On This Journey

Been A Good Run

2009-03-01T06:30:00.000-08:00

First, thank you to those of you who emailed and asked about my dad or left comments to that effect. As it turned out, the doctor didn't get all the cancer the first time. He went back this past Tuesday to have another round of slicing and stitching. The doctor was able to do this round without a skin graft so we were thankful for that. They feel confident that it was all removed this time, but I won't feel okay about it until I hear what this last biopsy says...which will probably be another week. Anyway, my dad seems to be doing well and the doctor really did a great job with the stitches.

Now, on to explaining the title of this post. I've decided that my blogging phase is starting to fade. Where I used to not be able to wait to come home and blog, I usually don't give blogging a second thought these days. I'm not going to delete the blog because so much of my life is on it (I was amazed at the mountains and valleys of my life that were recorded in the last three and a half years...), but I'm not going to continue to post either. Blogging opened up doors for me to meet some new people and be exposed to new ways of looking at things. It has been a long, fun ride. I've enjoyed it all. Now I just think I'm going to go a different direction. I have a facebook page and you lovely readers are welcome to be my friends...just look for Steffany Stewart. I do moderately better since it is mostly short blurbs about daily life.

Thank you for all the encouragement and support you've provided in the last several years. It has meant a lot to me.

Steffany

Update

2009-02-03T14:42:00.000-08:00

Daddy is butt-hair-on-his-ear free!

The doctor got what he thought was everything, but of course they will test it to be sure. If for some reason he didn't get it all (and they assured my parents that this doctor rarely has to go back a second time) then my dad will have to go to the hospital because it will require a skin graft to repair the hole.

For the moment, we're all breathing a sigh of relief! Thanks for all the uplifting of my family that went on today. I means very much to me!

Humor In The Midst...

2009-02-02T16:37:00.000-08:00

Well, no recap necessary. Y'all already know about the stuff going on in my life, but I did want to share this small and somewhat humorous (in a completely ironic way) tidbit.

My friend Megan, our art teacher, has this sign hanging in her classroom:

There will be no crisis this week. My schedule is full.

I saw it today and just had to laugh. I always laugh when I see it...every time I take my kids to Art. She always knows what I'm laughing at and the kids just stand there looking like I've sprouted another head. Today one of the kids asked, "What is so funny Ms. Stewart?"

I could only respond, "Irony sweetheart...irony."

Tomorrow is the day the "cancer" is removed. Please say a prayer (or send out well-wishes as the case may be) that the doctor gets it all and that no hairy butt/leg skin needs to be taken and that come Wednesday cancer will just be a bad memory. I'll post an update as soon as I know something worth telling.

Seriously...More?

2009-01-31T14:12:00.000-08:00

I'm beginning to think that this blog is really just a place where I can chronicle all the bad stuff that seems to fall into my life. What a horrible attitude to have right? Believe me, I'm trying to stay positive. I'm sure that somewhere I asked God for patience or understanding or to simply help me grow and well...He's answering prayer. Oh Lord...must all growing be painful?

Yesterday, we found out that my dad has skin cancer. While no one really was prepared for skin cancer, we're not surprised. My dad was a construction worker for many many years and even today still works mostly outside. The cancer is on his ear and has been there a while (you know men...never want to see a doctor) so they can't just burn it off or freeze it off. Next Tuesday he'll go in and have a local numbing thing and they will cut it off. Supposedly the doctor is really good and knows his cancer so we're all confident that he'll get it all. The only real concern is that if the cancer is deep then there might not be enough skin left to stitch back together the hole. The doctor mentioned skin grafts, but that is a bridge to cross when they come to it.

Surprisingly there is some humor to be found in that...I asked my mom where would they get the skin from and she said maybe his leg or maybe his butt. Of course, why would they put leg skin...with leg hair on it...on his ear. Then I had the thought that he does have some ear hair so what difference would that make. I was sharing this little bit of funny with my friend Rachel and was mentioning that he might have butt skin on his ear to which she reminded me that some guys have hairy butts. So...Daddy might have some funky hair growing out of his ear if grafting is required.

When I first heard, I was understandably upset and scared. And if you don't understand that then you'll want to stop reading right here... My rational, clear thinking brain knew that if he's got to have cancer then this is the kind to have. I know that it isn't on the same level as lung cancer or such. I know that he's got an experienced doctor and that this isn't the bad kind that might spread. Once it is removed, most likely he'll be 100% fine. I know that it doesn't require radiation or chemo...just a local numbing thing in the office and he can go to work the next day. My heart though...it locked on the word cancer. Cancer is bad...people die from cancer. I was scared and worried and needed to have a moment to just be freaked out.

I had three wonderful friends whose first words when I told them were to the effect of disbelief and concern for me and my family. Then came the encouraging words of "It'll be okay!" and "Usually this kind of cancer is treatable and curable!". I had some people rush into saying "Oh you won't have to worry about that." and "That really isn't the bad kind" and "I"m sure he'll be fine." I felt like my feelings and concerns weren't valid. I, unfortunately, took one person's head off even though I know he was just trying to be supportive. The others I just tried to not be sarcastic to and look at their intentions.

My mom said it best...we're sensitive because it is our person that we love so the whole cancer thing (even if it is the kind that shouldn't freak people out and that isn't really much a blip in terms of cancer) effects us differently. I know those people were being supportive and caring. I was just sensitive (and in some cases overly sensitive) to the comments. So, I'm thinking that I'm not going to tell anyone else. Tuesday will come and Wednesday will roll in cancer free so why make a big deal right?

I've shaken off those first frightening reactions to the news, and more calm about things. Still, I feel like saying seriously God...please no more.

Let's Change The World

2009-01-22T17:59:00.000-08:00

Last week, my students did an in-depth study of Martin Luther King, Jr. We were, of course, getting ready for the upcoming holiday on Monday. We also talked at length about President Obama and the plans he had to change the world. We had some lively discussions and my second graders were pretty forward thinking.

With this in mind, I assigned a writing prompt:

If you could do anything to make a positive change in the world, what would it be?

Most of my students took to this writing assignment like ducks take to water...well all except for one little boy. He's super smart and very high in his thinking, but he hates to write. I thought he might get behind this assignment though because he had some really good ideas in the discussion. Alas...no.

Many of the papers that were turned in were single space, neatly written, and complete front with most of the back taken up in words. My little darling...his paper simply had one sentence.

I like the world the way it is.

When I came to his paper my mouth fell open. First, as a teacher I was a little upset that he didn't take the assignment seriously and this was the most he could muster. Secondly, I could only think how sad that truly was...leave the world the way it is? Now, I understand that he's just an eight year old, but come on! I'm working my way through the grading process (I'm not really the best on-time grader...parents hate that about me!) but I keep coming back to his paper. I wouldn't consider myself "globally aware" or even all that interested in the big picture going on around me. I do what I can (though seriously...what is "what I can") and I try to leave a good mark. If asked...nope...I think the world can be made better. Do I know how...well that might be a little gray. My definition of "made better" might be a little bit different from yours. Either way, the world is still in need of constant improvements...just like me.

So it always makes me think when I come across his paper and maybe...just maybe...he should get a little credit for that.

400+1

2009-01-04T17:44:00.000-08:00

Today someone said to me, "May the trials of 2008 turn into the celebrations of 2009." Lord, I hope that is true. Usually, I love the start of a new year...it is fresh and brimming with possibilities. I suppose this one is much the same, but I'm just feeling a touch weighed down by the last moments of 2008.

As I've already mentioned, my Mimi died (my favorite recent picture of the two of us is on the picture slide show if you wait for it to roll around...it says I heart my Mimi) right before Christmas. In addition, the family dog was put to sleep that very same day and because of the situation it fell to me to take her to the vet. I didn't even get to stay with her...simply handed her off into the arms of someone she didn't know. Charlie, my newest kitty addition, has turned out not to be the stellar traveler that Toby is...stress induced intestinal upset the vet termed it. I would simply say the worst diarrhea ever. My computer had crashed and is now working...sort of. I won't go into the problems still plaguing it, but suffice to say a visit back to the shop is required. Work starts tomorrow and with all this going on I feel like I've had no restful break at all.

I told a friend tonight that I simply wished to just turn my life over to someone else to live and deal with while I found a quiet place to simply rest. Does this sound like depression or just a normal reaction to the crap life has thrown my way?

If you're curious at all about the title of my post, I hit the 400 post mark. It was that last post... I'd had plans to write a very reflective look back at the last few years and the life that was in those 400 posts. Now, I just don't feel up for it. I'm sure post 402 will be fine to be reflective in...what do you think?

A Life That Was Changed

2008-12-29T15:02:00.000-08:00

Oh where to begin...

My grandmother passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly last Monday, December 22. It doesn't seem possible that only seven days have passed...it feels like forever ago.

I was just starting to come awake when I heard my mom say, "Oh my gosh!" followed by a long pause and then I heard her crying. You know that sound can never be good when followed by tears. I stumbled out of bed and in the living room I found my mom with her hands covering her face and my dad with his arms around her. I asked what was wrong and received no answer. Finally after asking yet again, my mom said that Mimi was on her way to the hospital in an ambulance. At that point all we knew was that they feared something had burst in her brain.

My dad decided to go on to work, but left us with instructions to call him as soon as we knew something. Unfortunately we didn't have to wait long. My aunt called back to say that Mimi was unconscious, not breathing, and that CPR was failing to bring back her heartbeat. It became apparent that we were not going to make it to her in time to say goodbye. After calling my dad to return home, my mom and I set about frantically trying to decide what we'd have to do to be ready to go. A short few minutes later, my aunt called again...Mimi was gone.

The "after" has seemed to pass in a blur. The conclusion was that she suffered a brain aneurysm. Thankfully, the amount of time she was actually in pain was very brief. The family had a private viewing on Tuesday and a memorial was held on Friday. In among those two heart wrenching events, my family tried to have some semblance of Christmas. Believe me, it was a hollow lackluster shell of what this holiday normally is for my family. I'm sure that just about the time this deep wound stops bleeding we'll be called together to intern her ashes and this hurt will surface again.

I know that my family isn't the first to lose a loved one at the holiday and I'd never want to make light or discount another person's hurt, but this has truly been devastating for me. My paternal grandparents have both passed along with great grandparents, but I don't remember it feeling this acute. Perhaps it was because of when I thought of grandmothers I thought of her. Maybe it just seems so unreal because I just saw her and hugged her and told her I'd see her in just three short weeks for Christmas. Perhaps it is seeing my mom go through this and realizing just how unpredictable life can be. I suppose mainly the shock of it and how unexpectedly it happened is what truly is hurting my heart.

As a family of Christians and believers in Christ, we know that Mimi is no longer suffering or experiencing any pain. For that I am grateful, but to be completely honest it does little to ease the hurt and sense of loss I feel today. I wrote a short piece to be read at the memorial and in that I quoted Isaiah 26:3-4. Yes, on one hand there is a great peace in knowing that Mimi is forever comforted and in the loving hands of Jesus. On the other, my heart is aching at the loss.

At the memorial the song Thank You by Ray Boltz was played and as I listened to those lyrics I realized just how much my life has been blessed and changed because I was given the privilege of having Mimi in my life even though the time was short. I would encourage each and every one of you to tell your loved ones just how much you love them. Wrap your arms around their necks and hug the stuffin' out of them. You are beyond lucky to still have that chance as you never know when it might be too late.

I also want to say thank you to the friends who have let me cry and rant on your shoulders. A special thank you to the friends who simply just sit in quiet with me and let me process. You all mean very much to me.

Blogging From A Far

2008-12-15T20:20:00.000-08:00

Just a short one tonight friends...

My computer crashed. Or rather it picked up a virus (yeah apparently I did not have any sort of anti-spy ware on my computer...sigh). I'm taking the tower in tomorrow so hopefully they will get it fixed fast.

Until then, my friend Nina, has been kind enough to let me blog and check email from her house and working computer.

I didn't mean to be gone from blogging so long (though no one has asked about me...sniff sniff) but life sort of creeps up on ya you know? So, I hope you guys are all doing well. I hope to be back to regular blogging soon. I've got a major milestone in the blogging realm coming up too...400 posts. Who would have thought I'd have had that much to say?!

Until the next time...

Enjoy The Turkey

2008-11-26T07:52:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Peace

2008-11-16T13:06:00.000-08:00

Today I had lunch with a friend at this little hole in the wall place that serves generous portions and delicious pie. The decor is what you'd call eclectic. In and among pie plates and doors made into lighting fixtures is a huge piece of artwork. It is calming colors swirled into a very calming design and the most profound quote graces the entire thing.

peace.

it does not mean to be in a place

where there is no noise, trouble

or hard work but rather it means

to be in the midst of all those things

and to be calm in your heart

Lately, I've been trying to listen carefully and pay attention to the voice of God in my life. I know for some, they hear God speaking every day, but for me I have to be listening attentively. Even then I sometimes miss it all together. This has become more important to me lately because I'm seeing how God has open doors and is actively working in my life. That makes me want to listen even more!

I think this quote really touched my heart because my life has become this topsy turvy road that I sometimes feel has no end in sight. There are the every day ordinary things to do, then the extra stuff you never plan on, plus the holiday season and that wonderful madness...it all adds up to a life full of noise, trouble, and hard work being lived. Still, among it all, I've found recently a peace that has taken over my life.

I suppose this is truly where I see God at work because just a handful of months ago, all that "living" would have me spinning. Now, I seem to go with the flow and have an outlook that things are going as they should. I feel at peace with the changes that happened at school (mainly my now essentially teaching 3rd grade), the financial issues that have cropped up (car payment, insurance, etc.), and some personal relationships.

It is pretty neat to not only have other people see the changes, but to notice them in myself. My life is full of noise and trouble and yeah I have to work pretty hard at keeping it all spinning, but my heart finally feels like it is on track for finding rest in and among it all. And that is a very peaceful feeling.

Absolutely True

2008-11-08T08:46:00.000-08:00

At school, one of my friends and fellow teachers has a sign hanging in her classroom that says:

There will be no crisis this week...my schedule is already full.

I laugh every time I see that sign. How true, right? I'm not sure when it happened, but my life became busy. Usually when I think about busy, I'm thinking about all the "extra" stuff that can fill up a square on the calendar. I've discovered that I'm quite busy these days just doing the ordinary stuff, not to mention all that extra stuff.

For example, you know that I'm busy with walking most nights (and if you're not familiar with that check out the post below...such an embarrassment, but a fun read all the same) and when you throw in church on Wednesday and WW on Thursday...well it just adds up.

Also on my calendar this week (in three boxes no less) was Toby. He was declawed and neutered on Tuesday. I had to take him to the vet Monday afternoon since I couldn't drop him off on Tuesday morning (sometimes work gets in the way of just about everything!). I picked him up on Wednesday afternoon. Unfortunately for both of us, his healing hasn't been smooth. I had to take him back in this morning for an infection in one of the pads. Of course, Charlie doesn't understand either why his pal doesn't want to play with him so he's been driving me bonkers. Needless to say...one crisis we're all wishing hadn't happened.

There is this Fall PTO carnival at school this afternoon. It was stressed very heavily that you needed to sign up for a shift, but I've decided not to trek down to Spring and attend. I put in a monetary donation instead. There have been numerous things that come up at school that require money...more than I thought. Frankly, I'm a little tapped out at the moment in the spare money department. I'm sure it'll go on just fine without me.

Today, I'm doing a little Fall cleaning at home...more than just the usual vacuum and toilet scrub of the weekend. My friend Becky is coming to spend the weekend with me on Friday. As you've seen, my weeknights are a blur of activity so all that in depth cleaning gets to get done today. Don't you just hate anything that starts with in depth?! On the upside, the house smells wonderful! Clean is my absolute favorite scent.

So, however you're spending the weekend I hope your life follows that funny little saying and that all crisis stay away so you can get on with the getting on of living that busy life of yours!

TP Issues

2008-11-04T16:55:00.000-08:00

Oh what a story...grab a kleenex as you might laugh until you cry.

I think I've mentioned before that my friend and I are walking in an effort to move more and add that dreaded exercise component to our weight loss efforts. The park where we walk is really nice. The walking track is paved and very well lighted. I always feel safe when I'm out there walking. The only thing that didn't look so hot were the bathrooms. Now, please picture in your head your worst camping trip bathroom experience. This was worse!

I should probably back up a bit and explain that before we'd gone to walk, I had drank a large amount at dinner. Normally I'm one that can hold my liquids, but not tonight...unfortunately.

We were half way around the track on our first lap when I realised there might be a problem. We talked about how dilapidated the bathrooms looked (I mean they have old time jail cells out in front of them...seriously) and I decided that I would just hold it for the remaining mile we planned to walk. Unfortunately, the further around the track we went the more I felt the need to go. So, when we got over there by the bathrooms, I just told Nina I didn't have a choice.

I briefly thought the jail cells were kind of fun and thought about bringing a camera for a photo opportunity the next time. Turning my eyes to where the door to the bathroom would be I found another iron gate looking thing. Strange, but when you've got to go...you really are only focused on one thing. Stepping into the bathroom I almost peed right there. Instead of stalls there were just toilets with concrete barriers between them.

Are you picturing this...NO doors, NO privacy, and in the first stall NO toilet paper...well not counting the wet, stuck to the floor pieces. Everyone take a moment for the involuntary shiver that you just had on the heels of that thought.

So, I quickly turn to leave, but my bladder apparently doesn't give a hoot about what the bathroom looks like. It is either pee in here or pee in my pants outside. Gosh, some choices are so hard to make! I yelled for Nina to stand watch. By this point, she's laughing and probably thanking her bladder for its holding capacity. I venture further into the bathroom (and I use the term so loosely) and find about 12 squares of toilet paper on the roll. I carefully pull off some and strategically place them around the seat of the toilet. I definitely planned to squat, but you never know.

Thank goodness for thinking ahead. Just as I bent my knees and got ready to do my business, I noticed the puddles on the floor (I'll leave any further description to your imagination...which you're probably now wishing wasn't vivid) and in my efforts to pull up the hem of my jeans, I lost my balance and landed on the toilet paper covered seat. At this point, I simply wanted to find relief and get the heck out of there. I finished quickly, wiped, flushed, and went to wash my hands. At which point in time I discovered no soap and no paper towels. Seriously, that just wouldn't fit with the decor right? I scrubbed my hands with cold water and let them air dry as we continued on our way.

Now, back on the trail, Nina and I are walking and talking when I notice that I don't feel right...back there. Trying to be discreet, I feel up my own rear. I'm sure the old man with the dog behind us found this very funny. Anyway, I finally mention my unease to Nina. Then (because I've obviously forgotten where we are...which is on the most lighted and populated part of the trail...and all the manners my mama taught me...you do not put your hands down your pants) I lift my shirt and reach back into my jeans. What do you suppose I come up with?

Yeah...a wad of toilet paper. I pull out a square or two and then in a fit of humiliation and total amusement I toss it to the ground. Yes, I know. I littered. Get over it. We walk about ten feet further and I realize I didn't get it all. So I reach back in again. Let me stop right here and say I don't know what came over me...I just had to get the TP out of my crack. (Yeah, my mama is rolling her eyes right now.) I find another wad and again toss it to the grass.

