Yes, yes, it's true. The plague has followed me to Michigan. I woke up yesterday with the sore throat again. The congestion never left me, it's been a month now. And it's back in full force again. So I am going to try resting and Comtrex and hot tea (echenacia from my aunt and uncle) and drink juice and eat good food and not stress because apparently it's a virus and my mom says virus just go away when they're ready. Lovely.
I hope everyone's excited getting ready for Christmas. I know I am. I've wrapped the presents, the trees are up, we're going to make cookies today, well I'll eat them at least:-)
I'm just glad to be home and on vacation and although there's no snow (in fact it was 50 degrees yesterday) it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Reporting from Michigan....
I am back in the mitten state! My travels went as planned Saturday and after a day in the air I made it home. The flight was fine although I learned I cannot use my laptop in the air because my arms are apparently too long and the little table is too close to me. It was impossible to type. So I read. And read. And read. And ate my pb&j sandwich which luckily I had packed because we were offered no snacks on our flight and they ran out of the crappy food you can buy for fifty bucks (okay, not that much but still...).
Yesterday I visited the grandparents, went to the Christmas cantata at church and then went caroling to the shut-ins, it was just like the old days. Except it was warm! Crazy!! I wore gloves but it was still relatively warm for MI.
Today we're still in our pjs waiting for a call from Chicago to see if Ang is headed back to the hospital. She rebounded Thursday and has been getting progressively worse all weekend. So I may be visiting the windy city this week!
Yesterday I visited the grandparents, went to the Christmas cantata at church and then went caroling to the shut-ins, it was just like the old days. Except it was warm! Crazy!! I wore gloves but it was still relatively warm for MI.
Today we're still in our pjs waiting for a call from Chicago to see if Ang is headed back to the hospital. She rebounded Thursday and has been getting progressively worse all weekend. So I may be visiting the windy city this week!
Friday, December 15, 2006
Leavin' on a jet plane...tomorrow
It's done! We survived this crazy pre-three-week-vacation week at school and it was pretty smooth. Today was the holiday assembly and we sang, we slimed a teacher (not me thank goodness), wrapped teachers in paper, heard the band, and sat through a lot of screaming. But the kids seemed to really enjoy it and there were no big to-dos!
I came home after and crashed, slept a while and now am getting ready for my flight tomorrow! Off to good old Michigan - woohoo!
Okay, I need to get some traveling rest, goodnight all!
TGIF!
I came home after and crashed, slept a while and now am getting ready for my flight tomorrow! Off to good old Michigan - woohoo!
Okay, I need to get some traveling rest, goodnight all!
TGIF!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Snowflake Bentley
Today I read a story to my kids, the book Snowflake Bentley about this guy who first photographed snowflakes. They were really into it which was pretty cool. Over half of them have never seen real snow. They couldn't believe snowflakes were a.)so small and b.)actually shaped like they are and c.)no two are exactly the same.
After we read it we began coloring this intricate snowflakes I copied from a book and they were really getting into it. I put on Christmas music and we were all in good moods. We're also decorating our classroom door for the door-decorating contest and I think we have an awesome theme (though the kids are a bit skeptical). I have them put blue paper on the back and then I printed out a sign that reads "Each of us in this room is unique, just like every snowflake." Then we're going to put our snowflakes up on it. I am not sure we'll win, there are some teachers with lights and wrapping paper and crazy chains of red and green but I love our door so far and it can stay up well into January!
So yeah, we aren't doing much in class these next two days which rocks. We'll finish our snowflakes (and our origin myths for those slower students), read a bit more, and listen to more Christmas music. They really like the James Tayor Jingle Bells I got free off of itunes last week! There was even some spontaneous dancing! And in seventh hour we played the song five times.
So yeah, today was a good day! We had a fun (gasp!) staff meeting during which we played a white elephant game (I got a cool wooden snowman) and then I had my monthly new teachers' meeting which even though I usually dread the extra time after work, was good today. Basically we just talked about what's working and what's not in our classrooms and that was pretty cool. Plus it's nice to catch up with the people I went through induction with and don't always see on a regular basis as they aren't in my hallway, on my team, or in my department.
So tomorrow it's bus duty, more snowflakes, maybe we'll read Stranger in the Woods, and then more packing because I head to Michigan in 57 hours! Woohoo! Oh, and Ang is home in Howell, released from the hospital. Today rocks!
After we read it we began coloring this intricate snowflakes I copied from a book and they were really getting into it. I put on Christmas music and we were all in good moods. We're also decorating our classroom door for the door-decorating contest and I think we have an awesome theme (though the kids are a bit skeptical). I have them put blue paper on the back and then I printed out a sign that reads "Each of us in this room is unique, just like every snowflake." Then we're going to put our snowflakes up on it. I am not sure we'll win, there are some teachers with lights and wrapping paper and crazy chains of red and green but I love our door so far and it can stay up well into January!
So yeah, we aren't doing much in class these next two days which rocks. We'll finish our snowflakes (and our origin myths for those slower students), read a bit more, and listen to more Christmas music. They really like the James Tayor Jingle Bells I got free off of itunes last week! There was even some spontaneous dancing! And in seventh hour we played the song five times.
So yeah, today was a good day! We had a fun (gasp!) staff meeting during which we played a white elephant game (I got a cool wooden snowman) and then I had my monthly new teachers' meeting which even though I usually dread the extra time after work, was good today. Basically we just talked about what's working and what's not in our classrooms and that was pretty cool. Plus it's nice to catch up with the people I went through induction with and don't always see on a regular basis as they aren't in my hallway, on my team, or in my department.
