get it changed before it strands us.

Verdict

Bad fuel pump. Better than the transmission being bad (approx. $2000), worse than it being the alternator (approx $450). Final total will be around $650.

We can swing it, but it will be super tight for the month, since Donald'd final tuition payment comes out this month, also.

Thanks to everyone who has helped us and prayed. You relieved a lot of stress from us!

We should have our car back by closing time tomorrow.

Friends and Kindness

Hanna and Chris have made our lives considerably easier. For the time that our car is out of commission, they are letting us borrow Mithril Rae, Hanna's Intrepid. That means I don't have to take the bus to work each morning or figure out rides home from work for both of us.

Between them and Joey today, we are blessed.

We have great friends and for that we are so tremendously grateful.

Please pray that our car is fixed quickly and inexpensively.

Poor baby car

Today, on our drive home from church, our car started acting funny. The RPMs started going really low, then back to normal and it was acting like it wouldn't let me accelerate. We decided to try to drive it to O'Reilley's and get the free alternator/battery check. The car decided otherwise and stopped entirely on the corner at Sunshine. Some kind men helped Donald push it into a parking lot.

Now, I am immensely grateful that in August I decided to add Alltell Roadside Assistance to our cell phones. They came and towed our poor baby car to Daytona's. This service won't cost us anything, and all because we have been paying $3 per month to have the service. $9 later, we needed it.

Joey came and picked up Donald and took him to work for us.

Now, comes the real challenge. Donald can take the city bus to work as always. (Also, his classes are all cancelled this week because of a conference his instructors are going to, so that is of no concern.) I can take the bus to work, if needed. (I'll have to be on the bus at 6:30 in the morning.) But, he cannot ride it home, as he gets off work so late. I could ride it home some days, but this is parent-teacher conference week and I have to be at school until 7:30 pm each night. The bus to our house only runs til 6pm.

So, we will be relying on the kindness of friends.

Hopefully the problem is quickly fixed. My dad says it sounds like an alternator or fuel pump. I hope it is not a super expensive fix, whatever it is.

I hate car problems.

I keep talking to myself tonight...

And I'm not sure why.

Occasionally, on a normal evening, I will talk to the cat, or laugh at something, or occasionally say something that pops into my brain when I see something.

But, tonight is different. I have been unable to contain thoughts, everything is spouting out of my mouth. It's like my head has reached capacity and is now overflowing.

I hope it's fixed by next week. This would be a very bad trait to carry into parent-teacher conferences...

So you know whats fun?

Screaming, cussing, fighting matches involving pepper spray going on in your parking lot right when you need to be leaving to pick up your husband.

Know whats even more fun? When the cops and the security company don't respond until the people who are fighting have already left.

seriously???

Gillian Anderson of X-Files fame just had a son. She named him Felix. The name itself, I don't care for much, but its ok.

However, her 1 year old son is named Oscar.

WHY? Why would she name her sons Oscar and Felix? You know she has to know who the odd couple is.

Things like that really drive me crazy.

Life happens

We won't be moving (most likely). At least not right now. Lots of things are up in the air.

It's a lot of stress and worry, but I know it'll all be ok.

owies

So, when you stand up off the floor of your classroom and hear a "pop" and then the whole back of your knee hurts so bad you want to cuss in front of the kids (but you don't) and then you limp for several hours afterwards...is that bad?

YAY FOR CHIEFS!!

My Boys won today, after an almost year long dry spell.

I'm so happy, if I were a dog, I'd wet myself.

House...

I found a house I really like. I showed it to Donald. He really likes it, too.

It has a large building in the back yard with electricity, which is a big selling point to Donald, who wants to turn it into "Man World" with punching bags and other manly accoutrements.

It also has a lot of built in shelves, which is great, as we are always in need of more book storage.

It has new carpet and new paint and they are working on remodeling a bathroom right now.

It has a decently large kitchen, a fireplace, three bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a 2 car garage and a fenced in back yard.

So...will it still be available when our lease is up? That is the question.

Hypocritcial board games?

Last night at Barnes and Noble, I saw a game called "Drinking games from around the World." Laughing, I picked it up and looked at the back. It proclaimed to contain 31 drinking games from different countries, and the supplies to play them, such as cards, poker chips, etc.