At this point, Nina is giggling hysterically. While I mention that I think I've got it all, she lets me know that I don't. Now it is hanging out of my jeans. I ask her to get it (and I'd return the favor of pulling TP out of her pants...you know if she ever had some hanging out of them) and she says no among her giggling fit. So, I reach back there and that is when Nina points out that there are people behind us.

Oh the shame....

Here I've been pulling TP out of my own pants and tossing it on the ground with an entire audience behind us. I'm sure they had a great laugh. I'll be lucky if I'm not asked to check my pants at my car before I step foot on the track.

Now, dab your eyes people and learn from me...peeing your pants is always a viable alternative, make sure TP stays where it belongs...which isn't in your pants, don't litter (there you green people...that make you feel better?), and if you feel like you've got something in your pants that shouldn't be...check it out when you get home.

I mean it folks...learn from me.

We Interrupt This Blogging...

2008-11-01T21:27:00.000-07:00

...for a little bit of blog surgery. I'm trying to update my blog's look and change a few things around. I just feel the need for something a little...different. So, while I'm playing with gadgets and buttons, just take a look around. It'll all be straightened out soon!

***Update: What you're seeing is the final product. I love it!***

From My Pumpkins

2008-10-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

from Charlie!

from Toby!

I am not one to dress up my animals, but the other weekend while I was in the vet's office I noticed that they were having a little costume party on Halloween. I wasn't seriously considering getting them an outfit, but when I came across this little pumpkin hat thing I couldn't resist! I'm sure that Charlie and Toby wish I had tried just a little bit harder.

Their little faces probably don't convey it, but we wish y'all plenty of treats and absolutely no tricks!

Shake It Girl

2008-10-28T19:11:00.000-07:00

Tonight I made a discovery. Well, actually it is an affirmation of a previously discovered discovery. Hmm...did I just make up some words? Either way...the discovery...God blessed me with zero ounces of rhythm.

A friend of mine and I are jumping on the exercise band wagon. Apparently eating rabbit food and drinking water will only take you so far. We walk several times a week, but we're trying to expand our routines while shrinking our number of fat cells. We already do walking (1 mile a few times a week), we're exploring the water aerobics offered at the community pool, tennis looks easy enough, and my suggestion...belly dancing!

Yep, we're taking belly dancing lessons from the lovely (not to mention tanned, blond, tiny) Dolphina. Tonight was our first go at it. This is when I discovered just how rhythmically challenged I truly am. I look like some large retarded bird on drugs. Trust me...it ain't pretty. So, while I'm trying to loosen my chakras and touch my loonycona...or something like that (whatever it was it sounded pretty darn dirty) my friend got a good laugh. I lost my balance (which happens easily when the trunk is more full than the hood...seriously the girls can't even touch that junk) and ended up on the floor. My snakes are pretty sad and my shimmy...well even sadder. I totally stink in the dance arena!

But, despite my obvious handicap, I still managed to walk away with my thighs screaming and my heart pumping. So, I gotta be doing something right. Right?! Now, if you'll excuse me I have to take a large quantity of Advil and crawl into bed.

Explain Please

2008-10-26T18:20:00.001-07:00

So, it was brought to my attention that perhaps I acted like a tease...well maybe just a bit. Of course I could also argue that I just needed a little processing time. The older I'm getting the more I value that "shut up and say nothing for just a minute" time. Whatever my reason (notice I did not say excuse!), I'm fully prepared to do the explaining that so many of you asked for.

I should warn that this could possibly be a long post.

The Car
In short...wrecked, totalled, absolute loan mess, new car...sigh! The details are boring, but frankly there was a huge delay with the loan process. I did what the bank asked me to do with having the dealership fax over the sales worksheet. They let it sit on the fax machine for a day (all they can offer by way of explanation is some fuzzy "We're sorry.") which pushed it back till after the weekend. Then once the loan was approved I needed to have some documents which if I'd kept them it would have been easy to get them faxed over to the bank. But, since I'm all for getting rid of "clutter" I'd tossed it out. Basically, after a week of "I don't believe it!" moments I finally got to go and pick up my car. It is a 2008 Kia Spectra that I lovingly call Spence. And, after all was said and signed on multiple dotted lines, I bought a car! It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be and that is directly because of some great advice/support/coaching from Josh (see...I told you I'd sing your praises) and lots of the same from my parents. Now, that is a lot to sigh about!

That Job Thing
A few weeks ago, my principal called me in and said that because of low numbers they were going to have to do some changing around. My heart nearly stopped. I thought I was being sent to another campus. Luckily for me, she just wanted to tell me that my AG (above grade learners) 2nd graders should begin learning third grade material so I'd have a section of AG 2nd and OG (on grade learners) 3rd. So, while I'm still teaching Language Arts and Social Studies I now teach 2nd and 3rd graders. It has been an adjustment, but I actually like the challenge. At first, a lot of the other teachers (let's just say there were many...many schedule changes to make this work) weren't very interested in this change. I can't blame them either...I hate change, but this time I went in with a positive attitude and it has been really...positive. Imagine that! So, yeah...I don't just teach 2nd grade anymore. I bet that is going to look so cool on a resume too!

I Finally Cracked...
For a while I've been having some pain in my foot. Okay, more than just a little pain...a lot of pain. It started months ago, but finally was bad enough to drive me to the doctor. I was pretty stunned when my family doctor thought it was a benign growth on a nerve and sent me immediately to an orthopedic surgeon. After several sets of x-rays and prodding around, it was determined that it was a much simpler affliction...a stress fracture across three metatarsals. I spent three weeks in the most unattractive and uncomfortable boot and now I've moved into the post operative shoe. Not a big improvement in the attractive footwear department, but much improved in the comfort one. I have to wear it for the next four weeks and then be re-evaluated. This truly has felt like the year of the medical mishap, but thankfully the year is almost over and this was the last one!

There have been a lot of little other things along the way, but those were the big things. I really should start blogging as things occur instead of trying to play catch up. Seriously.

Slacker

2008-10-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

Yep...that is me. A big ole slacker.

I am alive.

I have bought a car.

This is my year of the bodily ailments.

I'm love my new kitten Charlie though I'm sort of in naming remorse...I think he really is a Gus.

I don't teach just second grade anymore.

Tomorrow is my Friday so there is always a silver lining!

Finding the "want to" along with the time to post hasn't been easy.

I hope you guys are all doing well even though I won't be around to check things out for myself for a few more days yet.

New Favorite Snack

2008-10-12T06:41:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was picking up some items at the store and came across a new popcorn flavor. Have y'all seen that Orville Redenbacher's Natural popcorn before? It comes in a variety of flavors...the newest being salt and lime.

Oh. My. Gosh.

This stuff is delicious! My taste buds have a soft spot for salty and tangy flavors so they are pretty darn happy right now.

Seriously...y'all should try it!

Happy Birthday...

2008-10-06T19:36:00.000-07:00

...to me! (Technically it isn't until Oct. 7, but I hit the post button before I thought to schedule it.)

Normally, I go on and on about my birthday. I can't help it...I love them! But this year, with so many things that have happened in the last few months, I just sort of feel kind of old.

How did that happen?!

Despite the old label, I am getting to have a birthday lunch, a birthday dinner, presents (which technically were given to me in September, but I've been a very good girl and didn't open or even peek), and a slice of carrot cake (my current obsession) so what could be better right?

Maybe being 21 again. I'm just saying...

Worth A Thousand Words

2008-10-04T13:16:00.000-07:00

There have been some changes in my little world recently. I could go on and on, but aren't pictures better? Now don't get excited yet, I still plan to be a little bit wordy about each picture. Thought you were getting out easy huh?!

Charlie

Charlie is the newest addition to my little family. Toby has been really great about me being at work all day and him being home alone. But, sometimes, I just know he wishes there was more to do...I know this due to some bite marks and other naughtiness found around my house. So, because I was at the end of my rope with him, I decided to get him a friend to have for company. Enter Charlie...an adorable 10 week old kitten I rescued. Last night was his first night with us and after a few minutes of hissing and growling (yep, cats growl...who knew?) the boys settled right into a friendship. The played all night and were playing this morning when I got up. I think this is going to be the perfect solution!

Ike

Thankfully, any effects from Ike are starting to fade. I have my power, debris has been cleared away, and things are starting to return to normal. Despite all that, I wanted to go ahead and post a picture of the damage that happened around me. This tree is less than 100 feet from my front door. I was very lucky. As you can see, there was some minor flooding of the sidewalks. Also, that thing that looks like a big eye next to the roots is actually a part of the lamp post by my apartment. Ike hit very early Saturday morning and I took these pictures about mid morning Saturday. With the debris and such I probably shouldn't have been out walking around, but sometimes you just have to get a picture.

Wreck

When I went to the body shop to snap these pictures, I had a strange feeling. Perhaps it was because I was PMSing, overwhelmed by the prospect of buying a new car, or simply grateful that the car took the brunt of the accident instead of my body, but I was a little emotional about turning this car over to be totaled. I took all my things out of it and pulled off my two car magnet things and waved goodbye. This car was a good little car. It saw me through college, my first job, and always got me home safely when I ventured across the state to see my parents. While I'd been planning on getting a new car, I wasn't really ready to let this one go. But, looking on the bright side (see...I am trying) I wouldn't be able to get a new one until I got rid of this one. And I've decided that, while a little unnerving, the whole buying a car process excites me!

So there you go...my world in a few pictures.

Advice Me

2008-09-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

I'm off to see the Dealer...the hopefully won't hose me dealer...

(hummed to the tune of Follow The Yellow Brick Road)

Yep, got word yesterday that the body shop is recommending that the car be totaled. So, now I wait for the insurance to see what exactly they will give me and then I go and buy a car.

If you've got advice on this, please drop it in the comments. I promise it will be much appreciated!

Wrecked

2008-09-26T07:52:00.000-07:00

With a title like that you just know this can't be a good post right? Well, it isn't...

Last night on my way home from work, I was involved in a car accident. Maybe involved is the wrong word...I was the cause of the accident, I was the totaled car in the accident, I was the royally screwed party (albeit by my own screwing...that doesn't sound right, but you know what I mean) in the accident.

I had just merged onto I45 and was stuck in a pile of cars waiting to use a one lane exit. Anyway, being my patient self, I was ready to move over into the next lane where traffic was going faster. I saw that the car ahead of me had the same idea, but we had at least one and possibly two car lengths between us. We moved over and just as I checked my side view mirror to see if I was clear, I hit her.

Once we got pulled over to the side of the road, I got out and immediately asked about her. She said that she was fine, and then she explained that a school bus cut her off to merge so she had to slow down. While she said she braked (I don't know...I was looking the side view mirror) when I hit her there were no brake lights on. She admitted that she was just putting her foot back on the gas when I hit her. After settling that, and deciding to call the police, I got my first good look at my car. My crunched up front end car. My leaking fluid all over the road car. My crap this can't be good car. Have I gotten across the point that the car isn't in good shape?

After what seemed like forever, the state trooper came, I was given the ticket (of course...), the kinda scary but very nice tow truck driver hooked up my car, and a friend came and got me, and then I had to call my parents. Let me just interject that I have very kind and concerned parents. Yes, they were concerned about me, but they were also understanding about the situation too. The most unfortunate part of the whole deal...my car probably isn't worth what it will take to fix it. I'd lay money on the fact that a new car is in my immediate future. While that prospect does excite me, the budget side is a little frightening. I like a cushion in the bank and this will turn my cushion into a thin piece of mosquito netting. I also haven't said it out loud (typing it isn't the same as saying it out loud) but my Jordan trip just might have to be put on hold. I hate it and right now I'm trying to find any single way to still make that work, but I'm also a realist and it just might not be possible for December. Sigh...I just got sad.

I took today off from work (main reason...can't walk the 30 mile commute) to get started on the claims process and trying to find a rental car. You would think that should have been easy, but with this Hurricane Ike business (have I mentioned how disillusioned I am by hurricanes now?) there are practically no cars to be found. Thankfully, the fourth place I called has three full size sedans to pick from...I think I'm getting the Hyundai Sonata. *EDIT...just found out it is going to be a Toyota Camry that I'm getting...*Anyway, at least I'll have some transportation until I know what my options are for the car.

So, as my mom said this morning, I'll have to dig deep and find my well hidden cache of patience and ride this thing out. I'm normally a glass half empty kind of girl, but I'm trying to see the positives here...I'm okay! I might get a new car...which I've been thinking about and working toward! While it isn't how I'd choose to spend it, I do have a cushion so that this won't break me. (That doesn't get a !...) I have a friend that didn't mind driving out of her way to come and get me! I have parents that love me and would have given up their plans for the weekend to come down and help me through this if I thought I'd needed them to!

All in all...I'm still very blessed and for that I'm very thankful!

Back To Normal

2008-09-24T06:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I've enjoyed more time off than anyone really expected to get three weeks into school so I suppose it is only right that things start up again. My school was the last school to receive power back in the aftermath of Ike, but it was restored this morning so I'm off to work at noon. I guess I could pretend that I was already out and about today and didn't get the message, but frankly I was getting a little stir crazy! So, I need to get ready and take care of a few things this morning and then I'm heading off to work...finally!

Where I've Come From

2008-09-19T19:49:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I find myself having the best time when I go back and read some of my old posts. I was stumbling around looking for an old post (never did find it...) but I did find some old favorites. And because I think it is always appropriate to take a minute and reflect on just where you've been and how far you've come I've linked some of my favorite old posts. So, if you're new to my blog or simply want to see what you might have missed then dive in!

Also, it might be a few days before I take up blogging again. I heard today that power is restored at my home. Let's all take a moment to say Amen.......did you say it?.... Anyway, I'm planning on heading home on Sunday morning. School is supposed to resume on Tuesday pending power restoration. We'll see how that goes. Anyway, that is the latest Hurricane Ike news.

Now get to diving....

Things I'd Tell Her If I Could...
Deck The Halls (Part 1)
40/60
Hi...This Is Steffany...Blah Blah Blah
Because I Just Can't Resist

So, there you go...now you know (or have remembered) just a little bit more about me!

Mini Vacation

2008-09-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

One of the good things...perhaps the only good thing...to come out of Ike was that I'm getting to enjoy some unexpected time with my family. As you may have gathered, I'm still in Abilene. School was cancelled for the rest of the week with our projected date of return Monday. As of now, there is still no power in Spring and one of my friends and fellow co-workers said that judging by the looks of things in Spring it might be the middle of next week before we return. So, more waiting and seeing...

In the meantime, I'm getting to spend my days hanging out with my mom. Now you all know how much fun I have with my mom. Today we met up with some friends of hers for lunch. After that, we spent the afternoon in her craft room. While we don't share the same paper crafting hobbies, I really enjoy getting to help her make cards and such. It is just a relaxing way to spend time together. I'm reminded again just how lucky I am to have such a great relationship with my mom.

Thanks for all your kind and caring thoughts! You blogger friends of mine are the best!

In The Aftermath

2008-09-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

I survived...though not as I would have liked. Let me first say that I am alive and well! Thank you for all the well wishes, thoughts, and prayers too. I'm not still in the Houston area, but rather decided to evacuate myself to my parents' home further north. Something I'm now wishing I had done Friday morning...

In my last post, I said that I was prepared, but this wasn't one hundred percent true as I soon discovered. I had my batteries for my lantern (though just enough to start it working...not enough for when those would have eventually ran out), batteries in my radio (but again...not enough), and some crackers, water, pudding, and beef jerky type things to eat. I'm sure anyone else that has endured the damages and fall out of a hurricane are smiling smugly. I was so totally unprepared. I admit it and believe me...learning from my mistakes.

I had power (which I was so taking for granted) all day and night Friday. I went to bed about midnight Friday with the thought of sleeping through Ike and waking up Saturday morning to it being mostly over. Around 4am Ike was hitting Conroe. Looking out the window was very interesting. I'd never seen trees bend so far over and the rain looked like it was literally blowing in sideways. As I watched, the power went out. After checking that my make shift sandbag was holding, I got back in bed. Saturday morning the eye had passed us, but we were still in for the southern eye wall. While I didn't have power at my apartment, I did have service on my cell phone. At some point in the morning that went too and the day became quite miserable.

I was bored beyond belief and getting pretty sick of beef jerky and cheezits. Saturday night was pretty rough on me. When the sun went down and all went dark, I sort of lost it. I should say that one of my worst fears is being alone in the dark. Every time I tried to lay down (even with the portable radio...which was starting to run low on battery juice) and turn the lantern out, I'd start to feel like I couldn't breathe. It was a miserable night. I'm not sure I slept very much. I was up and dressed as soon as the sun was starting to rise. I was having to drive almost five miles outside of town just to get service on my cell phone. As soon as I talked to my principal who confirmed we'd not be having school Monday, I called my mom and told her Toby and I were heading to our safe place...home.

So, here I sit...in my safe, lighted, cool air blowing place. School is out until at least Thursday with the possibility of longer so for now I'm staying put. Believe me, if this happens again...and I'm sure it will given where I choose to call home...I'll be making the evacuation trek along with everyone else. But, for now I'm safe and supposedly my home is safe. And in the end...that is really all that matters.

Please continue to send up thoughts and prayers for those still down there or still being effected in some way by Ike. It truly is a mess down there and the recovery probably won't be quick and painless. I have pictures to share once I'm back home and can upload them.

Ike

2008-09-11T17:36:00.001-07:00

While I don't live in Florida, I am close to the coast where Ike is expected to make landfall. Actually, I've vacationed exactly where Ike is expected to make landfall. That was a pretty sobering thought. Despite my distance from the coast, we are still expected to get 80-110 mph winds and 8-10 inches of rain. Right now everything is "expected" so my hope is that we get the unexpected things.

Yesterday on my way home (which by the way usually takes me 25-30 minutes on a good day took me 2 hours as we all creeped along at 12 mph) there were cars on either side of me packed to the windows with clothes and boxes and personal belongings. I knew these people were heading to safety but it was certainly an eye opener. I could only imagine how they must have felt having to leave (many areas it was mandatory) their home knowing that the likelihood of returning to it in the same state were very slim. My heart went out to these people.

After listening to many news reports, I decided to stay put and weather out whatever Ike dishes out at home. I've taken all the precautions that I could take to make sure that I'm as safe as possible at home. The only concern I have is that my back patio usually collects water as I'm right next to a gutter drain. On a normal rainy day it comes about half way up my patio, so I'm worried that it might come and rise up to the back door. Taking my mom's advice (finally!) I went and bought some big bags of potting soil and put one on the outside and put a rolled up towel and the other bag of potting soil against the inside of the door. We could call it a make shift sand bag! Otherwise, I have my battery operated lantern, my battery operated radio, plenty of water, and some food that doesn't require refrigeration...just in case.

While I am all the way cautious and want to be smart about this, a little part of me is excited to experience a hurricane. That sounds completely loony toony doesn't it?! Anyway, I am going to unplug my computer and cover it up to keep it from getting fried. I will update about how I weathered this storm as soon as I can!

Please just keep everyone who has been or will be effected by Ike in your thoughts and prayers!