So tomorrow it's bus duty, more snowflakes, maybe we'll read Stranger in the Woods, and then more packing because I head to Michigan in 57 hours! Woohoo! Oh, and Ang is home in Howell, released from the hospital. Today rocks!
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Three days
It's getting to me and the kids - Christmasitis. I'm playing Christmas music at school and spending a ridiculous amount of time trying to figure out how to fold paper to make snowflakes. Tomorrow I will give up and just have us color some. We are all counting down the days until vacation. Me in my head, them on their papers and in their handbooks in big colored letters. And they have this weird obsession with wearing gloves all the time. Those silly little 99 cent gloves that really protect your hands against nothing (well in Michigan at least, here there's nothing to protect against really). I threw a pair in the trash today that I found lying in my room. When the owner came looking for them I denied knowing anything and did not feel bad about it.
Today I had my kids journal about what they'd like for Christmas that couldn't be bought with money. Some had a difficult time. Others surprised me with their thoughts. One girl wants a job for her grandpa because he's angry he can't find one. Another wants time with an uncle who died a few years back. Others want world peace and Osama bin Laden captured. Some want no one to be hungry on Christmas day others want boy/girlfriends and people who've moved away to come back. One wants to fly into outer space (I didn't have the heart to tell him you can now buy that). Another wants her mom and dad back together for good. One wants a mom off drugs. One wanted the mall. These are my kids and I love them. Even when they won't stop talking.
Sometimes they show such maturity. Today I explained that a classmate has pnemonia and a collapsed lung and will be hospitalized all week and that her dad would love a few visitors for her. Some kids were joking about it but a few others shushed them and reminded them this was serious. And that pnemonia was a spelling work last week. That's making learning relevant in my book!
And to top off this crazy Christmas week (the Christmas music still drifts through the halls) we are having a slime-the-teacher assembly on Friday yet I doubt my kids will shell out the money to move me to the top of the list (thank goodness) and we're supposed to decorate our doors for a contest and bring in canned goods and change for the veterans. And tomorrow is the staff potluck and white elephant exchange. Oh yeah, and we're supposed to be teaching them something this week.
Three days, I only need to make it three more days!
Today I had my kids journal about what they'd like for Christmas that couldn't be bought with money. Some had a difficult time. Others surprised me with their thoughts. One girl wants a job for her grandpa because he's angry he can't find one. Another wants time with an uncle who died a few years back. Others want world peace and Osama bin Laden captured. Some want no one to be hungry on Christmas day others want boy/girlfriends and people who've moved away to come back. One wants to fly into outer space (I didn't have the heart to tell him you can now buy that). Another wants her mom and dad back together for good. One wants a mom off drugs. One wanted the mall. These are my kids and I love them. Even when they won't stop talking.
Sometimes they show such maturity. Today I explained that a classmate has pnemonia and a collapsed lung and will be hospitalized all week and that her dad would love a few visitors for her. Some kids were joking about it but a few others shushed them and reminded them this was serious. And that pnemonia was a spelling work last week. That's making learning relevant in my book!
And to top off this crazy Christmas week (the Christmas music still drifts through the halls) we are having a slime-the-teacher assembly on Friday yet I doubt my kids will shell out the money to move me to the top of the list (thank goodness) and we're supposed to decorate our doors for a contest and bring in canned goods and change for the veterans. And tomorrow is the staff potluck and white elephant exchange. Oh yeah, and we're supposed to be teaching them something this week.
Three days, I only need to make it three more days!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Random ramblings
-Today was one of those days where I got a lot accomplished and it feels good. I got the house cleaned, the beds changed, laundry done, candy made for the Christmas potluck Wednesday, calls accepted and made, trash taken out, a movie watched (Nine Lives which was very good if you like independents (i.e., not Angela) - it was like looking in the window at a moment in a person's life, well nine persons to be exact), some cross-stitch done (though doubtfully finished by Christmas like I had hoped when I started it less than a month ago), and even a little writing mixed it.
-Angela is still in the hospital. She was threatening to escape tomorrow, to give up but I think I persuaded her to stick it out with a stuffed pig named Beans delivered to her room tied to a balloon.
-For a while this afternoon I thought we were being attacked. Huge helios were flying overhead but then I remembered that this is the week of Desert Talon, the huge training drill here when soliders from all over the country come to train in preparation for deployment. According to the news tonight they come here because our climate is very much like that of Iraq's. Good to know.
-This is the last week of school before our three-week Christmas vacation. I am very excited. We're going to read Snowflake Bentley and cut out snowflakes to hang all over the room. We're also going to take a big unit test and finish writing our origin myths (inspiration=the Greek myth Echo and Narcissus).
-I got my hair cut yesterday and the stylist went a bit crazy. Well insane really. I wanted a few inches off and my hair is now just below my ears. I am still in shock. Tomorrow I'll wash it and see how it curls up (she straightened it yesterday) and see what the damage is. Figures, just as we go into a big family photo-op time.
-Christmas is 2 weeks away! I can't wait. I get like a little kid this time of year. Today I was talking to my dad on the phone about our annual Christmas shopping outing to buy mom's gifts and I got really excited. I watched Rudolph Friday night, and have been downloading new Christmas itunes. (By the way It Came Upon a Midnight Clear by Sixpence None the Richer rocks. And it doesn't hurt it was featured in last year's Christmas episode of Grey's Anatomy.) The fact that it was 70 degrees here today was a bit weird as I am having a hard time remembering it's December but I lit candles anyway!