Then, at the bottom, it said "We do not recommend these games be played with alcohol."


Umm...then maybe you should not distribute drinking games....

Houses, dear houses

Today I get to go do walk throughs on houses to rent! Yay!

Cross your fingers we find a nice house for a decent price in a safe neighborhood. Yep, we want it all.

What is this green stuff?!?

So today, I made a purchase of $1.78.

I handed the clerk a $5 bill.

She looked at it, looked up at me and said "Will that be credit or debit?"

Um...that's called cash....

Get Smart

I just wanted to say that we saw this movie on Saturday and you should, too. I have not laughed that hard at a movie in many, many years.

great weekend, horrifying week

This past weekend was great!! We were sure we were going to get hurricaned out of RenFest, or at least hit hard on the drive back, but no! Beautiful day for RenFest, only sprinkled lightly twice, no other rain, and cool enough to be pleasant but not need a jacket. Sundays drive home saw no rain and no flooding. We could not have been luckier.

I also learned a new song from the Irish minstrels at RenFest. I've decided it is now Donald and I's song. The chorus goes:

Through the rain and through the snow
through the streets in my kilt I go
All the lasses say, "Hello!
Donald where's your trousers?"

Donald is changing his name to Fred...


So, as great as this weekend was...this week was horrifying. I had one of the worst experiences of my life on Tuesday, which I will not be able to discuss here for legal and confidentiality reasons. Lets just say I had no idea you could cry, hyperventilate and puke at the same time until I did it on Tuesday.

However, tomorrows Friday, so it's all looking up from here!

thirsty?

At the McDonald's on South National you can get 49 cent driks. Yep, driks. Sounds kinda gross, really.

perfection acheived

A day, spent in pajamas, curled up on a couch, watching football.

AHHHH.



I am even happy in spite of my boys losing, because they put up a fight and were in the game til the end. At no point did they concede. (And they played the Pats, so I wasn't watching to see a win.)

a better week

Last week went better than the first week of school. I am hoping this week is even better and we really hit our stride.

This week we got into some of our routines, and got comfortable with them. We hope that eventually our class can run as smoothly as it did last year.

quite a good weekend

I've really enjoyed Labor Day weekend.

Friday Donald and I had an all alone date, which was needed after the week I'd had. We went out to Nakato's and I really cannot remember the last time I ate there. It may have been for Hanna's birthday 3 or 4 or 5 years ago. We also went to Barnes and Noble and I got two books I have read snippets of everytime we've gone there for the last couple years.

Saturday morning I woke up early and drove to Lake of the Ozarks to spend the day with Nathan, my best friend from high school. It was kind of a make or break time for us. We've had some trouble communicating the last few years and I got a little fed up with feeling cut off. I had emailed him last in February and then decided just to walk away and see what happened. He asked me to come up to his sister's lake house while he was in town so we could catch up in person. I did, thinking we'd either come away knowing the friendship was still there or with closure. We mostly hung out near/in the lake for the first few hours, with his family near. Afterwards, we talked some up on the deck and the familiarity began to return. I had been unsure if I wanted to drive home that night or spend the night, and finally Donald told me I should stay and be safe. After everyone went to bed, we started really talking. After talking for half the night, we fell asleep, exhausted but happily aware that we were going to be ok. Well worth the trip. Losing that friendship has troubled me for several years. I'm glad to know I don't have to.

Sunday morning, I drove back to Springfield and then took a nap. After staying up half the night and then driving home, I was so tired! I woke up in late afternoon and then Bryan came to town. I've been very lucky to see him about 6 times this summer. We had dinner and went to WalMart and then came home and just hung out. Today, we had lunch with Donald and then went to Guitar Center, where Bryan got to buy gear that made him happy. Then we went to the zoo. I had not been yet this year, and I have always loved to go. Then we went to the mall (I needed face wash and bare minerals. I also stumbled on a handsoap sale at Bath and Body, 7 bottles for $20. I got some.) Bryan bought shoes, partly because he's a shoe lover and partly because the salesgirl was cute. We came home and hung out and then went to dinner with Joel and Heather. Good times.