Beep Beep...Get Out Of The Road

2008-09-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

I feel like these weekend updates are becoming the norm around here. Truth to tell, sometimes my weekends are the only two days of the week that feel normal. I'm sure that will change, but for now I'm doing good to come in and make dinner and get the dishes cleaned up (having a dishwasher makes that so much easier!) so coming in and blogging just hasn't happened...yet.

This week was my first week to be a switcher teacher. I just made that term up, but it basically means that I only teach the language arts (the reading, writing, and God help all the children...spelling) and social studies. My partner teaches math and science. It works pretty well I think. While I did it the last two years, I didn't really enjoy the math/science part so I'm very happy to be doing the LA part. The planning is easier and I really feel like I can sink my teeth into topics rather than skimming because I've got two other subjects to prep for too. So, everyone understands...the material I love.

The switching...it is taking some getting used to on my part. We have a homeroom which is basically just a gab fest. I have work for the kids to do, but everyone is coming in at odd times and everyone needs to show me something or tell me something. Truthfully, I use it too as an extra 35 minutes of prep too. At 8:30 the switch begins. I receive my AM class. They are the AG (above grade...basically means we'll review 2nd grade material for a few weeks and then move on to 3rd grade material for the rest of the year) kiddos. They are what I've always been used to teaching. They raise their hands, they participate, they actually work, and they are behaved. My mornings run smooth.

The PM...I suppose the best way to say this is that those kids will challenge me as a teacher. They will challenge me to find a way to reach them. They will challenge me to put into action my classroom management style that before has always just been a "this is how it is and you won't challenge it" kind of system. They will challenge me to find a way to make the required material fun and interesting. They will challenge me to want to come back and face them again tomorrow.

I've hit my first "shock and awe" class. In the relatively short time I've been teaching, I've finally run into that class that you just don't get. At first, I was a little shocked that my usual manner of teaching wasn't working. After the AM kids, I was thinking this would be a breeze. I was so wrong. Next came the pissed off stage. I was pissed that these kids had absolutely no respect for me and what I was trying to do for them. I know respect is earned and I guess I've never had to work so hard for it. When it comes (and it has to come right?) I know I'll appreciate it all the more and work to keep it. But now, I'm sort of resigned. These are my kids. I'm trying really hard not to feel like they are the ones I'm stuck with, but rather the ones I've been gifted with...I didn't say I was succeeding but I am trying. The afternoon leaves me drained.

In other sort of related to school news...I've caught something. Yesterday I noticed that my throat was scratchy and swallowing felt like glass was going down. If I'm going to catch something it will always start in my throat. While not feeling 100% I decided to head on to happy hour and mingle with my fellow co-workers. Besides as someone else battling The Germs put it, "If beer won't help than nothing will.". So, after two beverages of the loaded variety, I decided to head home...where I mixed Nyquil and Advil with the drinks and landed myself in bed.

This morning, whatever was in my head has obviously moved to my chest where only coughing and gaging and hacking up goo will make me feel better. Needless to say, after my first "real" week and now an onslaught of The Germs, I feel pretty roadkillish...you know when you're in the middle of the freeway and you get hit by the truck and then backed over by the truck.

Anyone know directions to the exit ramp?

Over Already?

2008-09-01T14:32:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that the first week of school is over already. I can't believe that my little holiday weekend is over already! Things have been really busy and fast paced and I've been worn out so I haven't made time to update about my first week of school. So let me do that now...

I love my new school! I can't tell you all the differences between where I am now and where I came from. It really is night and day...or more accurately Heaven and Hell. Everyone gets along on my team and we're working really well together. We have this "Maxine" of the group that keeps me in stitches all day long. It is so nice to work in a relaxed atmosphere rather than a negative one.

My kids are really good too. This week we kept our homerooms all day long and tomorrow will begin the switch process. I'm sort of nervous about that because it is new to me, but I think I'll love just teaching Language Arts and Social Studies.

Getting up at 5am has taken some getting used to, but I'm getting used to it. Case in point...this morning my eyes popped open at 5:17am. Thankfully, I was able to shut them and go right back to sleep. That probably won't work tomorrow morning though!

I hope that everyone had a great holiday weekend!

And Now The After

2008-08-23T15:58:00.001-07:00

Putting together a classroom (from scratch no less...if you're not sure what scratch means then look down a post) in one week isn't for the faint of heart! And saying one week isn't really a true description...try about 30 hours total. This week has pretty much been one of those "through the wringer" type weeks. I'll spare you the details and me the remembering. Actually I'll spare you lots of babbling as I'm wiped out.

From the door of my classroom, this is what it now looks like. The cabinets are in their rightful place and tables now dominate the floor. I wasn't sure I'd like these tables (as opposed to individual desks) but I love them! The X arrangement adds a lot of room too.

From the far corner, this is another shot of the room. In this one you can see part of my desk and that huge blackboard. I asked for a small easel to do writer's workshop at and this is what was delivered. I should have plenty of room!

I couldn't do exactly what I'd planned with that pillar because the computer connections are on the other side of it. But, with the back of the filing cabinet in that little nook it rounded out as a pretty good reading center. I decided to keep my jungle theme as I had the pillows and such. I think every kid at Meet and Greet last night had to pet it. Looks like a hit!

There is a lot more I could tell you and show you, but as I mentioned...wringer week...so if you're really interested in seeing more of the classroom, just email me and I'll send you the slide show. Now, if you'll excuse me a couch is calling my backside.

The Very Before

2008-08-17T20:40:00.000-07:00

It is almost 11pm and I should be in bed getting some much needed sleep before next week starts, but I'm at the computer. I can't seem to turn my brain off even though I've been telling it to shut down for a while now. I suppose I have too many things occupying it. But, since I'm up I decided to get those pictures of my classroom posted. I warn you though...these are the extreme before pictures!

This is my classroom as seen from the hallway. I'm in a corner classroom. I think that window into the hallway is pretty nifty. I didn't have a window in my last room, so even if my view is just of the hall, I'm still impressed. I already have visions of valances and window clings. Very teachery of me don't you think?

So, remember when I said this was the extreme before pictures? This is why...my room is not finished yet. Those tall things in the middle of my room are the cabinets that go against a wall. I'm not sure what all that cardboard went to, but hopefully it will be gone too. The room feels fairly large (of course it is mostly empty) and I love that I have plenty of wall space.

This view is from the far corner looking toward the back of the room. I have this pillar that I'm not sure how exactly I'll work around. I've thought maybe my desk in that corner or a reading corner maybe. I'll just have to play it by ear. If you have any suggestions shout them out!

So, there you have the first tour of the room. It was hard for me to visualize it all ready for me to move in, but I think that it has a lot of potential. Tomorrow is the big move...well, I mean I'm taking my stuff out of storage and the movers are taking it to Spring. Hopefully (everyone please cross your fingers and say your prayers!) the room is ready. And by that I mean the cabinets are in the right place and there is furniture and all the trash is gone. If for some reason it isn't...well it is a good thing I'm practicing the art of letting it go!

Something Fun

2008-08-15T13:00:00.001-07:00

I finally got into the new building and was able to see my classroom. Yep, I did take pictures, but that is a whole post in and of itself so I'll save it for tomorrow. Anyway, since we weren't able to actually do any work in our rooms, we got to leave early. I decided to kill a little time at Garden Ridge. I try not to go too often as I usually find more that I want than I really need. Well, as I turned the corner I ran into this couple.

I'm guessing they are for die hard Halloween fans huh? The bride even speaks...says something about how this is the happiest day of her...death. Seriously!

Yesterday was Toby's first day (and I mean full day...6:30AM till 5:00PM) at home alone. When I got home he was really wound up and ready for some attention. I loved on him and played with his favorite teaser wand for about 45 minutes. He finally wore down so I thought it might be safe to come and get on the computer. Have I mentioned that Toby doesn't like when my attention is directed at the computer?

Now I know some of you might say it was probably his picture he didn't want to have taken, but I know deep down in his little self he hates having to share my attention. Still...ain't he handsome!? I look at this (and of course others) picture and realize that his kitten looking days are coming to an end. He's lost that fluff ball look. Now, he looks catish.

They've Arrived...Dum Dum Dummmm

2008-08-11T08:02:00.000-07:00

I wish that I was really technically savvy so that I could have some great space alien theme music going for this post, but alas I'm not. So, you all will have to pretend that you hear scary screams and Martian screeches as you read this next sentence...

They've arrived!

No, I haven't had an out of world experience or been beamed up to some flying saucer. I've got new neighbors. Neighbors of the upstairs variety...

Those of you that have been reading for any length of time or know me personally will understand why this calls for scary space alien music. I hate neighbors. I know, I know...that makes me sound horrible and well when it comes to noisy neighbors I guess I am. I had a horrible experience in college with apartment living so I guess I'm once burned twice shy. Neighbors were the one thing I had capitalized in the con column of moving to an apartment.

When I first moved in, the apartment above me was empty. I prayed that it would stay that way, but apparently God sees this as a trial in patience. At first I thought it was just this older woman, but since I've seen a man and a teenage girl going in and out. The man and woman hold hands and the girl calls them mom and dad...what are the chances they are just helping her move and they won't actually be living there?

I've tried to be understanding, patient, nice, but darn it...they sound like Sasquatch up there! There is much stomping and banging. Some might say I'm over-reacting, but when my friend Nina was here the other night she heard it too. I swear, sometimes I just look at the ceiling knowing that it is about to come crashing down on my head at any second. The only good thing...they seem to go to bed at a reasonable hour so my sleep isn't being disturbed...too much.

I went to bed a little early last night so I laid there, praying my ceiling fan wouldn't fall, and thought of ways I could ask them to walk softly. Maybe I could gently remind them that they lived on the second floor which meant there was someone below them...you know in case they forgot. Or maybe I could go up and say that I'd heard them moving in and slip in that it sounded like they were making their furniture from scratch. Of course I'd bring along a cake or something to take the sting out of the words. Maybe I could call the cops...loud walking in apartment 907 Officer.

But then I get realistic...no one called the cops, made tacky comments, or brought me a cake when I moved in. And I did my share of hammering. Also, no one complains when I get on to Toby about biting...which is fairly often. So, I'll probably just bite my own tongue and buy some new ear plugs. Besides...how long can it take to get settled into a new place right?

***I know this was a total rant post, but my blog so I get to rant!***

Dang Bartonella

2008-08-07T18:22:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all of you who inquired about Toby. Y'all are such thoughtful people!

Toby has hemobartonellosis which is a disease of the red blood cells. It is caused by fleas (which he had a very bad case of when he was found) and can lead to anemia. Thankfully, my vet (which I fell hook, line, and sinker for...I mean I loved how she, the vet, called me at home and talked me through this diagnosis, met me when I picked Toby up, and make a check up call today) thinks that after a course of antibiotics Toby will be as good as new. He isn't enjoying the meds and truthfully I'm not all that fond of shoving it down his throat either, but you can bet we'll be finishing the whole bottle.

I have cat scratch fever. Before you say anything just let me say that yes, Toby is a biter. I'm working really hard to make sure I'm not sending mixed signals (no you can't bite, play with my fingers, etc.) and that he learns this is not acceptable behavior. But until he does, I'll probably remain covered in nicks and scratches. Seriously, if you could see my hands and thighs...

Anyway, the bacteria that is making Toby sick was most likely passed to me through a scratch. I had to do a little bit of my own research (I had every single symptom related to CSF) and the vet confirmed that Toby's illness could have caused mine, but my doctor wasn't so fast to agree. I believe her exact words were, "So, let me get this straight...the vet diagnosed you?" After explaining about Toby and his current medical crisis she was more inclined to agree, but wasn't going to make that her final diagnosis until after all that blood work came back. No, I haven't heard yet...maybe it is just a huge, ironic coincidence and I really have West Nile. Who knows, but CSF sure seems to be the missing key.

So, while Toby is dutifully, if not reluctantly, taking his meds I refused my doctor's order to start a broad spectrum antibiotic. I'm coming off two antibiotics in the last three weeks and for those of you who don't know...your vagina and your bottom aren't particularly happy with you after a steady stream of those things. Sorry few men that read (and squeamish weenie women). That sentence probably should have come with a warning. Needless to say, I'm riding it out. It is a virus therefore it will go away without treatment. Now, if something shows up on my blood work that is an entirely different story.

And there you have it...how one very nasty bacteria has wrecked havoc on two poor, unsuspecting souls. Dang Bartonella...

When You Are This Far Behind...

2008-08-05T08:15:00.000-07:00

...you never catch up.

But, I'll give it a shot.

Bethany, yep I'm alive but just sort of wrapped up in myself at the moment. This is about the time of year that things start that ever faster spinning. I'm trying to manage everything I can because there are several things beyond my control.

My mouth has finally decided to take a break from seeing how much pain it can endure and started to heal. I've been pain med free for several days now. Actually, besides being a master flusher now (trust me...it isn't as icky as it sounds!), I don't think twice about those holes at the back of my teeth much anymore. And thank goodness the antibiotics have finally worked their way out of my body (in the most unpleasant of fashions might I add...).

So, while one part of my body has recovered another part has decided to break down. Well, break down probably isn't the best way to describe it. I've been spiking low grade temps for the last several days. I went to the doctor yesterday afternoon and naturally wasn't running fever, but she did think it was worth some lab work. Apparently when they don't know what is wrong with you they test you for everything under the sun. The lab tech took five viles of blood. It was a wonder I was able to walk out under my own steam. To her credit the stick didn't hurt, but by the third vile I was starting to feel woozy. Surely, they can find something in there to explain why my body is going wacky.

I think I'm finally free from HISD (I just want to say it one time...Hell ISD). A couple of weeks ago I called to see what the hold up was in getting my exit interview scheduled. Well, my principal ( you know the one that loves me and thinks I'm the greatest thing to effect the teaching profession) never signed off on my resignation so it was effectively stalled. Now, she signed off on others, but mine managed to slip through the crack. (Breathe in...breathe out...let it go... Sorry, mental pep talk there.) I had to go in and ask for my exit interview to be scheduled and fill out some forms to have my service records sent to SISD. I also gave them my new address information too. I was assured that a certified packet with exit interview materials would be mailed to me within the week. Well, two weeks later and still no paperwork. I called yesterday to find out what the hold up was only to be told that the secretary filled something out wrong and that was why I hadn't been sent anything. And of course they can't do anything until that paperwork has been filled out so again effectively stalled. I went in yesterday and filled out the forms and turned in my badge. You know I don't think I had to work this hard to get hired! Anyway, hopefully all is said and done. There is still plenty to be said and lots of wrongs I still feel haven't been addressed, but, as I told someone yesterday, there are some battles that just aren't worth the fight.

I also haven't been able to get into my new school, which is undergoing renovations. It will be open on August 15. That is ten days before school starts. Yep, I'm nerve wracked because I like to have everything in its place and settled before the year starts. At least I'm not the only one...every teacher (except for four lucky ones) at the school had to pack up this year due to the renovations. I guess that means I'll be in good company, but still a stressful thing. Because I didn't want to have all my stuff (and boy did I accumulate a lot in two years) cluttering up my apartment, I had to rent a storage building for the month of August. I swear it never ends!

Now for the most disturbing news...my baby is sick. Nine days ago I took Toby in for his first round of vaccines and a check up at the vet. The place I took him came highly recommended but I just didn't feel comfortable. The doctor didn't speak much to me rather than the nurse, they kept taking him out of the room for tests (which I know they do, but I've had two vets that did everything right there in the room), and when I called to explain his new symptoms they sort of brushed me off. I know I don't have kids, but Toby is my baby and no Mama (human or feline) likes to be brushed off when her baby isn't acting normal. So, I dumped them and called the vet I started to go with in the first place. Toby hasn't been eating as much (a drastic change from his routine) and has started drinking more water. Also, he's been crying in the litter. This isn't really new, but it has become more animated. I was fully prepared to be told I was an over-reacting pet parent, but instead I was told that Toby has fever, is pale, and that they needed to keep him to watch him and run more labs. Walking out of the vet's office without him was really hard. Hopefully, they will only need to watch him this morning.

For anyone putting together a connection between my unexplained fever and Toby's unexplained illness wait...my mom is three steps ahead of you. It might be possible that the two are related (he's getting much better at taming the clawing and biting, but just last night drew blood on my thigh) but I'm waiting to toss that out to either doctor until someone knows something for sure.

While this probably isn't everything, it is enough to give you a taste of things going on in my life. Even with a few bumps along the way, I'd still say things are going good! And I guess that is all that matters, huh?

The Run Down

2008-07-23T20:01:00.000-07:00

Home again, home again, long freaking jigidy jog home
Extreme gum pain, fever, dry socket, bone infection
Blessed pain meds and the right antibiotic
Packing up my classroom and ready to move on to a fresh start
Still horrible blogger
New home pictures coming soon

I'm always amazed that you guys hang in there with me. I swear (well I shouldn't swear...y'all know my track record lately right?!) I'm going to find my blogging rhythm. Hopefully soon.

The Day Of Dental (Update)

2008-07-07T05:26:00.000-07:00

Well, less than 24 hours later and I'm actually doing pretty well. My doctor was amazing. He gave ma little gas first and then froze my wrist (froze to numb and the wrist because I'm an incredibly hard stick) and I didn't feel anything else. It went faster than he had originally thought, which was great. He also let my mom be in the room until I went to sleep and they brought her back before they brought me out. I think he did this because I was nervous, but I really appreciated it.

I was pretty woozy and out of it when I first came awake. I gagged in the elevator and the nurse kept saying, "Don't throw up. Just breathe." I didn't end up getting sick which was a relief to both me and my mom. I made it home, but apparently turned into a little girl again asking her not to leave me. The only bad thing that happened yesterday was that my medicine wasn't ready at the pharmacy so I had to wait about two hours before I could start my meds. That wasn't pleasant. The one thing that seemed to make everything better was ice.

I'm still swollen and really sore today, but I'm not in that sharp throbbing pain. For which I'm very thankful. I'm also thankful for everyone who has wished me well and left either comments or sent emails. You're all the best!

Well, it is less than an hour away from my dental surgery. While everyone else enjoys breakfast, I sit in here starving and dehydrated. Well, okay maybe that was a little dramatic. When I brushed my teeth I held the rinse water a little longer hoping by some miracle it would seep through my tongue to my throat. You never know how thirsty you are until you can't have water!

I'll take a "before" picture (though it might not get posted...I mean I'm not exactly looking hot with my no make-uped face and hair just doing its own thing) and an "after". You know, for effect.

I'm not really as worried as I was, but just ready to get this over with. A friend said it is like taking a nap and then you wake up and it is over. Let's hope that she is 100% correct!

I'll check back in here in a few days. Hope you all are doing well!

Yes...Still Alive

2008-06-30T14:35:00.000-07:00

I know...way to long between posts! You'll just have to forgive me.

First, thank you all for the congratulations. I am very excited to say the least about my new position. It is exactly what I wanted and I'm looking forward to being in a new positive environment. Please keep praying and sending good thoughts as it isn't "final" yet. The principal went on a week long in-service retreat (to Vail, CO...yeah...) and did not get all the paper work to HR yet. She told me today that she will be taking it to HR tomorrow. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but I'm on a deadline. I'm still under contract with HISD and will be locked in after July 11 so while I'm confident that it will all be resolved I'm still nervous. I can't wait to as someone put it, "tell her to shove it." Anyway, enough of that. Y'all understand how I feel about my current principal.