-Angela is still in the hospital. She was threatening to escape tomorrow, to give up but I think I persuaded her to stick it out with a stuffed pig named Beans delivered to her room tied to a balloon.
-For a while this afternoon I thought we were being attacked. Huge helios were flying overhead but then I remembered that this is the week of Desert Talon, the huge training drill here when soliders from all over the country come to train in preparation for deployment. According to the news tonight they come here because our climate is very much like that of Iraq's. Good to know.
-This is the last week of school before our three-week Christmas vacation. I am very excited. We're going to read Snowflake Bentley and cut out snowflakes to hang all over the room. We're also going to take a big unit test and finish writing our origin myths (inspiration=the Greek myth Echo and Narcissus).
-I got my hair cut yesterday and the stylist went a bit crazy. Well insane really. I wanted a few inches off and my hair is now just below my ears. I am still in shock. Tomorrow I'll wash it and see how it curls up (she straightened it yesterday) and see what the damage is. Figures, just as we go into a big family photo-op time.
-Christmas is 2 weeks away! I can't wait. I get like a little kid this time of year. Today I was talking to my dad on the phone about our annual Christmas shopping outing to buy mom's gifts and I got really excited. I watched Rudolph Friday night, and have been downloading new Christmas itunes. (By the way It Came Upon a Midnight Clear by Sixpence None the Richer rocks. And it doesn't hurt it was featured in last year's Christmas episode of Grey's Anatomy.) The fact that it was 70 degrees here today was a bit weird as I am having a hard time remembering it's December but I lit candles anyway!
Saturday, December 09, 2006
An amendment
So maybe I don't really want to be on myspace.com after all. After researching a bit I came across the pages of some of my cousins. Cousins who are young, still in public school. And now I know a little too much about them. I wonder how much they (in the collective everyone sense) realize that this stuff is OUT THERE. For everyone to read. Including my 80 year old grandmother. And college administrators. And parents. And the cops.
Just a thought. Guess I'll stick to my blog, which I "publish" and send out there.
Just a thought. Guess I'll stick to my blog, which I "publish" and send out there.
Friday, December 08, 2006
So I guess I'm not cool enough...
I decided tonight to sign up on myspace.com - mostly so I can peep the pages of my friends who've set their's as private and require a sign-in to view.
But no.
I am not cool enough.
That's the only thing I can figure out.
I have tried and tried to sign up for an account. It doesn't seem that difficult. Enter an email address and some basic info. Hit enter. Bam - it keeps telling me that according to the information entered I am ineligible for an account. So I change my email address to a different one, yet still mine.
Same message.
So I am going to bed. I have cleaned off my desk. I have balanced my checkbook. I have paid my bills and figured out I will be in debt until I am 145 years old. I have eaten my dinner alone while watching Rudolph. And now I am going to bed.
Yeah. So not cool:-)
But no.
I am not cool enough.
That's the only thing I can figure out.
I have tried and tried to sign up for an account. It doesn't seem that difficult. Enter an email address and some basic info. Hit enter. Bam - it keeps telling me that according to the information entered I am ineligible for an account. So I change my email address to a different one, yet still mine.
Same message.
So I am going to bed. I have cleaned off my desk. I have balanced my checkbook. I have paid my bills and figured out I will be in debt until I am 145 years old. I have eaten my dinner alone while watching Rudolph. And now I am going to bed.
Yeah. So not cool:-)
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Mull this over
I belong to a daily listserv (www.mikeysFunnies.com) that supplies me with laughs and "thots" every day. This was today's offering and I thought it was very cool; something to ponder as we approach this holiday season.
CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS FOR ALL THE YEAR
By the Editors of McCall's magazine, December, 1959
CHRISTMAS is celebration; and celebration is instinct in the heart. With gift and feast, with scarlet ribbon and fresh green bough, with merriment and the sound of music, we commend the day--oasis in the long, long landscape of the commonplace. Through how many centuries, through how may threatening circumstances, has Christmas been celebrated, since that cry came ringing down the ages, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring yougood tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke2:10-11 KJV)
Christmas is celebration, but the traditions that cluster sweetly aroundthe day have significance only if they translate the heart's intention--the yearning of the human spirit to compass and express faith and hope and love. Without this intention, the gift is bare, and the celebration a touch of tinsel, and the time without meaning. As these attributes, exemplifying the divine spark in mankind, informed the first Christmas and have survived the onslaughts of relentless time, so do they shine untarnished in this present year of our Lord.
Faith and hope and love, which cannot be bought or sold or bartered, but only given away are the wellsprings, firm and deep of Christmas celebration. These are the gifts without price, the ornaments in capableof imitation, discovered only within oneself and therefore unique. They are not always easy to come by, but they are in unlimited supply ever inthe province of all.
THIS CHRISTMAS mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion, and replace it with trust. Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Find the time. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand. Flout envy.
Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Appreciate. Be kind; be gentle. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Deserve confidence.
Take up arms against malice. Decry complacency. Express your gratitude. Go to church. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still once again.
These are but inklings of a vast category; a mere scratching of thesurface. They are simple things; you have heard them all before; but their influence has never been measured.
Christmas is celebration, and there is no celebration that compares with the realization of its true meaning—with the sudden stirring of the heart that has extended itself toward the core of life. Then, only then, is it possible to grasp the significance of the first Christmas--to savor in the inward ear the wild, sweet music of the angel choir; to envision the star-struck sky, and glimpse, behind the eyelids the ray of light that feel athwart a darkened path and changed the world.
CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS FOR ALL THE YEAR
By the Editors of McCall's magazine, December, 1959
CHRISTMAS is celebration; and celebration is instinct in the heart. With gift and feast, with scarlet ribbon and fresh green bough, with merriment and the sound of music, we commend the day--oasis in the long, long landscape of the commonplace. Through how many centuries, through how may threatening circumstances, has Christmas been celebrated, since that cry came ringing down the ages, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring yougood tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke2:10-11 KJV)
Christmas is celebration, but the traditions that cluster sweetly aroundthe day have significance only if they translate the heart's intention--the yearning of the human spirit to compass and express faith and hope and love. Without this intention, the gift is bare, and the celebration a touch of tinsel, and the time without meaning. As these attributes, exemplifying the divine spark in mankind, informed the first Christmas and have survived the onslaughts of relentless time, so do they shine untarnished in this present year of our Lord.
Faith and hope and love, which cannot be bought or sold or bartered, but only given away are the wellsprings, firm and deep of Christmas celebration. These are the gifts without price, the ornaments in capableof imitation, discovered only within oneself and therefore unique. They are not always easy to come by, but they are in unlimited supply ever inthe province of all.
THIS CHRISTMAS mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion, and replace it with trust. Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Find the time. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand. Flout envy.
Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Appreciate. Be kind; be gentle. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Deserve confidence.
Take up arms against malice. Decry complacency. Express your gratitude. Go to church. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still once again.
These are but inklings of a vast category; a mere scratching of thesurface. They are simple things; you have heard them all before; but their influence has never been measured.
Christmas is celebration, and there is no celebration that compares with the realization of its true meaning—with the sudden stirring of the heart that has extended itself toward the core of life. Then, only then, is it possible to grasp the significance of the first Christmas--to savor in the inward ear the wild, sweet music of the angel choir; to envision the star-struck sky, and glimpse, behind the eyelids the ray of light that feel athwart a darkened path and changed the world.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Weekday update
Just a little note to let all of you know the what's what and who's who!
Angela made it to Chicago safe and sound. She's staying with our cousin John who apparently has a kickin' apartment. She had an appointment at the Diamond Headache Clinic today, got a couple of shots and is awaiting admission into St. Joseph's Hospital. There's a waiting list so it will likely be tomorrow or Friday before she can get a room.
Not much else is going on. I am back at work after my 2-day hiatus for the upper respiratory infection. I am slowly mending though I still feel like I go through the days in slow-motion. And I come home and crash. Though tonight I did manage to write out all my Christmas cards. So that was an accomplishment. Though not much of one since it is now 9:30 and I am heading to bed, exhausted.
I did watch some Netflix tonight, The Aristocrats and Sarah Silverman's Jesus is Magic. Both were pretty funny.
Okay, off to bed. I'll try to be more entertaining tomorrow.
Angela made it to Chicago safe and sound. She's staying with our cousin John who apparently has a kickin' apartment. She had an appointment at the Diamond Headache Clinic today, got a couple of shots and is awaiting admission into St. Joseph's Hospital. There's a waiting list so it will likely be tomorrow or Friday before she can get a room.
Not much else is going on. I am back at work after my 2-day hiatus for the upper respiratory infection. I am slowly mending though I still feel like I go through the days in slow-motion. And I come home and crash. Though tonight I did manage to write out all my Christmas cards. So that was an accomplishment. Though not much of one since it is now 9:30 and I am heading to bed, exhausted.
I did watch some Netflix tonight, The Aristocrats and Sarah Silverman's Jesus is Magic. Both were pretty funny.
Okay, off to bed. I'll try to be more entertaining tomorrow.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Solidarity, sister!
Angela is requesting I blog in support of her outrage and so I am. We just got back from the United States Post Office. Where, in big, bold, bright letters the sign proclaims you can do all your mailing 24/7. Yet, this is not true. It was 10:45pm when we got there and guess what - yep, that's right. We couldn't mail a darn thing. The computer that allows you to mail packages was down for daily maintenance. The machine that sells stamps was out of service. Now you might ask why in the world we were trying to mail things at 10:30 on a Sunday night. Well you see, we are both sick. And this weekend was trashed because of that. I have done little more than lie in bed the last 3 days and I will continue to do so tomorrow. But I did manage to get 2 Christmas packages ready to mail this weekend and they need to go out. And since the post office is only open 8am-5pm, the exact hours we work just about, we decided to go tonight. But alas, our plan was foiled.
When does life ever get easier?!?!?!
Angela fought with Sprint on the phone this morning over our wireless bill and still, nothing is fixed. They charged me 10 bucks for a roaming call from Tijanuana. Yet I have never been to Tijanuana. And that day when they said I called my parents from there I distinctly remember driving on a road here in Yuma county. Interesting! Oh yeah, and every month they forget our educator's discount and no, they certainly can't make it retroactive because then everyone could call up and claim to work for a public school. Even though they made us bring pay stubs in back in June! And then they keep tacking on this Sprint vision charge for the internet yet we emphatically said we didn't want the internet on our phones! Oy vay!!!
It's all a conspiracy to make our lives difficult.
So yeah, there you go. Those are my rants for today. I am heading to bed with my Kleenex and water bottle and homemade cough syrup. And I plan on staying there tomorrow!