Now, I'm home alone. Bryan left and Donald is at work. Also, I have to cook at home basically the rest of the month after all the eating out this weekend! (Although at the lake, Nathan's brother in law cooked, so other than half a tank of gas that trip cost nothing.)

All in all, I've had a very good weekend.

Ready for anything!

My room is painted, rearranged and decorated. I'm prepped and ready!

Here are some shots of what it looks like before the day to day living in it makes it look less than what it looks like now.
This is "circle time central." Weather board, calendar, class schedule, and lunch choices. The blank strips are going to be individual student schedules, after I take their pictures!






These are the ultra amazing seat sacks Hillery sewed for me. I got a great deal on the fabric, it is a denim with a silvery sheen. Very pretty! She made seven (well, eight, but our prototype did not fit), but she'll probably have to make me more soon...I am starting with six kids and another is expected to be placed within a week!
Crazy.



Here are mine and Deloris' desks. The table jutting out from my desk will be for small groups. The table you only see the corner of will be where the guinea pigs go.






This little alcove housed a file cabinet last year. This year, I am placing the time out desk and mood meter there. It's a much better location for children who are making a scene!






Bryan came from Arkansas TWICE to help with this project. Once to help tape everything off and once to paint. Is he wonderful, or what??

You can see the transformation happening here from dirty beige to light blue (it's really not as white as the picture looks. Its a pretty sky color).


Joel and Heather helped paint too...and even though the picture denies it, we were right side up that day.








My hallway display.







Over my door as you walk in. You can see the difference here in the hall color and my room color. It's still not a true depiction of my room color, but at least you can see that there is one.






Group table, with seat sacks. The pocket chart slides so I can use that part of the chalkboard, too. Way over to the right, you see my Plan, Do, Study, Act board. It's a new requirement due to CQI. I'm still not sure how it is going to work.

This is the back of my room, also. I flipped the room front to back this year to minimize distractions from students going to library and computers right outside my door.

Sage Riley

I finally got around to uploading pictures from my trip home in June. I thought I'd share some pictures of my nephew, Sage.


He loves bath time.










He sleeps really well at nap time. I was able to lay him down and shower, then blow dry my hair without it waking him up!




He always wakes up happy!














He LOVED to stare at Donald. Gabbie did, too as a baby. He's so cute, even babies notice it...



This one is my favorite.












He chews his fingers, but has little interest in his pacifier.









Mom and I bought him this super soft wooly mammoth at T-REX in K.C. He loved to chew it's head and rub it's trunk on his face.








He's a very happy baby. He smiles a lot. he looks so much like my brother it is crazy!







He fell asleep during a bottle, but his mean daddy wouldn't let him sleep and woke him up so he'd sleep at night.

traditions

Well, my (school) year almost always begins with three things. This year was no exception. I start by not being able to sleep well the night before, then wake up super early with good intentions of getting to work early, only to spend over an hour in the bathroom (TMI, I know) and finishing it off by throwing up.

I don't know why my body insists on being stressed enough to vomit just because school is starting.

It's really kind of irritating!

Sweethearts

I've always been a Johnny Depp fan (some of you may be aware of this), but today I found out something that further solidifies my adoration.

He, Jude Law (who is hot in a totally skanky way) and Colin Farrell (Oh, wait, that fits him, too...maybe more so) stood in to finish Heath Ledger's final film "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus." The three decided not to be paid, but to donate their salaries to Ledger's daughter, Matilda. Ledger had not updated his will after her birth and there are doubts as to what she will recieve, as his father is kind of shady and is the executor.

I think this is totally sweet and the right thing to do.

(Side note, it is way past time for me to be in bed, as tomorrow is the first official day of work. Yet, I CANNOT sleep. It's always this way.)

final countdown

School starts in a week. Eek!
I still feel like I have a ton to do.

It does NOT help that tonight after taking Donald dinner, I could not go back to school because our lovely apartment complex notified us TODAY that TOMORROW the exterminaters are coming and our bathrooms and kitchens must be cleaned and clear. Oh yay. Thanks for less than 24 hours notice. Oh, well. I worked on that for 2 and a half hours and I must say the apartment looks much better. I do enjoy it being clean, I just hate that I was not getting my classroom ready tonight.