Now, on to the move. Everything went so smoothly. I'm telling you, movers are worth every single penny! They had me packed up, moved, unloaded, and were on their way by 11am last Saturday. There were only two of them too. Like I said...worth every cent.

My mom stayed with me the past week to help me unpack and decorate my new apartment. I don't have any pictures now, but I will soon. I love it! It feels like home and I have more space too. Which for a girl like me is always a good thing! My mom and I worked at a steady pace and while everything was in its place when we left yesterday we were worn out. Moving isn't for the faint of heart!

Now, I'm in Abilene. I'm here to visit with my parents for a couple of weeks. Also I'm having some dental surgery done. I'm having all my wisdom teeth out next Monday. There are four of those suckers. One has behaved and is just ready to be pulled. Two are impacted and laying sideways. And one is flush against my jaw bone. I have a feeling this won't be an easy removal as my oral surgeon said, "You'll be cussing me the next day." Yeah...I can't wait.

Other than all that, I'm doing well. Toby is growing like a weed and he is so adorable. Of course I'm sure all pet parents think their pet is the most adorablest (yeah I think that is a word...) but y'all...Toby really is the most adorable kitty! I'll have to post new pictures of him too. Unfortunately, he isn't getting along with my parents cat. Compared to Toby, Dex (whom I love and adore too) is a huge honkin' thing. When he bares his teeth and growls (cats can growl...who'd have thunk?) he is down right scary. So the transition hasn't been totally smooth for Toby and Dex. They have 15 more days to get it right though!

I was catching up on some posts today and I just want everyone to know that while some of you have some really big stuff going on I always appreciate that you take the time to stop by here and leave a comment for me. It isn't a big secret that I haven't been happy with my lot in life for the last several months, but I feel so much better and at peace about things. I'm hoping to return to my normal self (blogging self included!) soon. I hope that y'all are doing well and taking care!

Finally...Great News!

2008-06-19T06:35:00.001-07:00

I'm elbow deep in packing boxes, but I had to take some time out to share my wonderfully great news!

I was offered the job that I wanted from the very beginning!

Saturday afternoon I got a call from the principal of this school asking me to come and interview on Tuesday. I was really very shocked because in April I had sent her a letter of interest and a resume. While she seemed interested, she wasn't able to hire due to a rezoning issue in the district. I tried again about the middle of May and she replied with a short email saying that she didn't know if she would be able to hire anyone, but she thanked me for my interest. I thought I'd expressed interest one too many times.

Well, Tuesday I went and did the interview thing. It was the strangest interview. There were three people on one side of the desk. The principal asked one...uno...1...question and then turned to her computer and replied to email during the duration of my interview. They did a conference call with the second grade team leader so I looked like an idiot talking to the phone. Anyway, after I talked with the team leader they told me I could go. I was like, "Do you have any questions for me?" They said no so I was wondering just how impressed they were with me. I've been coming around to my mom's "if it is meant to be it will be" way of thinking so I figured if it was meant to be...

Yesterday afternoon I got the call from the principal. She said how impressed they had been with me and were excited to have me on their team. So, I'll be teaching Language Arts/Social Studies in second grade. I'm thrilled! This is what I wanted from the very beginning. Thank God for answered prayers!

Now, I have to get back to packing. Still so much to do before Saturday morning at 8am. Y'all have a great rest of the week!

Toby Love

2008-06-11T15:39:00.001-07:00

There is a new little addition to my house...Toby! Faithful blog readers...meet Toby.

Isn't he just adorable?! I've been wanting a cat for a long time, but my landlady wouldn't let me have them here. So, I knew I'd be forking over the pet deposit and getting a kitten when I moved to the apartment (in ten days no less...packing is happening very slowly). Last weekend when I went to my grandparents, my mom had this little thing perched on her shoulder. He had been found cornered by the dogs and they had rescued him. He needed a home and I wanted a kitten and the rest is, as they say, history!

I took him to the vet Friday. He's around 5 weeks old and only weighed 1.2 pounds. He was covered in fleas (and hates the flea treatment we do every other day...got the scratch marks to prove it) and had ear mites. He endured some real indignities at the vet, but was a trooper. He had a weekend full of new experiences. Also, he wasn't a good traveler either. I think we were both crying by the time we got home. Thankfully, Toby has settled into a very nice routine here at home.

He's a really good kitty. The first night he was all over the bed, but the last few nights he's been settled right up there on my pillow. We wake up and I take him to the litter and his food and then I go back to sleep. Don't forget that school is out and I'm taking full advantage of the sleeping late thing! Anyway, when I wake back up then we play. Toby loves to play!

His favorite toy is this Gone Fishin' thing. It is a fabric fish on a string that hangs from a pole. He loves to swat at the fish though his coordination isn't always the best. I just love watching him! Then he naps and the whole eat, litter, play cycle begins again.

I'm taking advantage of his sleeping status to post. He doesn't seem to like me at the computer. He sits on the back of my recliner just meowing at me. I think it is because he can't crawl around or maybe because he doesn't have my attention. He loves to be the center of attention. Good thing he's adorable!

Another Applicant

2008-06-05T05:10:00.000-07:00

Know those dating site commercials where the people say how great they are, but then a big white REJECTED sign pops up over their face...I know how they feel.

I heard back today from the lady that I interviewed with last week. While she appreciates my interest they have decided to recommend another applicant for the position. I am a little disappointed, but I suppose that is the way of things. As my mom is fond of telling me, "If it doesn't work out then it wasn't meant to be."

With that still in mind, I went to another interview yesterday. I think it went as well as it could. They are supposed to make their decision today so I suppose I won't have long to wait.

I'm trying to keep in mind the fact that just because I'm not chosen it doesn't mean I'm a bad teacher or there is something professionally wrong with me. (Thanks for those encouraging words Jersey Girl!) And it isn't like the last time I went on the job hunt. I am still gainfully employed. I'd just like to be better gainfully employed. It is a process...I know.

In other news, I found out that the reports about the apartment complex weren't exactly true (always nice to talk to the local police to clear things up). Every place is going to have good points and the not so good points. So, I'm still moving. In 17 days...I'm going to be so busy.

I know I haven't made the rounds lately, but I really appreciate you guys that still come by and leave words of encouragement! That means so much. Y'all have a great weekend!

On The Hunt

2008-05-31T19:48:00.000-07:00

I again tackled apartment hunting today. I thought (well still mostly think) I'd hit the jackpot on the third complex. My "demands" were met...ground floor, price range, dishwasher, etc. The apartment was clean and everything seemed to be well maintained. Of course knowing the importance of not taking the first thing that comes along, I went ahead and kept looking.

I should stop here and give a huge shout out to my cousin who came with me. Thanks Amanda! Your insight was helpful!

Okay, so we looked at about four more. I still thought the best place for me was Apartment Three. I went back and filled out the application and left a deposit. I was still feeling comfortable with where I'd chosen. It is on the "good" side of town. My good friend lives across the street. Everything felt right.

Well, on my way home, my mom calls and tells me to look online. She had stumbled across some stuff that didn't sound so...right. Now, I know that not everyone is a satisfied renter, but the handful of ratings that were listed about this property weren't good. So, now I'm sort of worried. I mean I know looks can be deceiving, but that deceiving?

I called my friend that lives across the street and she was a little surprised to hear about the problems. I called the police department in an effort to find out about the safety and crime associated with the apartment complex. Unfortunately, I have to wait until Monday to talk to records. Also, Monday I'm supposed to hear back from the complex about the application status. I'll be sure to be asking about the laundry list of complaints.

So, while I'm not ready to say stop the presses, I am in need of a little bit more information. Seems I'm doing a lot of waiting lately. In case you can't tell...I hate waiting. Yeah yeah...I know all about a virtue called patience...

Maybe Job-y (Post Script)

2008-05-28T16:54:00.001-07:00

Yesterday afternoon I sent in another round of faxes and today I got a nibble. I have an interview scheduled for Friday. It is in the area where I want to be and I like what I see from the school website. Plus, I have a friend that has worked there and said it was a good school. The principal sounded very friendly. So...now I go and interview.

This is the tricky part. I want to be excited and hopeful, but I don't want to get too excited just in case it doesn't pan out. I still find job rejection hard to handle. Y'all wish me luck. I'm sure I'll post details.

**Post Script...

Thank you for all the thoughts! The interview went well...at least I think it went well. I met with the principal only. We spoke for an hour and a half! Everyone has said that has to mean good things as you don't talk to someone for that long who you aren't interested in. We seemed to line up on most issues. She is looking for someone to be ESL certified (I'm not currently) but she did say that I could take the test over the summer and be fine. I tried to let her know that I was willing to do that and also that while not ESL certified I did have experience with those kids. I'm still trying to remain hopefully optimistic. She said that she had one more interview on Monday but that she wanted to make this decision fairly quickly. Hopefully I'll know something by next week. I really want this job. I've done all I can...now I just wait. And say a few prayers!

What A Bust

2008-05-25T14:42:00.000-07:00

I think I've made a decision. No matter what happens job wise (I still haven't heard anything from anywhere...no one wants me...whaaa!) I will be moving. Several things have prompted this...mostly that I'm not happy in Huntsville. Also, this trailer is falling down around my ears and I'm not up to duck taping it together. So...I'm moving.

Where you might ask...I don't know.

When you might ask...another great question.

I have a time frame, but things seldom line up in my time frame. If you know me, you'd know that I just love (read H.A.T.E.) this kind of a plan.

Always trying to stay on top of things and keep in control what I can, I went house hunting in Conroe. Well, let me amend that. I started out house hunting and came to the realization that if I truly am not wanted anywhere else I'll have to be living on my current budget which means I can only afford to apartment hunt.

I should stop and say (or whine about) that I hate living in apartments. I like quiet. I usually like a yard (though seriously the creepy crawlies that go with grass...), and I'm picky in that I don't want to trek up stairs to get to my front door. Also, I'd like to have lots of room. Apartments aren't my first choice, but I'm discovering that they might be my only choice.

Okay, back to my house...err...apartment hunting this weekend. The places I could afford are the places where I'd be afraid for my life. And the places that were the nicest were for the drug dealing baby factories that are considered low income. (No offense to any drug dealing baby factories that are reading...) I learned quickly that I was what these apartments call "over qualified" and I need to look at "conventional" apartments.

So, this is my life at the moment. Packing up one residence to get ready to move to a still unknown residence. Also, there are only 7 days of school left so things are pretty crazy right now. This year has gone by so fast, but I think my little darlings are ready to move on from second grade. We all done good this year!

I hope you guys enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend! I've got laundry to finish (don't I always though...) and I think I might even scrap a little tonight or tomorrow, but other than that I'm just going to enjoy and rest for the rest of the long weekend. I hope you get to do that too!

Friendly Dinner Mishap

2008-05-13T15:57:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about going to Conroe (about 30 miles away...you know...the "big city") is that my friend Nina and I (usually) get to go out to dinner! Where I live there are only a handful of restaurants...Chili's, a BBQ joint, and a dozen or so Mexican places. It gets pretty boring for the taste buds.

Well, several nights ago I got suckered into craving Olive Garden thanks to a new commercial advertising the stuffed rigatoni and sausage (by the way...yummy!). For that kind of indulgence I have to make a trip down Nina's way. Just my luck...Nina didn't mind eating out. The last time we went to Olive Garden it was a great experience. This time...not so much.

It was one mishap after another. For all the nitty gritty details go here...Nina's Life and check out her version (you might have to scroll...). It is pretty much mishap by mishap what happened! Plus, I'm all about pimpin' a friend's blog. Y'all go show her all the blog love y'all show me...and you'll get to read a funny story in the process.

What are you still doing here....go!

A Mama Is...

2008-05-08T18:49:00.000-07:00

All week I've wondered what project to have the kids do for Mother's Day. Some classes are making vases out of plastic water bottles covered in tissue paper squares dipped in clue. Some are sticking their pictures on a flower that says, "I love you Mom!". And we're writing a poem.

Yep, I can really let it flow here...always (well not so much these days but 360 posts prove I'm somewhat) wordy. Today when I gathered my kids around for writer's workshop to demonstrate how to write this poem I had trouble. It wasn't that I didn't have anything to say, but I found that I had so much to say.

My mom is so much more than my mom. I didn't realize that until I was an adult living life out on my own. She's my mama. She's my best friend. She's always there. She keeps me grounded. She taught me to see that there is a bigger picture. She's shared her faith. She's my mama...my kids don't understand that. But I hope they will one day.

So, here is my poem.

A Mama Is...

By: Steff

A Mama is "I'll love you always...no matter what."

A Mama is strawberry cake to finish off a birthday dinner.

A Mama is a safe place to fall when the world has been cruel.

A Mama is a loud cheer in your corner when the world has been exceedingly kind.

A Mama is the scent of fresh laundry.

A Mama is always there even when she is miles away.

A Mama is what I want to be.

I love you Mama!

Such Language

2008-05-05T16:13:00.001-07:00

As a teacher, there are just some things that I've grown accustomed to when it comes to parents. And then there are things that just blow me away.

Today, on our way to lunch, one of my little potty mouths turned around and let the person behind her have it...to the tune of you mother $@*&^! I was shocked and frankly a little amazed that an eight year old not only knew that phrase, but knew how to use it properly. Well I suppose properly is up for debate, but you know what I mean.

Anyway, this isn't normal behavior for this child so instead of taking her to the office, I decided to handle this in-classroom so to speak. I made her move a clip and took away her recess time. I also let her know that we'd be calling her mom too. Our afternoon was rather busy so I didn't have time to make the call until close to the end of the day.

I called her mom and explained that something had happened today and the child responded in a very inappropriate way. I also said that her daughter would be telling her what exactly she had said. Said child gets on the phone and says the above statement to her mom. Her mom talked to her for a minute and then she handed the phone back to me. At which point my jaw dropped when her mother said, "You called me just because she said..." Well you know what she said but the mom said the actual phrase to me!

I tell you...I would have been mortified...no...terrified to have repeated that to my mom on the phone. And I can guarantee that my mom would have been so embarrassed to have to speak to the teacher after hearing her child said such a thing. Parents just aren't the same today as mine were when I was growing up.

So, that whole little thing made my Monday a little more interesting.

Going Wild!

2008-05-01T17:56:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the second grade field trip to the Houston Zoo! The kids are excited and even the teachers are excited. I'm excited because I have nine parents going! Yep...nine parents. That is more than half my parents. Y'all pray (or wish for us!) good weather. This is the second attempt at this field trip (last one "rained" out) so we really want that chance of rain to stay at 20%.

Oh, and I'll update tomorrow...heck who am I trying to fool...whenever I get to it with pictures of our positively wild time and my positively new red hair!

Playing Catch Up

2008-04-23T19:28:00.001-07:00

You guys really are the best. I've become this horrible blogger recluse, yet I still check my comments daily hoping that you guys haven't followed my terrible lead. And I'm always surprised! Thank you all for the wonderful comments and emails. Even when I'm being unusually quiet, I appreciate the thoughts and support. I'd promise to return the favor, but with my current blogging habits I might just end up being a terrible liar. So, I'm going to take it one day at a time and make time to visit at least one friend every day. Baby steps and all....

Anyway, the vacation time share...excuse me vacation home purchase...turned out to be a lot of hype. But you never know until you go right? I conned my cousin into going with me (promising her the "free" seat next to me on the plane to Vegas and all) and also so she could remind me to be strong and remember my favorite phrase, "No, thank you!" The guy who showed us around was really nice (and cute...but I wasn't swayed) and even took my "No, thank you!" very well. He just asked a manager to come over and talk to me about financing. I couldn't afford this place with the cute guy and even though I was curious about the "deal" this other guy could make me I still couldn't afford it. For those people that could it seemed like a good deal. Well, once I told him "No, thank you!" he became a little rude. Okay, more than a little rude. I believe his exact words were, "Fine, keep throwing away your money." (See they try to sell you on the idea that the money you'd spend on their vacation getaway is less than you'd spend on a year's worth of vacations.) I replied that I didn't think I was throwing away money at which point he stomped away from the table leaving me completely clueless as to what to do next.

When I finally did make it to the prize hut it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I "won" a trip to Aruba that I have to pay to get to, pay to eat and drink at, and pay to get around on. Not so great of a deal. Of course there is the Vegas trip...the one that leaves on Tuesday only between 3pm-10pm and lets us stay at the luxurious Days Inn. The best thing I got was a $40 gas card!

I was finally able to sleep again, but I'm not sure how long it is going to last. It is 9:45 and I'm wide awake. Hopefully a little blogging and then a little in bed reading will help me drift off at a reasonable hour. It is probably because I got the most unprofessional e-mail about my contract today and I'm all up in a stir again. As my mom has told me...let it go and don't pick it back up. Leave it alone! Keep sending me sleepy time thoughts okay...

I've applied at two more school districts. Just a little nibble in Spring but I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that somewhere out there someone wants me. And no, Lori...not in Arkansas! It is a waiting game but I've waited before so I'll make it. Patience just isn't my long suit...not by a long shot!

Yes, there is a guy. But that is all I'm willing to share. Right now it is just a friendship (which is how they should all start out right) but I'm open to whatever comes next. We'll see.

There are only 29 days of school left. How does that happen? How can it already be the end of April? Time sure goes fast these days. I've got a great crop of kids this year and it is hard to believe that my time with them is already drawing to a close. They have made great gains this year and I'm so proud of them! And of course they keep me laughing (which I've needed a little bit lately)! The other day we were discussing diagrams and how some diagrams point out the names of parts. This particular diagram was a plane...parts of a plane. We got a little stuck on the word cabin (most thought that was a house) but after some explaining I thought we had it.

Ms. S: "Where does the pilot sit?"
S: "In his seat Ms. Stewart!"

Well, apparently not. But I had to laugh...

Thanks again for hanging in there with me. You bloggers are the best!

12:41

2008-04-20T22:41:00.000-07:00

It is after midnight. Where should I be...bed. Where am I...in front of the computer. My body is tired and begging for bed, but I can not shut my mind off. There are so many things rattling around up there.

I'm worried that I won't find another job and I'll be stuck in the hell that is where I work.

I'm frustrated because I'm not in control right now. I hate having any of my ducks out of a row and right now the job duckie (a huge duckie) is missing altogether.

I'm disappointed in myself that I hate where I am and while I'm making efforts to change where I am and daily trying to find the positive I still hate where I am. I hate that I hate it.

I'm excited about an upcoming vacation (to Amman, Jordan this Christmas!)

I'm trying to stay in perspective when it comes to this guy. My emotions are trying to run wild, but my head (and mother) are shouting back perspective perspective perspective.

My bed is calling and I really should return. I still feel like sleep is a long way off, but perhaps I'll rest more if I'm under the covers with the lights out.

Mind...go to sleep!