When does life ever get easier?!?!?!
Angela fought with Sprint on the phone this morning over our wireless bill and still, nothing is fixed. They charged me 10 bucks for a roaming call from Tijanuana. Yet I have never been to Tijanuana. And that day when they said I called my parents from there I distinctly remember driving on a road here in Yuma county. Interesting! Oh yeah, and every month they forget our educator's discount and no, they certainly can't make it retroactive because then everyone could call up and claim to work for a public school. Even though they made us bring pay stubs in back in June! And then they keep tacking on this Sprint vision charge for the internet yet we emphatically said we didn't want the internet on our phones! Oy vay!!!
It's all a conspiracy to make our lives difficult.
So yeah, there you go. Those are my rants for today. I am heading to bed with my Kleenex and water bottle and homemade cough syrup. And I plan on staying there tomorrow!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
The Short Short
I did it! I just entered one of Patricia's chapters into a contest. It was Writer's Digests' Short Short Story Contest (1500 words or less) and of course the deadline is Dec. 1st. And that is in 52 minutes. It's true what "they" say, if it weren't for the last minute, nothing would ever get done.
I feel excited by this! I know it's probably not a big deal and it's $12 down the drain but still - you never know. (Well, I'll know in February).
Okay - it's off to bed. The elves were busy tonight wrapping Christmas baskets of cookies and candy for work tomorrow. Being Dec. 1st we figured we should kick the gift giving off. Plus, Ang is leaving us very soon.
In other news -
1. I am still feeling sickly. Very sickly. And my students fear one of my lungs will go careening through the air every time I attempt a cough. It was a great day!
2. I love the writing on Grey's Anatomy. Love, love, love it. Can I please, oh please, have a writing job for Christmas? Pretty please Santa?!!?!
3. It was 32 degrees this morning and silly me - without a proper winter coat. That's right. When I moved to the south side of the sun I was told not to bring anything heavier than an Old Navy sweatshirt. "It never gets cool here." Well bull! It gets downright cold. Brrrr!!! So I wore my lined suit with a long sleeved shirt underneath and my trench coat buttoned up to the top. And I was still cold!
I feel excited by this! I know it's probably not a big deal and it's $12 down the drain but still - you never know. (Well, I'll know in February).
Okay - it's off to bed. The elves were busy tonight wrapping Christmas baskets of cookies and candy for work tomorrow. Being Dec. 1st we figured we should kick the gift giving off. Plus, Ang is leaving us very soon.
In other news -
1. I am still feeling sickly. Very sickly. And my students fear one of my lungs will go careening through the air every time I attempt a cough. It was a great day!
2. I love the writing on Grey's Anatomy. Love, love, love it. Can I please, oh please, have a writing job for Christmas? Pretty please Santa?!!?!
3. It was 32 degrees this morning and silly me - without a proper winter coat. That's right. When I moved to the south side of the sun I was told not to bring anything heavier than an Old Navy sweatshirt. "It never gets cool here." Well bull! It gets downright cold. Brrrr!!! So I wore my lined suit with a long sleeved shirt underneath and my trench coat buttoned up to the top. And I was still cold!
Monday, November 27, 2006
A case of the Mondays
Yes, it's true. It was a pretty great weekend. We ate, we hung out with friends, we went shopping, we saw a movie, we brunched, we baked, we read, we played Christmas music loudly with the doors open because it's 80 degrees here.
And then Monday morning happened.
Angela woke up sick. And kept getting sicker. She's been tossing her cookies into my trash can (hers is mesh) for over 12 hours now.
And I have the plauge. The common sore throat, achy thing you catch from a building of kids and bad air circulation. Lovely.
So I'll depart after a few random thoughts:
- The movie we saw this weekend was Casino Royale, the new James Bond flick. It was good. Very good. It was my first Bond and I am sure Daniel Craig will forever be my Bond. Go see it, it's a great way to spend a few hours on a Saturday afternoon.
- There's this obsession out here with riding four-wheelers or quads over the sand dunes. It seems insane but thousands do it every weekend with their RVs and their campfires. And 4 people died this weekend around Yuma in dune accidents. People are STUPID.
- We've been engaged over in Iraq longer than WWII. And now it's being deemed a civil war. Who's running this show and what's the plan? Seriously.
- My grandma turned 81 today and I am really missing home. And not just because I want someone to take care of me when I'm sick.
- I need a B-12 shot like they were handing out on Studio 60 tonight.
And then Monday morning happened.
Angela woke up sick. And kept getting sicker. She's been tossing her cookies into my trash can (hers is mesh) for over 12 hours now.
And I have the plauge. The common sore throat, achy thing you catch from a building of kids and bad air circulation. Lovely.
So I'll depart after a few random thoughts:
- The movie we saw this weekend was Casino Royale, the new James Bond flick. It was good. Very good. It was my first Bond and I am sure Daniel Craig will forever be my Bond. Go see it, it's a great way to spend a few hours on a Saturday afternoon.
- There's this obsession out here with riding four-wheelers or quads over the sand dunes. It seems insane but thousands do it every weekend with their RVs and their campfires. And 4 people died this weekend around Yuma in dune accidents. People are STUPID.
- We've been engaged over in Iraq longer than WWII. And now it's being deemed a civil war. Who's running this show and what's the plan? Seriously.
- My grandma turned 81 today and I am really missing home. And not just because I want someone to take care of me when I'm sick.