I did a lot of dishes and some laundry while cleaning. I also made a big batch of cranberry chicken salad tonight. With pita bread, that is lunch next week.

another reason to hate the writer's strike

Harry Potter 6 has been delayed until next summer, instead of this November.

This annoys me. The movie could be ready by November, but the strike means no new movies will be ready for the summer blockbuster season, so they're holding it.

Also, they apparently do not want the movie released while Daniel Radcliffe is starring in the play Equus, where he gets nekkid.

Blah.

Fall is in the air

I said in July that I was feeling ready for school. Then a couple weeks ago, that the summer felt like it was lasting forever.

Mother Nature apparently agreed with me. Since Sunday, the weather changed abruptly from summer to fall. Sunday morning was gray, chilly and drizzly. Sunday morning was October!

Between the weather and preparing for school to start, fall is definately in the air. It's a good thing. I love fall.

Fabulous Week

I had a great week. Bryan came to town twice in three days to help me, because he's amazing. Joel and Heather came to help tonight. My room is now blue. (Not exactly what I would have chosen, but pleasant and comfortable.)

I saw many people I have not seen in a long time, also.

I ate an omelette at an all night restaurant after bedtime.

I got all the rest of the things I need for the beginning of school.

I felt like I was in college, with no real pressing responsibilities...but yet still got things accomplished.

Ironies

My husband says on Wednesday, "I have not seen you in almost two weeks. DO NOT make any plans with friends this weekend, we are spending it ALONE. If our friends call tell them that. If they call again, I'll kill them and not be their friend anymore."

Then...the next day, Keith calls. He's in town from Boston. We've not seen him in many months and may not again for many months. So, Donald bends the rules and we have lunch with Keith.

Today, Compton calls. He's in town. I've not seen him for a year and a half, Donald for even longer. So we make plans with him.

Tonight, Keith invites us to dinner, and we are going out with him and his sister.

Because of the circumstances of them both coming from other states and not knowing when we'll see them again, he can't kill them or cut off friendship.

Somewhere, Murphy laughs out loud.

*Update* After writing this, we were on our way home from dinner and Joel called and Andrew is also in town, they are on their way over to hang out. The laughing grows louder.

*Second update* Andrew is now spending the night with us. Murphy's amusement is eternal.

Home with a phone

I got home last night. I was ready to see Donald for sure, but as I waited for him to get off work at 11, i noticed my life was suddenly much quieter. I miss the babies being around. Funny how that works with kids. You get driven crazy in the car from joplin to springfield, and 2 hours later, you feel all alone because no one is there to make noise.

Today, I went to Alltel, because our contract is up this month. Verizon recently bought Alltel, but does not take over their customers until January. I wanted to be sure to reup our contract to hold our rate, and our My Circle deal. Anyone still on a contract, and not just a month to month plan, will be grandfathered in and allowed to keep all their current contract perks until their contract expires. They can then go month to month on the same plan or get a new contract with Verizon. Verizon rates are much higher for a comparable package and has no MyCircle numbers. Those, along with free nights starting at 7, have meant that we use only 300 anytime minutes a month, which is fantastic. The only problem with our plan has been that we have no free texts...and lots of our friends have unlimited free texts, but not many minutes so they text us alot rather than calling.

So, I studied the plan rates and ended up paying the same amount for our two lines as before, only we now have unlimited text to Alltel customers, unlimited text to our My Circle numbers and 1000 other texts apiece. Our nights now start at 9, however, but I think with my My Circle, that's ok. There are very few people we have really long conversations with, and those people can be our free numbers. We will still use very few actual minutes (but we have 1000, as thats the lowest you can get with two lines.) I also, for only $2, added roadside assistance to our phone. Incredible value. I am much pleased with this.

And, of course, my new phone is blue.

Update

Still in New Mexico. Planning on returning sometime between tuesday and thursday.

Next week I am painting my classroom blue. Any volunteers? I am sad I did not get to choose the color, but the district will only let you get paint from them on their "approved pallette." I wanted light blue, but I have no idea if their light blue and mine will be the same.

School starts soon. That seems strange. This has felt like the never ending summer!

I bought my mom two presents today at a farmers market/craft fair. I now have to decide if I have the self control to save them for Christmas or not...