The Bluebonnet Festival

2008-04-12T16:35:00.001-07:00

I've been hearing about the funky weather across the country, but today was a beautiful day in Texas! It was perfect for heading out to a Bluebonnet Festival. Bluebonnets the flowers...not the butter. (Somebody will understand that!) My friend Tracy and I headed out around noon for a lazy jaunt through the country. We were on the hunt for these...bluebonnets.

Unfortunately, while we saw patches of flowers, they seemed to be past their peak. Some spots were vibrant blues and purples and in huge chunks. For the most part though, it was small patches of not so vivid flowers. I was fully expecting to find a beautiful patch where I could sit in them and have a picture taken. Turns out there wasn't a spot that would have been worth the memory card space.

Anyway, we did make it to the festival and the arts and crafts fair. It was set up along the main street. There were so many booths! I saw many things I could have carried home with me, but my wallet kept a tight leash on me...fortunately. I did come across this little treasure in The Brazos Star. I'm partial to Americana stuff and I just couldn't resist. Isn't it sweet!

The flag is stitched out of material and is surprisingly soft. I'm not sure how I will incorporate it into my living room decor, but I'll find a way!

Also, what is a festival if you don't indulge in festival food?! The smells were all mixing together, and the smokey smell of brisket and sausage was almost more than I could take. I did settle for a delicious funnel cake and fresh squeezed lemonade!

I opted for the small version (it was still a lot of funnel cake...probably the 1,000 calorie version!) but I can't imagine what a Texas size would have been like! Either way it was very good...crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and very powdery!

Also, speaking of things that are crispy, I got that way a little bit myself. I wore an off the shoulder shirt and didn't give sunscreen a thought when I left. Apparently, I should have!

Thankfully, I Solarcaine-ed up as soon as I got home. It isn't stinging too much. You're probably noticing the little circular moon in the middle. My hair is getting much too long (normally I keep it shoulder length) so where it was I'm still creamy skinned. Unfortunately, everything else got burned. I guess it'll just match the other tan lines...soon I hope!

I had a great Saturday. I hope all you lovely people did too!

Vegas Baby...Maybe

2008-04-10T17:19:00.000-07:00

I have a story to tell about a "free vacation" and maybe the gullible girl that is falling for it. Great hook right?!

Several weeks ago, I got this letter from a prize verification center that was addressed to my dad but with my address. The letter said that I'd (well he'd) been chosen to win a fabulous free vacation plus another of four great prizes. The letter didn't say what I had to do to claim these wonderful prizes. So, I read it and then promptly tore it up. I tossed it away, chalking it up to one of those hoaxy things.

Well, maybe two weeks later I received another letter. Again it was addressed to my dad (a big red flag...he wouldn't have signed up for something using my address) and I read it again. This time I thought a few minutes before tearing it up and promptly forgetting about it. Just days ago guess what came...yes...another letter. Now, I have to say that my curiosity was well and fully peaked. I laid it to the side with all the intentions of calling and finding out what exactly I'd won. Then I got busy.

When the postcard came yesterday, I made it a point to call. Heaven bless the guy that answered my call! I had many questions and was loaded with skepticism. Supposedly, all I have to do is give two hours of my time and listen to some spiel to buy into this vacation resort timeshare and an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas is mine. For those of you out there afraid that I'm walking into some trap where I'm going to lose all my money...fear not! I'm very good at saying NO!

I did put two and two together and realized that I'd have to probably pay taxes on the trip, but still that might be cheaper than if I'd actually planned the trip to Vegas. Also, I specifically asked for the website address and the name of the company (I Better Business Bureau-ed them!) so I could investigate on my own. Well, I can't access the website. That was sort of a red flag so I searched for this company and scams. Several things came up, but mostly the disgruntled were people who'd actually bought into the timeshare program. There were a few people that said they just went for the free trips and were satisfied.

I want to be in that group...the free (well...relatively free) trip winners who are satisfied group. We shall see. I'm supposed to go and tour this resort next weekend. I'm also taking my cousin with me...she can say NO! too! I'll keep everyone updated on whether I'm actually going to Vegas or not. I know you're waiting with bated breath...

Blackberry Blunder

2008-04-06T06:04:00.000-07:00

It should come as a shock to no one, but I am not good with technological gadgets. Seriously, it is a miracle that I can work things like the remote or the computer. Even then, sometimes I get frustrated and want to whack the heck out of it! When I got my new cell phone (I finally upgraded to something not from the 1990s) I had to scour the manual to find out how to do the basics. Yes, I live in a sad little low-tech world!

Well, yesterday my cousin and I were out and about. We'd gone out to lunch and were on the hunt for a movie theater that was showing The Other Boleyn Girl. She has a gerbil or German or something...anyway, it's one of those things that tells you where you are and where you need to go. It sits on the dashboard. It was turning out to be of no help, so she dug out her blackberry for us to use the Internet to find movie listings.

I should mention that we were driving along in Houston area traffic so she said, "You do know how to use the Internet right?" Well, of course I know how to use the Internet...when it is on a computer screen. She handed over the phone thing and I looked at it thinking, "Where is the A key?" Yeah, I was pushing all sorts of buttons. I must have had a seriously perplexed look on my face, because she started cracking up. It wasn't just any normal cracking up, but that kind where you hear no sound coming out. Babies do that...when they make that face, but no sound comes out. You know it is going to be one loud fit when the voice catches up with the face. I quickly handed the thing back like it was a hot potato! And then I caught the giggles.

You know, maybe you just had to be there, but I have serious issues with blackberries! Maybe I just have serious issues with technology! I swear...

Can Never Have Too Many

2008-04-01T16:16:00.000-07:00

Today was a mental health day for me. I did have a doctor's appointment this morning, but after that was over I decided to drive to the "big city" of Conroe (you'd understand that if you understood how small the town where I live really is...) and do a little shopping. You know shopping really is the best kind of therapy!

At Target I found the cutest shoes! They are like fake Crocs...same material but a much cheaper price. Well, I found a pair of light pink and dark pink striped ones. I loved them! They are so comfortable. Plus, they match the blue pair I have and always get so many compliments on them. See...

In the midst of admiring these, I stumbled across another Croc-like pair of shoes. They are like Mary Janes and again so darn comfortable! The only thing about these is that they sometimes make a little squish sound when I walk. That might be embarrassing...if you know what I mean... But, I'll over come it because they are just so cute! See...

Nothing like adding a new pair of shoes to the collection. Well, except adding two!

For The Honk Of It

2008-03-27T17:39:00.000-07:00

After all this time, you guys probably know just how easily amused I am. Usually that amusement comes from things I see or hear, but today I was totally amused by myself. Being able to laugh at yourself is a sign of a healthy self esteem...or so I'm told. Well, today I'm extremely healthy!

A few weeks ago, I had to have my car put in the shop (code words for I had to spend an exuberant amount of money...). I had originally decided to have it looked at because my horn had all but given up the ghost. Seriously, this would be the best post to make audible. I'm sure you'd be highly amused to hear me wheeze and whooo like my practically dead horn, but alas I'm not that technologically advanced. So, just imagine me sitting here making wheezey and whoooy noises. The replacing of the horn was needed so my car would pass inspection. Well, I am definitely going to pass inspection!

Today after school, I needed to run to the little mail shipping place I use to drop off a package. The box was kind of bulky so I didn't want to wag in more than necessary. I grabbed my purse (also kind of bulky) and set it against the steering wheel to dig out my checkbook. Now, pre-outrageous amount to fix car (can you tell I'm still a little bitter about the loss of that $680?) I could have sat on the horn and it wouldn't have made a peep. Well, post-fix the horn is how shall I say...sensitive. Apparently the edge of my purse was pressing against the center of the wheel. When I reached into the pocket to grab my checkbook I pressed a little too hard I guess.

Now, here is the part that just tickles my funny bone. I didn't realize it at the time, but there was another lady parked next to me that walking in front of my car at the exact moment I pressed a little too hard. My horn, now fully functional and loud, tooted big time. Startled, I looked up to see her jump and I guess I hit it because before I knew it the horn was going off...again. I couldn't get my purse off my lap fast enough. By that time, I was tickled by seeing her jump and then me jump and then that horn going off again.

I did manage to get out of the car, with my checkbook, and the box without further incident. I apologized to her once I got inside the building. Thankfully, she was super nice about it all! Even she joined in with a little chuckle of her own. She did say it was a good thing she's worn her Depends. You just have to like a woman that can laugh at the fact that she needs "leakage" protection!

If all that wasn't bad enough, on the way to my next stop I hit the horn again. Now, if you knew my family you would understand this total "Mimi moment". Several years ago, my Mimi had this van that must have been possessed. The horn would just go off at random times. No one ever wanted to ride in that thing, but it sure was funny when you did! So, needless to say, from here on out (or until this horn goes all wheezey and whoooy) I will make sure I'll watch exactly what I put against the wheel!

Entirely Too Much TV

2008-03-24T16:42:00.000-07:00

I saw the cutest commercial today! Yes, I was home from work. I'm having ear problems (and no the kids didn't talk it off!). Last week I went to the doctor because I'd been having ear pain and pressure for almost two weeks. The doctor came in, took a look, and said I had a serious infection in one ear and the start of one in the other ear. I was given a round of antibiotics, but they hadn't done the trick. I'm armed with another prescription for stronger antibiotics and orders to follow-up again with the doctor in seven days. I'm so tired of feeling so...full!

Anyway, back to this commercial I saw today. Now, you know that I'm a TV watcher. A lot of the time, half the fun of watching it is because of the commercials. Or perhaps I'm just so easily amused! Either way, Charmin has the funniest commercial. It starts out with a little bear walking around with toilet paper fuzz on his bottom. Then his mama comes after him with the vacuum cleaner and sucks the fuzz right off his bottom. I'm not doing it any justice, but it sure is cute! The whole point is that their toilet paper is quilted in a way that won't leave any fuzz on your bottom.

If the teaching thing doesn't pan out, I might try advertising. I could come up with something just as cute as a mama vacuuming her little bear's bottom. Trust me, be on the look out for it!

Spring Cleanin'

2008-03-22T15:01:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd share...this is my 350 post! Who would have thought I'd have so much to say?!

I was off on Friday (district says it is a bad weather day and the calendar says that it is Good Friday) and was so glad! We've only got ten weeks of school left. The year has just flown by...it is so crazy! Anyway, I spent yesterday out with the girls. We went shopping, had a great lunch out, and then saw a movie. Busy day so I slept extra late this morning. I think with Spring Break last week and yesterday off I'm getting into a habit that I hate to break come Monday morning. I also had to remind myself that it wasn't Sunday and I had an "extra" day off.

Being that it is now officially Spring and I had some time on my hands I decided to do some in-depth cleaning. Y'all pretty much know how I feel about chores so why bore everyone again, but oh I hate house work! I'll make someone such a terrible wife one day. Ha ha...that was a joke! Well, sorta...

I've vacuumed and scrubbed stuff. I've washed curtains and sheets. Now I need to start organizing stuff. My bathroom closet looks like a mini drug store and linens store exploded. I'm contemplating the pantry and spice rack next, but we'll see. I'm not all that into cooking so maybe it could wait.

Along the lines of needing to sweep the dust bunnies off the rafters and ceiling fans, I started thinking about other things that could probably use a good cleaning. You know the things that aren't "household items". Things like my attitude toward people at work. Instead of letting it get me down I need to just clean it up and realize that there are only a handful of weeks left to have to deal with these people. I also need to dust off the stamps and my address book. I got a card from a friend and realized just how long it has been since I sent out mail happiness to people. I also need to tackle my closets. I have clothes for all the seasons just thrown in together in the bedroom closet. Yes, I am one of those people who try to keep the seasonal clothes all together and change them out from the spare bedroom closet to my actual bedroom closet. It is a sickness I tell you! Plus, I need to get rid of some things! I've been getting more movement in and thanks to more nights cooking rather than eating out, I'm down 10 pounds and some things are too big in the waist now. That kind of cleaning is always a good thing right?!

So, I'm taking time to reflect about what the Easter holiday means to me on a spiritual level, but I'm also looking at it from the perspective of someone who needs to shake off the dullness and blues of the Winter and get into the new groove of Spring! I look outside (I have six windows in my living room and the view is just gorgeous out there) and see everything green and getting ready to bloom. It is invigorating! I hope you can find some time to catch that same feeling too!

Pinch Protection

2008-03-17T17:39:00.001-07:00

I keep saying it and once again, I really should write down all the funny things kids say to their teachers and write a book! Some days the best part of the job is what comes out of their little mouths.

As I'm sure you guys are well aware, today was St. Patrick's Day. Like most people, I wore green in an effort to avoid any pinch activity. See...I thought I looked pretty good for the first Monday back after Spring Break.

Anyway, as the kids came into the classroom, I looked them over from head to toe and if I didn't see green they had to endure a little pinch (please don't turn me in for child abuse...I swear it was the gentlest of pinches!) before they could enter. Out of sixteen kids only two needed a pinch. Our morning was running pretty smoothly when one of my boys just about came out of his seat waving his arm.

"Ms. Stewart, can I pinch you?"
"No! You only can pinch if the person is not wearing green."
"Ms. Stewart, you shouldn't have worn green. We all want to pinch you!"

I wasn't sure how to respond to that kind of logic! I reminded him that I didn't want to get pinched so I wore green as pinch protection.

Later in the day, I met up with my Pre-K friends (I think I hear a calling to go back to Pre-K...a whole other blog post...) and one of the little dolls that loves to give me hugs every afternoon ran up to me. She grabbed my name badge and pointed to my name. I should mention that my first and last name is printed on my badge under my picture. She pointed to each letter in my first name as she said the letters out loud. Then she said, "That says Ms." She repeated the same thing with my last name. Then she said, "That says Stewart."

She was so excited that she looked up at me and said, "I can read!". She was just so darn adorable! Kids...gotta love 'em!

What If...

2008-03-12T06:43:00.000-07:00

Y'all know how I feel about tags and questionnaire things! I found (read stole) this from Lori's blog. I liked it. If you do too, then feel free to steal! If not, then just enjoy the read.

What if I could meet someone in the art world to chat with - I think it would be a very short conversation! I'm not artsy at all. Now, if scrapbooking counts as the art world, I'd love to meet and chat with Lisa Bearnson!

What if I could have one wish granted for the benefit of all mankind - I'm sure this sounds corny and very reminiscent of a beauty pageant, but I'd wish for world peace. Every time you turn on the TV there is some new break-out of violence. Someone else is hurting another person. Surely an end to all the violence and wars would be a benefit to all mankind.

What if I could travel anywhere in the world - I'd want to go everywhere! It is hard to narrow it down to just one spot, but I think I'd love to travel and see Ireland and Scotland. The pictures that I see from there are absolutely breathtaking. And some of those highland kilt wearing clansmen fantasies don't hurt!

What if I could live in a period other than the present, for 24 hours - Hmm, I think I have it pretty good right now, so I'm not sure I'd want to leave the present! But, for the sake of the question, I'd probably pick the Civil War era. Maybe I've watched Scarlett one too many times, but the dresses, hats, shoes, and such look so lovely. Plus, it just seems like the deep South would be a charming place. I'm so off base aren't I?!

What if I could make over three areas of my body - My butt (I would redefine it and make it smaller), my breasts (I would put some of the butt there to make them bigger), and my thighs (they have just always been a struggle). Outside of the breasts (which will probably just remain their current shape and size because I really don't think I'm vain enough for surgery), I am already working on making over those other two areas. The going is just slow!

What if I could become an animal for 24 hours - I want to be Dex, Fat Kitty! All he does is get pampered with attention, eat, and sleep. Who wouldn't want that kind of a life?!

What if I could bring someone back to life for 24 hours - I think I'd want to bring back my dad's mom. She died before I was born so I never had the chance to know her. I've heard all about her, but would love to introduce myself and find out a little bit more about her.

Show Me The Money

2008-03-10T18:07:00.000-07:00

Ever have one of those days where you feel like everywhere you turn someone is demanding "Show me the money!"? Well, today was my day.

My car is a good little car and I try my best to take care of it, but today I had to take it to the shop. I went in for one little thing...the horn. See, when I got the car it had this sickening little wheeze of a horn sound. Well, after several years and just maybe one too many honks, it gave up the ghost. I also need to have the thing inspected and I knew that without the horn it wouldn't pass. So, how much could it cost to fix the horn? I wouldn't know, because it was also discovered that I needed a new headlight thing-a-mah-bob, the fuel filter and some plugs needed replacing, and the timing belt needed to be replaced. These guys are reputable and do outstanding work. My parents have used them for years, but when he said the total was $680 I just about fell out. That is more than my rent! More than my rent and cable and phone put together! I guess this is what savings accounts and rainy days are all about huh?

That was this morning.

As I mentioned before, I'm having to have my wisdom teeth extracted (sounds more dramatic!) this summer. Today was the pre-surgery consult. Well, the oral surgeon I'm using will file my insurance, but they don't accept it as payment. That means I shelled out $125 for the visit and the three second X-ray. I also found out that my bottom teeth are embedded in the jaw bone so the extraction will be a "bony extraction" which means I have to be put to sleep and the teeth have to be cut before they can be removed. I found out all kinds of scary stuff. Like, I'll be put to sleep. The surgery will take an hour and a half. Because of the position of my bottom wisdom teeth (they lay flat instead of standing up like good teeth) it will most likely being a swelling and painful recovery process. My doctor even said, "You'll probably be cussin' me for the first few days." Thanks, but that wasn't encouraging Doc. As if all that information wasn't enough...the receptionist laid the boom on me. The total (before insurance...which mine might yeah MIGHT cover only 80%) is $1645. Yeah you read that right.

I figured I'd better come home and stay put lest anyone else come find me and say I owed them money! Feel free to start a collection in my name. Okay okay I figured that one wouldn't go over, but please do send up thoughts and prayers that my insurance will cover the full 80%. My checking account and I would really appreciate it!

On The Road Again...

2008-03-09T11:36:00.000-07:00

The last few weeks have found me putting the pedal to the metal and hitting the highway. Last weekend, I traveled to my grandparents for a family weekend (had a great time!) and then yesterday I headed to my parents' house to spend the week (it is much needed Spring Break time!). As I was trapped in my car for hours on end I made a few discoveries.

First, you can always go home again, but the drive never gets any shorter! It takes forever to get anywhere in the state of Texas. I mean, having lived here my whole life, I know Texas is a big state. I was telling someone just the other day that I spent about three hours driving to go about two inches on the map. And that was the short trip. I live about five hours away from my parents now. My mom always likes to ask, "Well did the road get any shorter?" and the answer is always the same...NO!

Second, we need to stop worrying about that chicken and start talking to all those poor stinky skunks about crossing the road! I've never seen so many dead skunks! Maybe it was the distance and that is why I counted so many. Poor stinky things...you'd think they would learn that cars are not friendly to skunks.

Third, it is a good thing I'm an educator because I'd never make it as a singer! In an effort to ward off the boredom, I plugged my MP3 player in and sang away. I love that thing! I guess it is a good thing I didn't give up and chunk it out the window at Christmas. LOL While it didn't totally take my mind off of how bored I was, it did make for some pretty strange looks from my fellow travelers. I was singing at the top of my lungs and dancing (well as much as you can strapped in by the seat belt) along to the songs. I'm sure I looked like I was on my way to the nut farm!