- I need a B-12 shot like they were handing out on Studio 60 tonight.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
A day to be thankful
On Thursday Angela and I went down to the Crossroads Mission on the river. It was a hot day, in the 80s and they had this whole empty lot set up with tables and chairs, a "store" with clothes and stuffed animals and tons of people. There were so many volunteers that some even left their food and went home, promising to come back at Christmas. We're guessing that they served around 1000 people. We went through a lot of turkey, that was our station. This group that fights child abuse, the Rough Riders, cooked most of the food and were there (with their motorcycles!) to serve. It was very humbling to see so many people, so hungry, but also thankful for what they were getting. We saw a lot of kids too, which was sad. But they made us smile too. They ate their pie first, they ran around with the whipped cream and squirted it in the mouths, they were too shy to carry their own plates, they were covered in dirt and grime. There were women who looked tired and were carrying babies and bags of their belongings. There were men who looked hard, tired, old, who talked of living 2o years in the institution. Angela helped one man carry meals down to the boys on the corner who were too embarrassed to come up for food because they were drinking.
It was hot and dusty and no one seemed to notice. There was prayer and music and so much food. We gave out heaping platefuls and seconds and thirds. We encouraged people to take food to their families and to take some for later. We sent plates in to the people in the detox center next door. And there were so many volunteers. Many were "snowbirds" and it was great to see them sharing their holiday in that way. There were also members of the Marines and Navy there spending their time away from family with other people's families.
I was glad we could do this. I was glad that these people, every single one of them, got food on at least that day. A day when so many of us have too much food (including Ang and I - we still have leftovers!). It was an awesome reminder of how thankful I need to be. I have a roof over my head, I have a job that pays me, I have things, I want for very little that I actually need. I am grateful because I was on the other side of the line Thursday. I am also grateful because those people I met Thursday taught me a lot about cherishing what is most important and helping no matter what.
It was hot and dusty and no one seemed to notice. There was prayer and music and so much food. We gave out heaping platefuls and seconds and thirds. We encouraged people to take food to their families and to take some for later. We sent plates in to the people in the detox center next door. And there were so many volunteers. Many were "snowbirds" and it was great to see them sharing their holiday in that way. There were also members of the Marines and Navy there spending their time away from family with other people's families.
I was glad we could do this. I was glad that these people, every single one of them, got food on at least that day. A day when so many of us have too much food (including Ang and I - we still have leftovers!). It was an awesome reminder of how thankful I need to be. I have a roof over my head, I have a job that pays me, I have things, I want for very little that I actually need. I am grateful because I was on the other side of the line Thursday. I am also grateful because those people I met Thursday taught me a lot about cherishing what is most important and helping no matter what.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
A midnight crisis
Okay, so it wasn't exactly midnight. It was 10:30 tonight, on a Sunday, when you are supposed to be getting ready for bed and for the week to come. Another busy week. This week has been hectic enough: formal observations and evaluations at work, dealing with a team member leaving, Angela's still sick and getting worse, Christmas shopping - Oy!
So we went Walmarting today and a few other stops and ever since I've had this nagging feeling. So I came up to check my checking account balance and low-and-behold I apparently had a stroke this week and didn't write down several charges from the debit card, including last week's Walmarting and Christmas shopping! All the receipts were there but I had "forgotten" to put the numbers down. Ugh. And I wonder why my stomach is hurting right now (thus the blogging and not sleeping).
So yeah - after a tense half hour I finally figured it all out and bam! I have $14.40 left until payday (thank goodness for savings accounts hooked up to transfer funds! The internet is amazing!). Sometimes life seems so easy but it never is, is it?!?!
So yeah, I have my third formal observation first thing tomorrow morning. Third in as many weeks. It's fine, I know everyone goes through it but it's a bit nerve wracking. The good news is my bosses said I did a great job during my last two and I got all the "points" possible. (If anyone knows T4S speak, I got my 5 out of 8!)
But on the upside I have stuck to my guns and have not charged Christmas gifts or any recent groceries. I almost did today but held back. And it was a lot of groceries. We are making a turkey here on Thursday for just us and we are making cookies for everyone we work with for Christmas presents so we had to stock up!
Also tonight Angela and I made a blanket! Yep - one of those no-sew fleece throws. It was fun and it only took about an hour and a half. We made it for our friend Shannon for Christmas, it's a mauvey-purple and sagey-light-green.
Also, I'm well on my way to being done with most of my Christmas shopping. A few more things to get and/or order online and voila! done before it's even December. Woohoo. We went to Mexico yesterday and picked up some awesome gifts (for some of you!!!) and got good deals. And a 12-pack of Coca Light! Which we then proceeded to drag almost an hour in line to get back into the U.S. That was fun. I even got a little sunburned, it was about 90 out and very sunny!
Okay, my stomach's settling and I am tired! Happy new week everyone!
So we went Walmarting today and a few other stops and ever since I've had this nagging feeling. So I came up to check my checking account balance and low-and-behold I apparently had a stroke this week and didn't write down several charges from the debit card, including last week's Walmarting and Christmas shopping! All the receipts were there but I had "forgotten" to put the numbers down. Ugh. And I wonder why my stomach is hurting right now (thus the blogging and not sleeping).
So yeah - after a tense half hour I finally figured it all out and bam! I have $14.40 left until payday (thank goodness for savings accounts hooked up to transfer funds! The internet is amazing!). Sometimes life seems so easy but it never is, is it?!?!
So yeah, I have my third formal observation first thing tomorrow morning. Third in as many weeks. It's fine, I know everyone goes through it but it's a bit nerve wracking. The good news is my bosses said I did a great job during my last two and I got all the "points" possible. (If anyone knows T4S speak, I got my 5 out of 8!)
But on the upside I have stuck to my guns and have not charged Christmas gifts or any recent groceries. I almost did today but held back. And it was a lot of groceries. We are making a turkey here on Thursday for just us and we are making cookies for everyone we work with for Christmas presents so we had to stock up!
Also tonight Angela and I made a blanket! Yep - one of those no-sew fleece throws. It was fun and it only took about an hour and a half. We made it for our friend Shannon for Christmas, it's a mauvey-purple and sagey-light-green.
Also, I'm well on my way to being done with most of my Christmas shopping. A few more things to get and/or order online and voila! done before it's even December. Woohoo. We went to Mexico yesterday and picked up some awesome gifts (for some of you!!!) and got good deals. And a 12-pack of Coca Light! Which we then proceeded to drag almost an hour in line to get back into the U.S. That was fun. I even got a little sunburned, it was about 90 out and very sunny!
Okay, my stomach's settling and I am tired! Happy new week everyone!
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Weekend Update
Some ramblings from my three days "off":
- I got a pedicure yesterday and the color of my toes is I'm not a dirty mistress. Once we saw it we just had to get it. You Grey's fans will know what I'm talking about;-)
- There is nothing worse than being at Walmart and having the cart with the bum steering. It felt like I was pulling a mule around the store. Ugh.
- Last night when we walked back over the border we saw the giant photos of our pres and vp. Bush looked normal (for him) but Cheney had this evil smirk. I swear! We were commenting on it in line. It was rather annoying to be forced to look at his mug while waiting.
- We got a three day weekend from school yet I have managed to put in almost over 7 hours this weekend. What a bargin!
- Friday night I was introduced to several of Yuma's finest establishments. At one there was a man and a woman in the woman's restroom, in another there was a girl who couldn't pull her pants up. Ah, big city Yuma!
- I did some Christmas shopping this weekend even though it feels far from Christmasy here. But the songs and snacks and sights in Hallmark helped:-)
- Know that a turkey breast and a turkey loaf are so not the same thing!
- Funny story: While walking back to our car last night (we parked at a Del Sol grocery store half a mile from the Mexican border) I mentioned to Ang that I wanted to get some Coca Light next week when we went to Algodones (it's Diet Coke but it's SO SO SO much better than the stuff her in the states, it's insane!). She said, "Let's go into the store and get some right now." I said, "We're not in Mexico weirdo." Yep, that's right. Even where you're in America here, it feels, looks, sounds and is very much like Mexico (we like to call it 'Wee Mexico').
- And finally, I've been minding the federal government's and all the healthcare officials warnings and have been trying to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. I've walked a total of 14 miles in 7 days, done Tae Bo and weights and right now my body feels like crap. My muscles hurt, my joints hurt, and I feel old. Great.
- All in all quite the weekend. And tomorrow it starts all over again!
- I got a pedicure yesterday and the color of my toes is I'm not a dirty mistress. Once we saw it we just had to get it. You Grey's fans will know what I'm talking about;-)
- There is nothing worse than being at Walmart and having the cart with the bum steering. It felt like I was pulling a mule around the store. Ugh.
- Last night when we walked back over the border we saw the giant photos of our pres and vp. Bush looked normal (for him) but Cheney had this evil smirk. I swear! We were commenting on it in line. It was rather annoying to be forced to look at his mug while waiting.
- We got a three day weekend from school yet I have managed to put in almost over 7 hours this weekend. What a bargin!
- Friday night I was introduced to several of Yuma's finest establishments. At one there was a man and a woman in the woman's restroom, in another there was a girl who couldn't pull her pants up. Ah, big city Yuma!
- I did some Christmas shopping this weekend even though it feels far from Christmasy here. But the songs and snacks and sights in Hallmark helped:-)
- Know that a turkey breast and a turkey loaf are so not the same thing!
- Funny story: While walking back to our car last night (we parked at a Del Sol grocery store half a mile from the Mexican border) I mentioned to Ang that I wanted to get some Coca Light next week when we went to Algodones (it's Diet Coke but it's SO SO SO much better than the stuff her in the states, it's insane!). She said, "Let's go into the store and get some right now." I said, "We're not in Mexico weirdo." Yep, that's right. Even where you're in America here, it feels, looks, sounds and is very much like Mexico (we like to call it 'Wee Mexico').
- And finally, I've been minding the federal government's and all the healthcare officials warnings and have been trying to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. I've walked a total of 14 miles in 7 days, done Tae Bo and weights and right now my body feels like crap. My muscles hurt, my joints hurt, and I feel old. Great.
- All in all quite the weekend. And tomorrow it starts all over again!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Just when I thought today couldn't get any better...
OMG! (This is the standard opening line for most of my girls papers - OMG is the best in 7th grade slang)
It started off as a pretty good day (for a day that included work and 3 meetings and walking 4 miles). I woke up to the glorious news that we, the Democrats, had taken control of the House back. I was elated. Nancy Pelosi and her list of things to do in her first 100 hours. I can't wait! Christmas in November. It begins to make up for 2004. Especially if something happens to the president and vice president - hello President Pelosi!
And then I went to lunch, where we have rather spirited conversations even though we're all on the same "side". And there I learned that Rumsfeld had resigned! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
So that was great. And then when I got home we learned that the Democrats had also taken the Senate! Could I be any happier?