Anyway, despite the long and boring drive, I've arrived safe and in one piece. I unloaded to my mom about all the crap that has been happening at school. (Y'all, I could go on and on about it, but it is just same song different verse. Please just send thoughts and prayers my way that I find another job ASAP!) Well, after our debriefing, I resolved that I wouldn't give school another thought this week. I'm looking forward to sleeping late, catching up on some reading, and just over all having some time to just relax. My fellow teachers will completely understand that sentiment. The rest of you...sorry, but you made the wrong career choice!

Just Desserts

2008-02-28T15:14:00.000-08:00

One of my jobs as Relay For Life captain is to help come up with ideas for fundraisers. Our latest idea...a silent dessert auction. After wrangling most of the team members into baking two desserts a piece, I really think this will be a success! Now, as a team member you know that I had to make two desserts too. Y'all remember my fine cooking skills right?!

I've been told I shouldn't be so hard on myself (okay she actually said I shouldn't be misleading the public) when it comes to my skills in the kitchen. I can cook. I have a handful of things that I cook/bake/throw together really well. My cooking skills just aren't exactly where I wish they were...I make huge messes in the kitchen, I set off the smoke detectors on a regular basis, and I've had some total flops. But, no one would starve if I was in charge of all the cookin'.

So, back to today's kitchen activities. I volunteered to bring a lemon cake and a chocolate cherry trifle. Sounds yummy right?! I'm hoping that they are (well actually I know that the lemon cake is wonderful!) good and look great too. Not that I'm going to be crushed, but I don't want them to bring the least amount of money. Hmm...is that wrong to say?!

Also, in addition to mixing batters and putting together the trifle, I also need to clean some berries. Tomorrow the kids are making fruit and yogurt parfaits in class. We've been talking about making healthy snack choices and they love to play with food. I really think this is the most action my kitchen has seen in a long time! At least the oven is playing nice and not smoking every time I open the door.

Now, if you'll excuse me...despite the encouragement I've given the dishes...they aren't getting busy and washing themselves. Darn dishes. They must be good friends with the laundry that doesn't wash itself either...

Crazy Eights

2008-02-26T17:22:00.000-08:00

Okay, y'all know how much I love a good questionnaire thingy and my friend Lindsey tagged me! This might have made the rounds while I was out taking a breath so I probably won't tag anyone. If you haven't been tagged then give it a shot!

8 Things I'm Passionate About:
1. Family!
2. Friends...the real ones and the blogger variety!
3. Teaching
4. My faith
5. Scrapbooking
6. Writing
7. Sending mail happiness
8. Shopping!

8 Things I Want to do Before I die:
1. Get married
2. Have a baby...or maybe two or three babies
3. Go to Alaska and see the Northern Lights
4. Teach Social Studies
5. Be a single digit...probably won't happen, but a girl can dream right?!
6. Be debt free!
7. Be published in a scrapbooking magazine
8. Retire and love it! (stealing this answer but at the moment it sounds so wonderful!)

8 Things I Say Often:
1. "NO!" (to my students...haha)
2. "Anyways"
3. "I hate....H.A.T.E. laundry."
4. "That is my favorite commercial!"
5. "Let's shop!"
6. "I forgot..."
7. "Love you!"
8. "Seriously"

8 Books I've Read Recently:
1. Too Much Temptation by Lori Foster
2. Your Bed or Mine? by Kate Hoffmann
3. Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth by Allison McGhee
4. Venus Envy by Shannon McKelden
5. Figure Magazine
6. Scrapbook Etc.
7. Winter Roses by Diana Palmer
8. Tooth Trouble (it is dental health month!)

8 Songs I Could Listen to Over and Over:
1. Sweet Victory by Twilia Paris
2. One Life by Kenny Rogers
3. God Speaking by Mandisa
4. If Walls Could Talk by Celine Dion
5. I Remember by Kenny Chesney
6. Just Like Jesse James by Cher
7. Beauty and The Beast by Celine Dion
8. I Want To Be The One by Lonestar

8 Things That Attract Me to My Best Friends:
1. Funny...gotta have a sense of humor. Helps if that humor is a little off because frankly I'm a little off sometimes!
2. Say what you mean...mean what you say
3. Make time for me
4. Honesty
5. They just "get" me
6. Love to shop!
7. They know how to laugh!
8. They are the people who know all my stories and I have been there for all of theirs

If you want it....take it!

Breathing No Longer

2008-02-24T10:09:00.000-08:00

My friend Nina isn't just a fellow blogger, but a friend and co-worker. The other day as I was cutting through her room she said, "Are you done breathing yet?" Well, yeah...I'm done breathing.

I've missed my blog and I've missed all my readers! Thank you so much for the encouraging emails and everyone who still stopped by to check in on me. Y'all are the best! Now, how to catch everyone up on what has been happening in my life in the most concise way possible? Several of you know that I can just go on and on about practically nothing... There were several reasons as to why I needed a little down time so I'm just going to give you a brief run down. I promise...brief!

Work...lots of things fall under this heading. Isn't if funny how if you aren't careful work can completely take over your life? This is sort of what happened to me.

Professional Learning Communities...Of The Devil
Okay, some of my fellow teachers may have heard of PLCs. Under it all, PLCs are a wonderful thing. I really do believe in them. PLC means working together as a school and group of professionals to see those kids as "ours" rather than just "mine". It is a very student-centered approach to teaching. The only down side...it is so much data and paperwork! Our district decided that everyone would do this and like it (seriously...a couple of complainers have gotten professional letters of reprimand put in their personnel folders...wtf?) and get it the first time around. Well, let me tell you...doing it takes a lot of time, no one really likes it, and getting it the first time is incredibly hard. It might have been easier if this was the only new thing out district was trying...but it wasn't. Picture me in a batting cage with one very small mitt. Now picture the ball thingy going crazy and firing hard balls every second. Yeah, that is me. Most days when someone comes to my door, I just want to hide under my desk! Believe me, even if I close my eyes they can still see me.

My Bleepty Bleep Principal
The woman hates me! I don't know why and I've stopped trying to figure it out. I had my annual evaluation and well...I'm jumping through a lot of hoops right now. She waited until the very last minute (seriously...Thursday 3:15 was the deadline and she came at 2:10-3:00 on Thursday) and showed up during end of the nine weeks testing. It was in my lesson plans that I would be working one-on-one with testing students and the others would be doing worksheets to keep busy and quiet. Well is it any wonder that she didn't see me teaching? Also, if you're a teacher you know that during reading testing it needs to be quiet. I made one student move closer to me because of behavior (he wasn't working) and I told two others to sit and read. Yes, I didn't hold their hands and plead with them to be quiet and work, but rather quickly and efficiently told them to sit down and get busy reading. Well, apparently my principal doesn't like how I use rules and consequences to manage my classroom. I feel you sighing and rolling your eyes. Anyway, I'm jumping through some hoops for her at the moment. Several people have told me to appeal the evaluation, but it just doesn't seem worth it at the moment. Sometimes it is just not worth the fight.

Updating My Resume and Job Hunting
With the above, is it any stretch to see how I'm looking to leave this district? Now, I'm not expecting perfection somewhere else and I'm not afraid of hard work, but geez I can't take working in this environment any longer. I've been told that not all districts are like this and I shouldn't give up teaching until I've been where it is good. I love teaching and it was a pretty sharp slap in the face when I questioned whether I wanted to continue doing it. So, I've updated the resume and I'm applying all over the place and now I wait to see if I get a nibble. I hate the waiting part!

Relay For Life Captain
Against my will (sorta) and against my better judgement (seriously) I took on the job of co-captaining our school's Relay For Life team. This is a wonderful event for a really good cause, but what was I thinking?! If you've ever headed up a group or team you know that it is almost like pulling teeth to get people to give of their valuable time to join the team, fund raise, and then participate in the actual event. I just felt overwhelmed. I still feel overwhelmed. But I've got a team (a wonderful team!) who help plan fundraisers and are in the trenches with me. And thank goodness it is all over in April!

Biggest Loser Club
At school, a group of us decided to do a little Biggest Loser at school. We donate $8 a month and the person who loses the most by the end of May gets the kitty...the over $500 kitty! I don't know exactly how it happened, but I'm the secretary. It isn't a hard job at all (just send out the weigh-in reminders) but it is one more thing to remember. I even forgot last week...shame shame. Anyway, I'm having fun with the club. We encourage each other and we've started walking one mile each day. Once you push past the initial pain...it's all gravy. Or so we tell ourselves!

Personal...or basically everything else.

Moving
Well, if I'm applying all over the place and assuming that I will get a nibble somewhere else means that a move is in my near future. I hate moving! I've only done it once but that was enough. I have a lot of stuff for a 26 year old. The thought of packing it up and finding another place to put it is very daunting. Yeah, just daunting.

Money
Ugh, how come bills come with being a grown up? I've been trying really hard to stick with my monthly budget (I haven't bought a new purse or shoes in many moons...) and save has become my mantra. That whole moving process...not cheap! Also, I have some big trips that I want to take (visit a friend in Jordan next year and maybe take another cruise). I also want (won't say need because mine is still working and running smoothly) to get a new car. For some reason, most people don't accept smiles and words of kindness. Also, for the last few months I've had outrageous energy bills. I couldn't figure out why since I was leaving the thermostat alone and either taking clothes off or putting more clothes on to be comfortable, but the bills were still over $200! Well, I called and the first thing they asked me was, "Have you changed your air filters lately?" I didn't know what the air filter was let alone where it was located in my house...seriously I thought it was the thing outside. Anyway, can you guess how long it had been since they'd been changed considering I didn't even know where it was located?! Let's see...I've lived here for almost two years. Yep, it was pretty darn gross. So, here is to hoping that my bill goes back down ASAP!

Social Calendar
I like hanging out with my friends, but I love alone time too. Well, I'd gotten a little bit out of whack. I wasn't spending enough time alone. It is great that I can go out and hang with friends, but I wasn't getting enough time to just recharge and rest. My battery was on E. I'm a people person so it was hard at first to say no, but now I'm pretty good at it. I've found the balance between enjoying being a homebody and the social butterfly. Thank goodness!

Missing My Parents
It was great being with my family over the holidays. I've been completely blessed to have such a great relationship with parents. Once I came home after the holidays and my life seemed to just implode, I really hated that they were over 5 hours away. Coming for a little pick me up visit was out of the question and getting home wasn't an option either. Being only a phone call away isn't much comfort and is a poor substitute for warm hugs. Thankfully, I'm seeing them this coming weekend and in two weeks it is Spring Break, and before I know it summer will be here. This has just been a long stretch.

Dental Surgery
Last August, my dentist told me that I'd need to have my four wisdom teeth removed or I'd risk ruining my smile. Of course it couldn't be routine...my wisdom teeth lay sideways instead of sitting up normally. So, that means some dental surgery this summer. Luckily, I discovered that I signed up for dental insurance (a total mistake by the way!) so 80% is covered. That is sort of a relief, but the thought of being put to sleep...I'm not comfortable with it.

There you go. Aren't you glad you just read about it and weren't living it?!

Puffs This!

2008-02-10T13:11:00.000-08:00

Thank you for all the get well thoughts! They are helping. Yesterday was really rough, but today I feel slightly better. I'm still running a fever but at least food is staying put and my body isn't trying to destroy itself from the inside out. Now, please allow a sick gal some ranting rights...

Is it too much to ask that the Kleenex people NOT stuff the box so full of kleenex so that when I've got a noseful of gunk coming out I reach for a tissue and can only pull out that half that tears? Seriously, I've wanted to cut the darn box apart and just lay the stack on the nightstand.

Grrrr kleenex. If I wasn't as weak as a newborn kitten I'd totally kick your square butt.

Well Crap...

2008-02-08T16:36:00.000-08:00

I was fully planning on getting caught up on this blog this weekend. That will be put on hold again. Oh come on...y'all are sort of over the worst of the withdrawls right?! Anyway, today I felt like crap. No, crap that has been run over by a truck. Well, 101.8 fever, a nose swab that I swear touched my brain, and $25 later...diagnosis...the flu. This little cartoon pretty much sums up my day and probably my next few days.

Taking A Breather

2008-01-13T10:45:00.000-08:00

I've been debating back and forth on whether or not to even make this a post, but after two emails from caring readers (y'all are the best for sensing something was off and asking about me!) I've decided to not just disappear without some sort of an explanation. I need to take a breather from blogging. Hopefully, it will just be a short break. I have many things on my plate and many more things on my mind these days. When I get home, trying to string two sentences together, let alone an entire post, seems like a daunting task. Plus, some of the things I have going on are things that I don't feel I can share yet. I need some self-reflection time before I just blurt it out into cyber space. So, for a while this blog may stay very much unchanged. I enjoy the blogging community so much so I hope you guys hang with me while I breathe! And, I will still be lurking in your comments...reading is the easiest part of the whole blogging experience! Thanks for understanding!

Wiped Out

2008-01-11T18:35:00.000-08:00

Well, this week has been a good one, but it has kicked my butt too! School started back this Wednesday. I missed my kids! I didn't realize it until they came rushing up to me with hugs. I worried that we'd back track in our progress of learning and sticking to our routines, but they were great! They were a little rowdy today (or maybe I was just a little tired) but overall it was very nice to be back into my routine.

The only part of my routine that I'm not crazy about is the getting up at 5:30am part. I was looking forward to Saturday morning and sleeping as late as I wanted, but I've got this meeting thing tomorrow morning. See, I'm the Relay For Life co-captain for out school's team and there is a meeting tomorrow. It starts at 9am. Sometimes being a leader totally sucks. Bad attitude I know, but I'm wiped out.

So, after that I hope to get home and just relax. There is the required laundry and general cleaning that needs to be done too. Also, I need to get caught up with my blog buddies! I've been a total slacker in making the rounds. Lame excuse I know. So, watch out...I'll be out and about tomorrow!

Now, if you'll excuse me. I'm off to be a complete old fart by going to bed at 9pm and letting sleep claim me!

Have You Laughed Today?!

2008-01-08T18:17:00.000-08:00

It is back to work tomorrow and while I am ready to get back into my routine I'm not ready, as in prepared, to go back. Monday was a scheduled workday, but little work got done. It wasn't my fault though (so my story and I'm so stickin' to it)! I had to catch up with everyone for the first hour. Then I needed to whip out some lesson plans for a team meeting after lunch. Then I got invited to go out to lunch (with people I hadn't caught up with during the first hour) so I went. Then we had a team meeting...which lasted entirely too long...grrr. So, I finally got back to my room about 3:15. At 3:20 the assistant principal announces that the building will be closing with the alarm set at 4:00. Everyone was very surprised, but what can you do? So this afternoon I worked like crazy and managed to just get my desk cleaned off. Tomorrow will start early and probably end late!

Today was the required staff development in-service day. Normally this seems like a big waste of time. Seriously, that is just how it is. Well, today we had some pretty funny presenters and the material actually was very useful and relevant to me. There were a few "when is this over again?" moments, but mostly I was engaged.

The funniest part of the whole day was when someone would volunteer to answer a question the facilitators would share a cheer and then we'd all do it. You know teachers are easily amused so we all had fun. My favorite was one called the truck driver. You pretend that you're driving a truck and then you pump your arm in the air and pull the air horn. Then you pretend you've got a CB radio in your hand and say, "Good job little buddy...ten four!" For some reason, that completely cracked up the teachers at my table. We all wanted to have cool CB radio names. Any suggestions?!

Well, the teachers on my team have decided to teach these cheers to our kids so when someone needs some celebrating everyone can cheer them. But first, we're just going to do the cheer randomly...like when someone gets an answer right or does something cheer worthy. We're pretty sure our kids will look at us like we're nuts, and maybe we are, but you've got to find your laughs where you can!

And if you need some cheering let me know...I've got some good ones! (Hey, my kids can look at me like I'm nuts...y'all have to just love me as is!)

Clean Sweep

2008-01-05T18:09:00.000-08:00

I feel like I've overhauled my house today! I returned home early from my parents on the premise that I needed some time to get my Christmas taken down and have just a few days to relax before school started back. Well, I spent the first two days at home slowly bringing the Christmas stuff to central location, but mostly sitting on my couch watching movies and diving into a new book. So, today was do or die basically...I had to get that Christmas stuff taken down!

Now, I love Christmas and I love getting all the decorations out and having my home be full of Christmas spirit. I also like the way my home feels after all the Christmas decorations are put back in their boxes and my normal stuff is once again in place. I've sat and just stared at the end table and lamp that are back in their rightful place. All I can think is...ahhh. I guess it all boils down to being ready to face the new year officially. I do still have a little pile of Christmas things stacked in the spare bedroom, but it will have to sit that way until I can get to Walmart and buy another one of those huge plastic boxes. Last year, I had room to grow in the decoration department, but this year I guess I got too much new stuff! Anyway, things are so close to being back to normal that I feel safe in saying that Christmas is down for another year.

Today I also sat down and got all of my thank-you cards written. Warning...soap box rant fixing to begin! From the time I was old enough to write, my mom made me write thank-yous for every birthday, Christmas, or any other gift getting occasion. Thank-yous are also appropriate after any act of unexpected kindness. It has just been ingrained in my personality that thank-yous are a must...especially after Christmas. Now, if you're not a thank you writer please don't feel like I'm judging you or anything like that. I'm not. I'm just saying that for me personally I'd feel awful letting a gesture of kindness go unthanked. Okay, maybe there was a smidge of guilt thrown in there! There were many to write, but they are finished and ready to be mailed out on Monday.

There isn't much of my weekend left, but I intend to enjoy every last minute of it. I might scrounge around in the DVD cabinet or dive into my new "grown-up" read, Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult. I think it was made into a movie and I've seen the movie. I've had to force myself not to skip to the back (I'm notorious for reading the back of the book first!) and see if I'm right. So far it isn't bad, but unfortunately familiar. We'll see how it goes.

By the way...I've updated my photo spot on my sidebar with some new pictures. A couple are even from this Christmas! I'm sort of critical about the pictures and usually crop the heck out of them but I figured I'd just go with it. So, go check them out!

I Heart Fat Kitty

2008-01-03T19:25:00.001-08:00

I feel like I'm being a complete slacker, but I downloaded a bunch of pictures from my camera from the holidays and had to put up one of my favorites! Plus, I got a bunch of snuggle time with Dex while I was home (he loved to sleep curled up next to my legs at night) and I'm having withdrawals. Isn't he the cutest?! He enjoyed Christmas present time as much as we did. He loves wrapping paper and boxes.

I lovingly call him fat kitty because he has this wobbly bit from his getting fixed surgery. The size of this bit is directly related to the number of treats he gets. Anyway, you can't see it in this picture, but believe me it is there! Also, he worked himself in and among the paper. There was no staging for this picture! For you guys that don't go crazy over pets, I'm sure I'll be back to regular posting soon!

Ringing In The New

2008-01-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

The other day I posted a few of my thinks about the new year and my love/hate relationship with resolutions. I want to make some because I think they are constructive, but sometimes resolutions are a pain. So, I took (and with that I mean I borrowed, stole, and twisted) some advice from friends and fellow bloggers to help create the list below. Yes, it is in list form because I love making lists and I plan on printing this out so that today and next January 1 aren't the only times I look at it.