So I turned off the political stuff and watched this week's episode of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. The show that is well written, well acted, funny, and interesting I'd like to reiterate. So that was a nice capstone to the evening - even though it's been rumored to be on the chopping block at NBC.
BUT WAIT -
I retire to my bedroom, click on some of my favorite blogs and newsites and low and behold, I have received yet one more gift today - on what I thought would be a random Wednesday in November.
Studio 60 has been picked up for a FULL SEASON!
Life is good. Things are returning to normal in the world. And I am happy.
So I am going to sleep:-)
It started off as a pretty good day (for a day that included work and 3 meetings and walking 4 miles). I woke up to the glorious news that we, the Democrats, had taken control of the House back. I was elated. Nancy Pelosi and her list of things to do in her first 100 hours. I can't wait! Christmas in November. It begins to make up for 2004. Especially if something happens to the president and vice president - hello President Pelosi!
And then I went to lunch, where we have rather spirited conversations even though we're all on the same "side". And there I learned that Rumsfeld had resigned! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
So that was great. And then when I got home we learned that the Democrats had also taken the Senate! Could I be any happier?
So I turned off the political stuff and watched this week's episode of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. The show that is well written, well acted, funny, and interesting I'd like to reiterate. So that was a nice capstone to the evening - even though it's been rumored to be on the chopping block at NBC.
BUT WAIT -
I retire to my bedroom, click on some of my favorite blogs and newsites and low and behold, I have received yet one more gift today - on what I thought would be a random Wednesday in November.
Studio 60 has been picked up for a FULL SEASON!
Life is good. Things are returning to normal in the world. And I am happy.
So I am going to sleep:-)
Monday, November 06, 2006
Mini Moe
On Saturday I added a new member to our household - Mini Moe. Yep, I broke down and bought a television. The giant moster that was Angela's 27 inch died recently. Well it was a slow death actually. It started with the screen blanking out and then it took a while to warm up. And then it died completely. After a morning of trying to do my walking tape with no picture I gave up. We thought about moving hers downstairs but then I decided to bite the bullet. We really wanted one of those nice plasmas but alas we ended up at Walmart purchasing a nice, flat screen (not to be confused with a flat panel we quickly discovered) 20 inch. And at a mere 99 dollars it fit nicely into my budget. (Well if you call having literally $16 to my name right now fitting nicely then yes.) So there it is - my guilty pleasure, tv. My must have - Mini Moe. So named because it's half the size of Ang's Mightly Millie (okay, I just made that up but whatever - it was a freakin' huge tv, we both have hernias from putting it in the dumpster. And a mere 20 minutes later when I took more trash out it was already gone from said dumpster!).
So that was my exciting weekend. It's not nearly as big as the pretty silver tv Chris helped me pick out at Best Buy but I can carry this one and I don't need a computer science degree to hook it up. In about 40 seconds we were already watching the Food Network. With a picture this time. And I'm hoping I don't have to sell this one for gas money:-)
So that was my exciting weekend. It's not nearly as big as the pretty silver tv Chris helped me pick out at Best Buy but I can carry this one and I don't need a computer science degree to hook it up. In about 40 seconds we were already watching the Food Network. With a picture this time. And I'm hoping I don't have to sell this one for gas money:-)
Friday, November 03, 2006
A very quiet night in Stars Hollow
So yeah - we scheduled our first games night for tonight and while the invitations were readily accepted on Monday, when it got to today, it was a whole different story. That's right - Angela and I spent the night alone, well not completely alone if you count the fabulous cast of Gilmore Girls. So yeah, that was disappointing. But I will survive. I've vented, I've eaten too many chocolate chip cookies and tomorrow is another day. A day full of promise, of excitement, of things not yet realized. That's what's so great about every single new day. It's NEW!
School was pretty good this week. Except there is a student I am VERY angry with. He got 3 referrals today, including being kicked out of in school suspension. So that's annoying. But I am trying to remember he's 12 and I'm not. So I've got that going for me.
But we're reading a hilarious book in class and the kids love it. So much so that I was reading to them when the final bell rang today and no one realized it was time to leave! How great is that.
Alrighty, I am off to bed. I am happy and ready to start anew. To start with exercise and writing and doing stuff and having fun regardless of how many friends come to my game night!
School was pretty good this week. Except there is a student I am VERY angry with. He got 3 referrals today, including being kicked out of in school suspension. So that's annoying. But I am trying to remember he's 12 and I'm not. So I've got that going for me.
But we're reading a hilarious book in class and the kids love it. So much so that I was reading to them when the final bell rang today and no one realized it was time to leave! How great is that.
Alrighty, I am off to bed. I am happy and ready to start anew. To start with exercise and writing and doing stuff and having fun regardless of how many friends come to my game night!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Halloween
Here we are in all our Halloween glory. I was the spider witch and Ang was very official in her doctor scrubs. She ran around all day announcing she was late for rounds and using her real stethescope to listen for brains in students' heads:-)It was a good day, my kids seemed to really like the movie I showed them - 1931's Frankenstein, in black and white, which threw them a bit. Then we read a poem based on the movie and talked about how the moster was really just lonely and sad. All and all a great educational holiday!
Then we hurried home to pass out treats. We didn't think we'd have many kids as Ang had hardly any last year but we had tons. Our 30 carmel apple suckers were gone before 7 and we had to tell several kids we were out (even though we'd taken down the sign already!).
So happy halloween, hope you ate some candy for me!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)