Now, for the part I stole. I found this quote over on my friend Bethany's blog and loved it! Mostly because more often than not most of my resolutions go by the way of the latter part of this quote.

"Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual." ~ Mark Twain

While I do think making a commitment to self-improvement is a good thing, I know realistically that I can't take this too seriously or I'll feel overwhelmed before I even begin. So, this year, instead of making resolutions I'm going to try setting goals that I'd like to accomplish or make significant progress on during the coming year. (I twisted the thoughts of Fin, Jacquie, and Tee to come up with this whole goal verses resolution thing...so thanks y'all for commenting!) Resolutions always strike me as things that you have to do and then not always because you want to do them. Goals sounds more maker-friendly. Plus, a goal is a positive thing to work toward. I also like the idea that a goal can be long or short term. Sometimes goals change, but as long as I continue to move in a forward direction I think achieving these goals will be a much easier task than trying to keep a resolution. Well, at least that is what I'm telling myself!

So, without further rambling...my 2008 goals:

1. Strive for the healthiest mind, body, and spirit possible! Yes, this is the realm of stretching my mind, weight-loss, exercise, and all things spiritual. I listed this as number one because it won't be an overnight change. Habits are often hard to change, but are usually worth the effort. I know this will be the one that will require the most dedication and I'm honest enough to realize that this one will also present me with the most temptations to give it up. I don't want to limit myself or set myself up for failure by placing a certain number of things, pounds, days at the gym, or daily quiet times on myself. I need for this goal to fit me...not the other way around!

2. Complete at least one scrapbook layout a month! For some this might seem silly, but I love to scrapbook. While I couldn't prove it from scrapbooks, I do love this hobby. It is important for me to get the big and small stuff that happens in my life down on paper. At one time I would have said this was one of my passions, and I hate to think that I let it go so easily. I'm going to inch back into this hobby and hopefully the thrill of a blank 12x12 will find me again!

3. Make one positive comment each week to the three people that irritate me to no end and make my work life pretty stressful. Okay, they don't do it all on their own. If I were a little more quick to forgive and forget and not so quick to get my feathers ruffled things might float along pretty peacefully. But, I know myself and those two things aren't likely to happen right away. I'm hoping that by finding a way to honestly (did you get that self...honestly and not facetiously)compliment or speak to them will help me in the long run relieve some of that tension and stress. I think there might be something to the killing them with kindness thing!

4. Encourage more. I'm going to encourage myself more this year. I find myself doubting my abilities in some areas and not reaching for dreams out of fear of failure. It is great to get support and strength from others, but I need to trust that inner voice that is cheering me on! Also, I'm going to encourage others. A handful of people that need encouragement have been laid on my heart. I love to send cheerful cards and little reminders that I'm here and I care about them. I'm just going to be much more diligent in doing it. It always amazes me when someone says just the right thing at just the right time and it totally makes my day. I want to give some of that amazement back!

As suggested, I'm keeping this list short. These four goals represent the areas of my life that I know would benefit the most from my efforts. Maybe every few months I'll dig this list out and re-evaluate and see how I'm doing. Baby steps...

And lastly, I want to start this year out by looking back and honestly seeing just how far I came last year (I'm completely borrowing this from Rae). Last year wasn't a perfect year for me and it had it's share of highs and lows. But, I made it through them all and even learned a thing or two along the way...which isn't that what it is all about!

I won't like everyone and not everyone will like me. But, I can find common and respectful ground to stand on with those people. I keep thinking about a song that says something to the fact that you've got to bend or you'll break. Breaking isn't fun and bending allows some new flexibility into my life.

I traveled to Mexico and solidified my desire to travel and roam! One of the highlights this year was my cruise. I loved it. I learned that having to plan and save for something you really want is worth it. I discovered that just maybe I'll be fine traveling alone. And I'm dreaming bigger about where I want to go next!

I stretched some of my personal envelopes. I've tried a few things I thought I'd never be able to do and found that I actually like that pushing. I'm taking those few baby steps I made last year in this area of my life and I'm going to keep stepping forward.

So, I've looked back and reflected. I've looked forward and set some goals. Now...bring on the year!

Sin On Wheels

2007-12-30T15:26:00.001-08:00

I was out shopping today (I really was on the look out for something to be a gift for someone else) and I stumbled across this journal in the bottom of a sale bin at Books-A-Million. The more I looked at it the more I knew this $3 gem was coming home with me. I would assume that like most people I have a side that is a litter darker and naughtier than what you see and read on here. Maybe that is why a book where the woman on the front is a whisper away from being exposed and reads on the back, "...a journal that challenges you to be as bad as you can be on its virgin pages..." appeals to me.

Anyway, when I showed it to my mom (who made the appropriate humph sound and said my name in a way I know means she can't believe I bought that but then again she can totally believe a I bought that) she was quick to say, "What if you died and as we were going through your stuff we found a journal that said sin on wheels?" Well, I would imagine it would be quite an eye-opener! Take that to mean what you will.

The instructions say that I should unleash the raw passion of my life's lusty saga - the penetrating insights, the naked truths, the seminal events, and the graphic, gritty details of every betrayal, revenge, and triumph. While I'm sure my life has some of all of these things, I don't know if I'll be rushing off to record them all in this book. I've discovered that I have some memories and thoughts that belong to me alone. Though I have a feeling some of those would be the stuff this journal was created for. Besides, if I spill my guts in there what would I have left for here?!

This journal is based on a book so I think I'll look online and see if I can find it and order it. A book titled Sin on Wheels probably doesn't fall in my "grown up" reading list criteria, but I still have a love for the down and dirty romance. Who knows...it just might earn a spot on the side bar!

***I checked online last night and could only find two listings for this book on Amazon. The first was $60 and the second was $35. So, Unless I can find this at the public library I won't be reading it. Also, I did discover in my search that this is one of four pulp journals along this line. Those were ranging anywhere from $8 - $22 online so I got a deal on mine!***

Make 'Em To Break 'Em

2007-12-28T09:35:00.000-08:00

This morning I spent several minutes going back and looking at the posts I wrote last year about this time. Does anyone else ever do that? Sometimes I find that it is a great measuring stick to see what was stressing me, making me happy, driving me nutty, turning me on a year ago. A few things have stayed the same and somethings have been resolved. Either way it is nice to look back at where I've been.

Which brings me to the point of where I'm going. New Year's resolutions have been on my mind lately. Last year I made the standard I'll-lose-some-pounds and exercise-is-my-friend type resolutions, but I made a lot of fluff ones too. I went back this morning and took a closer look. I'm still not sure if I should say sadly, but more were broken resolutions than ones that were kept. Which makes me wonder...will I be setting myself up for failure if I make a whole new batch of them this year?

I feel a need for change this coming year. I need to change some things professionally and some things personally. And I want to make a commitment and stick to it as well. Luckily I have a few more days to ponder what sort of things I want to write down as my big goals for 2008. And even if I can't keep them all and some might be just fluff I'm pretty sure I'll write them down. It's like taking the first step and I'm expecting that 2008 will be a year of a lot of first steps.

Technologically...Challenged

2007-12-27T18:53:00.000-08:00

Either I was a very good girl this year or Santa just went overboard. I have a feeling that it was the latter! Anyway, I raked in the goodies. (Yes, I know Christmas isn't about the presents, but rather spending time with family and loved ones. And our family had a lot of prayers answered the last few days so I have a very thankful heart and enjoyed the time of resting and relaxation! But for the purposes of this post, I'm going to focus on the goodies part...forgive me.)

Now, I'm sure this doesn't come as a surprise to many, but I'm challenged in many areas. One of the biggest happens to be in the area of technology. Yes, I admit it. I'm technologically challenged. I enjoy the places I can go and the things I can do with technology, but I do not understand it for anything.

During the last few days before school let out, my kids were asking me what I'd be asking Santa for in the way of presents. I admitted that I really wanted an MP3 player. One of my darlings announced, rather loudly, that he already had an MP3 player. I'm sure he knows how to work it and all too. Anyway, I wanted one and I planted enough seeds in Santa's mind to know that this would most likely be among the presents under the tree. You know, asking for something you want and then knowing what to do with it when you get it are two totally different things.

Yes, I got an MP3 player. No, I didn't know what to do next with it. I carefully read the instructions that came with it, but they were very limited. I'm sure that the instructions writer assumed that I would probably know how to download music from the Internet to my computer so he would only need to tell me how to get it from my computer to this device. Oh, he needs to talk to my Papa about assuming. (My Papa taught me the valuable lesson about what assuming does for you...) Well, I was already confused and I hadn't even touched the computer. My mom (which bless her has more patience than I, but knows just about as much as I do when it comes to this MP3 stuff) said that she would help me.

Trying to get as much information as I possibly could, I called a friend for some pre-attempt advice. I'd heard a lot about itunes and assumed (maybe I should have listened to that advice a little harder too) that it would be what I'd need. Let me say right here that I did not get an ipod. Also, let me say that if you own something other than ipod you can not download music to it from itunes. And if you can, please don't enlighten me as my brain can only hold so much information and that just might send it into brain failure!

Anyway, after several hours of impatient huffs and resisting the urge to toss my new MP3 player out of the window I believe I have the downloading of music part down. Thank God! I'm now sort of up-to-date with the rest of society! If you've got a favorite song please leave me a comment. I'm in the market for songs these days!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-21T17:22:00.000-08:00

I just want to wish everyone that wanders by a Merry Christmas! Also, a wonderful New Year if you've come around after the Christmas rush. I'm going home tomorrow for some much needed rest and relaxation surrounded by family. It never ceases to amaze me the comfort that can come to your soul when it comes from someone that loves you...warts and all. Below is an updated picture of my tree...this time surrounded by presents!

Also, here is another questionnaire thingy. It is a little bit different than the normal type. Thanks Becky for letting me steal! If you make it all the way to the end (read this is a long one!) then extra brownie points to you!

1. I have come to realize that my butt:
will always be more round than any other part of my body. And heaven help any daughters I have...it is in the genes!

2. I have come to realize that when I talk:
not everyone likes or cares what I have to say. And I'm becoming more okay with that.

4. I have come to realize that I need:
to forgive and forget and move on.

5. I have come to realize that I lost:
my ability to trust easily. I trust my family, but there are very few others that I completely trust. How did that happen?

6. I have come to realize that I hate it when:
laundry day rolls around and then I hate when I realize laundry day will always come around...unless I turn nudist (which some days sounds pretty darn good!)

8. I have come to realize that marriage:
isn't exactly what I thought it was...

9. I have come to realize that work:
(Becky, I'm stealing this because it is so true!) Is just that, work...not your life and sometimes you have to just leave it there on the desk (the messy desk) and shut the door and come home.

10. I have come to realize that I will always be:
considered plus size but that will not define or drive my life!

11. I have come to realize that I like:
moving my body to the beat (even if it is a beat only I can hear)

12. I have come to realize that the last time I cried:
was over someone that shouldn't be worth the tears

13. I have come to realize that my cell phone is:
completely out of date...seriously I need a new phone!

15. I have come to realize that before I go to sleep at night:
I turn on my right side and snuggle my back up to my body pillow

16. I am currently thinking about:
how I should be wrapping, doing a load of laundry (not going nudist anytime this year...), packing, and cooking a lemon cake

17. I have come to realize that babies:
are sweet and fun to cuddle with and nice to hand back to their parents...I'm not ready for them yet.

18. I have come to realize that when I get on Myspace:
it has been an incredibly long time since I was last on there.

19. I have come to realize that today I will:
be thankful that I have a today to enjoy.

20. I have come to realize that tonight I will:
get to drool over Mick St. John!

21. I have come to realize that tomorrow I will:
not be ruled by the alarm clock! I will sleep until I wake up and then head to the family compound for Christmas!

22. I have come to realize that I really want to:
start scrapping again on a regular basis!

24. I have come to realize that true friends:
are a rare find that should be treasured and not taken for granted.

25. I have come to realize that the person who might repost this is:
Valerie because she loves me and wants to follow in my footprints! Well, I'm sure it is something like that...

26. What bill do you hate paying the most?
All of them! I hate them all equally.

27. Where's the best place to eat a romantic dinner?
Curled up on the couch together with Chinese and a couple of chopsticks.

28. Name of your first grade teacher?
Ohmygoodness...I don't remember. Mrs. Thomas maybe???

29. What do you really want to be doing right now?
This isn't that kind of blog...

30. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
In charge...

31. How many colleges did you attend?
One - go Midwestern! (Well, two if you count Algebra and Speech at the local junior college.)

32. Why did you wear the shirt that you have on right now?
It matches the pajama bottoms and it is super soft!

33. GAS PRICES First thought?
Dang...I forgot to gas up while I was out running around this afternoon. I guess I'll have to do it on my way out of town.

34. If you could visit anywhere and take someone with you...
Scotland (thanks to all those Highland romances) and I'd take my crush (well, if he'd be willing to go...)

35. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
I'm sure something like, "Crap...already?"

36. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
Don't forget the fruit....which I totally forgot this morning.

37. What errand/chore do you despise?
L.A.U.N.D.R.Y....seriously are there maids that only do laundry?!

38. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer at an art gallery?
Uh...no, probably not. I don't really get art.

39. Get up early or sleep in?
Sleep in if at all possible!

40. What is your favorite cartoon character?
I'm not sure...I liked watching The Gummy Bears

41. Are you planning on remaining in your current field?
Ahh...the hundred thousand dollar question...

42. Do you see yourself married in the next five years?
Yes

43. Your favorite lunch meat?
roast beef

44.What do you get every time you go into a WalMart?
A new book to read or a card to send someone.

45.Beach or lake?
Up until this summer I would have said lake, but after Mexico I'll always say the beach!

46. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
Not exactly...I like what it says about two people making a commitment.

47.TV show you miss?
Touched By An Angel

48. Favorite guilty pleasure?
Oh it is hard to narrow it down to just one! My top few....venti caramel apple cider from Starbucks, a steamy romance novel, and panties (I know that one sounds strange, but I'm a believer that panties can make you feel sexy, confident, or pretty. My favorite pair...white cotton hipsters with pink and purple hearts.)

49. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about?
Quills

50. What's your drink?
Barq's Rootbeer

51. Cowboys or Indians?
Cowboys

52. Cops or Robbers?
Robbers...something about being the bad girl

53. Do you cheer for the bad guy in a movie?
Sometimes...depends on how much I can identify with the character.

54. What Hollywood star do you think resembles you best?
I don't know...I don't think about it very much.

55. What do you want when you are sick?
My mama

56. Who from high school would you like to run into?
Monica...

57. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?
89.3 KSBJ (It's 24/7 Christmas music right now!)

58. Worst mistake that you wish you could take back?
Jason...enough said.

59. Do you like the person who sits directly across from you at work?
Well, if you read the last post you should know! I'm directly across the hall from B. I do like her, but I do disagree with her on some things (mainly right now on how you talk to people).

60. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
George W. Bush...are you really as ignorant as the media makes you out to be?

61. What is the best gift you have ever received?
Unconditional love from my parents...it has taken my places and allowed me to go and find my own way in this world. That is the best gift I could have ever been given.

62. Have you ever had to use a firearm?
No...but I want to. I mean I want to get my handgun license.

63. Last book you read?
gods in Alabama (see sidebar...great book!)

64, Do you have a teddy bear?
No. I used to have one named Henry with a band-aid on its tummy...it was a gift after my diagnosis of GERD. He was my favorite!

65. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth?
This is the strangest question...I guess outside a tent in Big Bend National Park

67. Somewhere in California you've never been and would like to go?
Huh...Sacramento. I hear they have some amazing hogs. :)

68. Number of texts in a day?
2-3

68. If you had to choose- would you start a new career or relationship?
Relationship

69. Favorite Winter Olympic Sport?
Ice skating

70. Pencil or pen?
Pen...preferably a felt tip

71. Ancient Egyptians or Mayans?
Egyptians

72. How many jobs have you had?
I'm on my 11th...hmm I wonder what that says about me as an employee?!

73. Are you where you thought you would be at this age?
Not exactly...

Now, if you've read this far you deserve a stretch break! Come on...steal if you have the stamina to complete it.

What To Call This...

2007-12-18T16:54:00.000-08:00

***Disclaimer: This isn't a post to put anyone in a good mood. If you're on a happy high, well...first I envy the hell out of you right this minute, but you might want to stop reading. This post will be filled with self-doubt and probably a smidgen of self-pity thrown in. Read at your own risk.***

Today was not one of my better days. Being out yesterday really threw me off. This week is packed with activities and programs along with all the learning still expected to take place. Also, my being out was unexpected so my desk wasn't ready for a sub to sit down at and the meticulous plans that I normally leave were no where to be found. I have an emergency folder, but it is basically busy work. Anyway, yesterday the teacher that normally helps out my sub did what she could to keep things rolling. Also, another teacher tossed out a few ideas too. And this is the root of the whole problem.

When I'm out I want my sub to maintain my kids where they are...not introduce and teach them more. I'm sure some teachers reading this will completely disagree and some will understand exactly what I'm talking about here. I truly believe that it is a personal preference and doesn't mean that I'm a horrible teacher.

Just to keep things as clear as possible, lets say that K is the teacher I want helping my sub and kids the most and B is the other one. It is also fair to say that B and I don't share the same philosophy when it comes to subs and teaching. She instructed the sub to introduce a new topic and to do guided reading with my kids. These are two things that I would never ask a sub to do. K knew this. Yesterday wasn't the best day for my kids or for the sub. I'm not saying the sub did a bad job teaching, but he did things very differently from me and two people today told me that he was teaching an important concept wrong.

This is the part that I handled badly. I believe that when you are wrong you should say it, apologize, and move on. When I found out B was the one who asked him to do these things I became frustrated. There is a lot of background that I won't get into, but I wish she'd just let K handle things. When I saw her I snapped at her. She was being nothing but friendly this morning. She asked me what I was doing (and at the time I was putting treats in teachers' boxes) and I waved my hand in a dismissive gesture and said, "Passing things out." Yes, I snapped at her for something very minor. As soon as I did it, I regretted it and knew that it had probably hurt her feelings. I also knew she was pissed at me so I thought I'd let it go for a while and talk to her at the end of the day.

This afternoon I knew that I needed to apologize for my behavior this morning, but I also needed to talk to her and explain why I was upset about what she'd told the sub to do. I apologized and probably wasn't as appreciative of the fact that she was trying to help. Well, she let me have it when it was her turn to talk. I'm sure I deserved to hear that I need to think before I speak and probably that I should just be appreciative that someone was looking out for my kids in my absence. What I wasn't prepared for was her attack on my character, commitment to teaching, and professionalism. It hurts just having those words playing in my head so I'm not sure I can put them all down in writing. Besides, what if they are all true and then you fine people will know some horrible truth about me.

Apparently, I rub on her last nerve as much as she rubs on mine. This was the perfect opportunity for her to let me have it. I'm sure she felt justified. Either way, I really didn't do much except stand there and take it. Well, I shouldn't say that I took it all...I did fire back a few choice words. And then that just seemed to add credit to her assault. Anyway, when I left I was near tears and I'm not sure what she felt exactly. Back in my room, I was waging an internal battle. On one hand, I knew that the hurtful things she said were not all true. Actually very little of what she said was true, but it hurt all the same. Then on the other hand, I was filled with a lot of self-doubt. What if what she said was really true and I'm just in denial about it? This is a time when one of those compliment jars would come in so handy!

So, tomorrow morning at 7:30 I have to walk into our weekly team meeting and start to try and alter some of these perceptions she has of me. I can only keep in mind that tomorrow is a new day...or so they say. I know that I have things I can do to send more peaceful thoughts down our hallway, but we all do. As K said, it is time to kill her with kindness (even if I think at the moment that might kill me!).

Grown Up Reading

2007-12-17T09:41:00.000-08:00

This weekend was a busy one and somewhere along the way I think my body said, "Enough!". I woke up this morning (though seriously is 2am really the morning or the dead of night...anyway) feeling pretty sick at my stomach, congested, and I was running a fever. I think the snot running down my throat was causing the upset stomach. That part is feeling much better now that I've put some toast in there too. So far the fever hasn't let up. Hopefully, the Advil will kick that in the butt ASAP. This is not the week for me to miss school.

Normally I give one of the other teachers a really hard time because she is constantly worrying over her class when she it out. And she's been out a lot this half of the year. Anyway, when I'm out I usually know ahead of time. I leave detailed plans and make sure everything is ready so I feel okay knowing that my kids are in good hands. Well, today that didn't happen. I wasn't planning on being gone so my desk is a mess and there are no plans. I've thought about my kids a bunch this morning. I hope they are fairing okay!

As for me, I'm resting (well, along with doing a little Christmas wrapping and laundry) and reading. Which brings me to the title of my post. If you read any meme that I've done you know that I really enjoy settling down with a romance book. They are pretty predictable and probably don't resemble real life in any way, but I still enjoy them. Lately, I've thought that maybe I should read a little more grown-up material. You know...a novel versus a romance story.

So, in this spirit I picked up a new book this weekend. I bought gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson. So far it has been a surprisingly good read. The heroine is dealing with addictions, trying to keep secrets buried, and realizing the power of facing the demons and being free. I can oddly identify with her. Finding a connection with characters in a story is the major part of what makes a book good right?! Anyway, my goal is to read one "grown-up" book a month (there is no way I can completely go cold turkey from romance) and do a sort of book blurb in my sidebar under the what is on my nightstand section. And if you are in the mood for a good romance check out the one that is already over there. It is one of my absolute favorites!

Happy reading!

Don't Want To

2007-12-14T20:20:00.000-08:00

The hardest part of kicking a habit is wanting to...we get addicted for a reason right?

Terrific Flops

2007-12-12T15:58:00.000-08:00

Ever had one of those things where everything you touched flopped? I was pretty sure this was going to be my lot yesterday as I was getting ready for Bunco. December was my month to host which means I'm in charge of the meal. I picked items I thought were going to be easy to make. Oh, they normally are, but come on...it is me and the kitchen. By the way, would these kitchen adventures be as much fun to read about if everything I cooked came out right?!

It started with the pralines. I don't really make a lot of candy so I'm not really "in the know" about things related to candy making. To my mom's credit she did warn me to make it on a day with the smallest percentage of humidity. Well, it was getting down to the wire and I didn't have much of a choice. I made it on a day with 85% humidity. Well, it never set...ever. I was pretty sure this was going to be a huge flop. After some quick thinking, I decided to buy some premium ice cream and melt the candy to use as a topping. I confided to one person that it started out as a flop. After one bite, she suggested that I keep that flop business to myself and just say I meant for it to be an ice cream topping. I did...and everyone wanted the recipe to my wonderful praline sauce. So, on one hand the terrific part is that the pralines were still a wonderful dessert. On the other hand the flop part is that now I have to explain that it was a flop and I don't know how to make it sauce. I just sort of lucked into it.

My next dish was a corn casserole. I've made this numerous times before but in the original recipe. Last night I needed to double it. Doubling a recipe isn't normally hard, but this one was tricky. I couldn't remember if I was supposed to double everything but the oil or not. That casserole had one cup of oil in it. Doesn't that just sound wrong?! Anyway, I cooked it and when I took it out it was nice and brown on top. And a little bit shiny. I had to pat it down with paper towels to get some of that extra oil out. So, now I know...do not double the oil. Thankfully, when everyone ate it last night it tasted fine. Hopefully no one woke up with clogged arteries!

After those two things I was beginning to think that I'd made a huge mistake saying I'd cook. The last thing I needed to make was the taco casserole. Normally, I'd think how can someone possibly mess up meat, cheese, and tortillas. But seriously people...I don't have the best track record here. I started to gather up the ingredients and discovered that I had forgotten to set the meat into the fridge the night before. All my meat was frozen! I quickly defrosted it in the sink with hot water. So, finally the meat was done and I was ready to layer. Only problem...I ran out of cheese. Let me just say that I did stop at the store and grab some cheese so the casserole turned out fine. Actually, everyone loved it! It would have been terrific if I'd remembered to grab the lettuce and tomatoes that were supposed to go on top. Now, I currently have two bags of shredded lettuce and three tomatoes. Well, salads are in right?!

Even though every single part of that meal could have been a disaster, everything turned out okay. I don't question it. I'm just in awe of it...my ability to have the most terrific of flops!

Bits And Pieces

2007-12-08T06:04:00.000-08:00

Though I should really call this post "It Is All Lori's Fault!". I'm going to fill you in on all the little things that prompted the post below, but I thought I'd start with the big things first. So, again it is all Lori's fault! A few weeks ago, she was posting about having snake troubles at her house. I left a comment jokingly saying that I was going to have to stop reading her blog because I was scared this might somehow become something at my house. (Side note: Lori and I are surprisingly alike in a lot of ways so I figured it was only natural!) So, anyone making a guess about what I'm fixing to relate?! Let's all say it together...it is all Lori's fault! Yes, dear readers, I had an experience with a snake.

I usually work late on Fridays at school unless I have plans. I like getting settled for the next week without having to wag all that stuff home. Well, I didn't make it home until close to 7pm. It was already getting dark, but thankfully the porch light came on when I pulled up. (I just replaced the motion censor bulb...thank heavens!) I was busy looking for my keys as I started up the porch steps when I felt (yes...it slithered over my foot!) something go over the toe of my shoe (which were the full coverage running shoe type) and then I heard the slither sound. I continued up the steps thinking it was a lizard. I've had those before remember? Anyway, I turned to look because I was still hearing the slither. That is when I saw it. I stopped and just stared. I didn't scream except in my head. It stopped and tried to blend in with some leaves. I left it down there and hurried on into my house...where I promptly went hysterical.

I called my mom and reached her voicemail. I'm sure the message I left will be quite funny at some later point! Anyway, then I did the mad search of my house to make sure there weren't any in my house. As I flung back the shower curtain, cautiously peeked under the toilet lid, and felt up the foot of my bed I kept telling myself that there is no way that snakes can get into my house. Now before you try to educate me, I'd like to just say that I prefer ignorance people! My mom already explained the awful truth but let me just be blissfully ignorant okay?!

I've already peeked out on the porch and can't see anything amiss, but I can tell you that it will be a quick hop off the bottom step and run to my car when I go out later! Compared to that experience the rest of the week has been a piece of cake.

At work, our team had decided to do secret Santas instead of getting everyone on the team a present. I loved the idea! There is something about a lot of little holiday happiness gifts along the way. Anyway, our campus decided to do this too. I'm a giver so what can I say, I signed up for that one too! It probably isn't a secret but there is a small group of ladies at work that really work over my nerves and I had been hoping that I wouldn't draw one of their names. Wouldn't you know I did. I decided that God probably had a hand in that pick. I know that you can give without wanting to, but you lack that good feeling when you do. So, I decided to focus on the fact that I do enjoy giving and I'm going to proceed with holiday spirit. It also doesn't hurt that my secret Santa is fabulous! I've gotten two gifts this week that have been perfect (purple pens and a cooking magazine) and I had a thought that what if one of those ladies is being Santa for me. They are doing a great job and perhaps this is the season to just let those frustrations go. If you only knew how big of a decision that is for me...I'm not a let-it-go kind of girl by nature. So, it is true. Giving with a joyful heart feels pretty darn good!

Isn't it funny how you have the whole month of December to fill with holiday events, but they all seem to culminate in one week?! Here is what my calendar looks like for next week:
Monday: Wrap Bunco gifts (I'm the hostess this month...seriously what was I thinking when I agreed to that!)
Tuesday: Take off the afternoon to cook the meal for Bunco (another hostess responsibility) and get everything taken to Bunco location and set up.
Wednesday: Staff development (which probably means more work dumped in my lap if I go by previous staff development days)
Thursday: Christmas concert
Friday: Work Christmas party (except without the happy hour out with the girls unlike last year. It made it more fun, but I'm sure it played a part in myself getting up for the Christmas carol singing game...)
Saturday: Another Christmas concert and then a sleepover in Houston

Throw in some holiday baking and present wrapping and the week is incredibly full. I've felt a little bad because I haven't been reading and commenting like I normally do, but it seems like everyone is busy this time of year. Last night I made the commenting rounds and I'm glad to read that most of you are enjoying the holiday season! As crazy as this time of year is, it is still one of my absolute favorites!

No Kidding...

2007-12-06T17:49:00.000-08:00

There are no words at the moment. Just one busy life...all parts of my life. Every time I get overwhelmed I simply look at this and I feel a tad bit better!

Done Decking

2007-12-03T15:48:00.001-08:00

I've decked my halls as much as I'm going to for this year. I've got the boxes put back in the closet and now I can just enjoy all the festive-ness around here. I didn't take pictures of everything because seriously who wants to look at it all?!

Here is my tree! You can't really tell from this picture, but the lights are really twinkly. I love my ornaments and the memories they bring me and I love my tree!

Please ignore the speakers... This is my pride and joy when it comes to Christmas decorations. I have this thing for Willow Tree angels (they are so beautiful!) and I love nativities. My parents gave me this nativity a couple of years ago for my birthday. I promptly broke one of the wisemen's head off but you'd never know now. Thank goodness for super glue! Anyway, I love this (even with the speakers)!

Last weekend I went to a local tradition here...Journey Through Bethlehem. Several local churches get together and put on a live pageant type thing of the nativity story. It was a lot of fun! There were a lot of animals to pet (I got up close and personal with a llama!) and things to taste. I even got to participate in a Jewish wedding dance. I know that Christmas isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I really enjoy the season. I had a great time at this and I think there are a couple of other Christmas story type things going on here in town that I'll go to before the end of the month. It all helps keep me focused on what is important to me about the season!

Holiday Cheer

2007-11-29T15:35:00.000-08:00

I haven't done a questionnaire thingy in a while and how many different ways can you say work and a sore throat make me feel like crap? Seriously! So, I'm shaking off that work stress and nursing my sore throat (the Rocky Road is totally for medicinal purposes) and getting in touch with the cheer that comes from the spirit of the season!

Don't be a Scrooge...play along.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper unless I absolutely can't help it. I have this unusual thing for paper and tape!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial

3. When do you put up the tree? Well, this was only my second year to do it, but both times I've put the tree up Thanksgiving weekend. It was nice this year that Thanksgiving fell early in the month so I get an extra week to enjoy the decorated tree!

4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime in January...usually before I have to go back to school.

5. Do you like eggnog? Ick...no.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I'd have to say my play kitchen. My Papa made if for me. It came with a fridge, sink, pantry, and stove. Plus I had all the play plates and food. How fun! Funny, you'd think with a kitchen as a kid I'd have more kitchen skills. Anyway, I spent many hours with that thing. It is in storage for when I have a little chef of my own.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, nativities are one of my favorite Christmas decorations. I love Willow Tree Angels and my parents bought me the Willow Tree nativity. It is beautiful!

8. Hardest person to buy for? Daddy

9. Easiest person to buy for? Mama

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? Hmm, well nothing sticks out right at this minute. Last year at the work Christmas party I did get some horrible Valentine white and red hearts as ornaments. That was a white elephant gift so it might not count.

11. Mail or email Christmas card? Oh, y'all...you know I love mail happiness so of course I mail out Christmas cards. But, there are some people that I have to send e-cards to for the holiday. Some of you fine folks are on the e-card list, but if you want to be on the actual card list just send me your address! I'd love to send you some mail happiness!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Unlikely Angel

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? December 26 (What?! I shop all year long. That is half the fun for a shopaholic!)

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Probably...but only because I know someone else would enjoy it more. That is buyable right?!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Anything out on snack day! In our family we have a day that is the snack day. We put out finger food type things and just snack...all day long. As kids, my Mimi would put out this little plastic tree with sausage, cheese, and olives on it. She'd turn around and we'd have everything off it! It's just a tradition in our family.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Multi-colored lights on the tree. If they flash and sparkle even better! I have this adorable little bear that looks like he is playing the piano. When you push his hat the lights dance to the tune of Christmas carols. Love that little guy...makes the tree so pretty!

17. Favorite Christmas song? O Come All Ye Faithful

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I travel. Usually to my parents and then to my grandparents. I have no idea what I'll do when I'm married and have to share the holiday with another family.

19. Can you name Santa's reindeers? On Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Rudolph, Visa, Master Card...oh wait. Uh...I guess not.

20. Do you have an Angel on top or a star? I have a star on top and then the first ornament under the star is an angel.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve is for presents from family. Christmas morning is for stockings and Santa gifts.

22. Most annoying thing(s) about this time of year? Long lines at the stores and being over committed for holiday parties.

All Things Pajamas

2007-11-27T17:07:00.000-08:00

Let me begin by thanking all of you for the well wishes. I'm not feeling one hundred percent, but I don't feel like crawling into bed and dying either! I so wish I could call in for a sick day, but most people simply do not understand how horrible it is when you do. Quick (promise) side rant about work: most of the time when you get a sub they move the sub to another spot and your kids get split. That is good on one had because you know your kids will continue to learn with your fellow teachers. On the other hand, your fellow teachers have three to five extra kids in their rooms that they were not expecting. I don't want to put them through that unless I absolutely have to. I don't absolutely have to right now. Anyway, thanks for thinking of me!

Now, onto the reason for such a strange title. I have had two somewhat strange dealings with pajamas in the last few days. As y'all know, I love Christmas time! I managed to get my tree up and decorated on Sunday amid feeling yucky. I have several other things up around the living room, but I still have about two boxes I need to unpack. (I have some pictures and I'll post those soon.) Well, one of my favorite things about my house is that I have two rows of windows in the living room. I put my tree in front of the last window and open the blinds so anyone passing by can see my tree. Yes, I'm vain that way. I quickly discovered that if you have the blinds open that means skimpy pajamas are out. I'll let your imagination work overtime as to how I made that discovery. Let's just say, it's flannel pj bottoms and full coverage tops for the rest of the holiday season.

The more recent run in with pajama talk was when one of my little kids asked me if I slept in pajamas. The thought quickly passed through my mind if he'd been down my street the night before. I assured him that I did sleep in pajamas. I tried to quickly move on to another topic, but he wasn't ready to leave this topic. He then went on to explain that he slept in his underwear so when it came time for Christmas morning he just ran out to open his presents in his undies. Sometimes the things these kids want to share just tickles my funny bone!

Now, I'm off to get into those decent pajamas and settle in for the night.

Sniffle Snuffle Hack Hack

2007-11-26T16:00:00.000-08:00

Let me preface this by saying that when it comes to being sick I'm just as bad (if not worse...eek that hurt to type!) as a man. When I don't feel well I want people to know about it. I mean, if misery loves company than when I'm miserable I want company. I usually prefer my mom when I'm sick, but she's 400 miles away so I have to make do on my own. Which sucks.

I feel like crap. Not your ordinary crap though. The kind of crap you step in, then beat your shoe on the porch to knock off the worst, and then you scrub in the grass to get the last bit off. That kind of crap.

Remember that sore throat and headache I'd mentioned before? Well, it hasn't gotten better. As a matter of fact it has gotten worse. I spent a pretty miserable night last night. Isn't it funny how a sore throat can make everything else feel worse? My stomach hurts (probably because when I swallow I want to gag), my nose hurts (from all the blowing...which has gotten to be painful as the hairs have decided to booger up), and I have a headache that won't quit. If I thought cutting off my head at the collarbone would help I'd do it!

At work we had this important meeting and my desk was a complete mess so I knew I could only call in sick if I were dead. I took a small drugstore in my purse and went off to work. Thankfully, my kids took pity on me today and were relatively quiet and so well behaved. Lunch was interesting. It turned out to be pretty hard to chew with my mouth closed when I couldn't breathe out of my nose. I spent thirty minutes with a napkin held in front of my face. Luckily for me, this whatever-the-heck-it-is has been going around so everyone understood. I'm not feeling worse (even though I'm not feeling much better either) so I still plan to go to work tomorrow. I haven't had any fever and with all the stuff going around I keep thinking that if I can make it I should make it. What if I catch something else that is worse and I really need to be at home in bed?

So, there is my sad tale. Please send me feel better wishes and throat spray. I could use them both.

Frightful Weather

2007-11-24T15:22:00.000-08:00

Remember that holiday song, "Oh the weather outside is frightful..."? Well, the weather here is pretty darn frightful! All weekend long the temperatures have hovered around the forties. There was even snow on Thanksgiving in my hometown! We weren't there (we were at my grandparents' house) but according to the television there was 4-6 inches of the white stuff. I love that! What I'm not loving is all the wet and cold weather that followed me home today. It is currently 40 and the rain hasn't let up all afternoon. Now I know what you Northern readers are thinking...what a wimp. True, but remember that I'm from Texas! I say that like it explains so much.

Anyway, I had big plans of getting home early in the afternoon and getting a jump start on getting my Christmas decorations up. Unfortunately, I've pushed that back until tomorrow. Getting to sleep last night was a chore and staying that way was even harder. Plus, the wet weather has brought on a runny nose and sore throat. When I got home I crawled under the heavy covers and took a nice long nap. I'm still excited about getting my tree put up and decorations out, but I think I'll just start fresh tomorrow.

Thanksgiving was great! The food was plentiful and delicious. I even snagged a Glad container of dressing to bring home! But, of course it wouldn't be a holiday without a little misadventure in the kitchen. In my family, my Mimi, Mom, and I are the only ones that like sweet potatoes. I volunteered to get them ready for the oven. I know how to smash and stir in ingredients. I just wasn't too sure about the recipe. I added some of this and some of that and covered them with mini marshmallows. Sounds fine right? Something terrible happened in the oven. When we pulled them out, the marshmallows were a little too brown and the potatoes were a horrible sludge brownish black. Not wanting to write them off completely, I tried them. The tasted great, but boy were they terrible to look at! My Mimi said, "Steffany your potatoes look like heck!" and that was the nicest thing that was said! I'm still puzzled by what went so wrong, but even if they weren't the most eye catching thing on the table at least they tasted okay!

I hope that everyone had a Thanksgiving that was just as wonderful as mine turned out to be!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-20T15:51:00.000-08:00

The holiday has officially started! I'm very much looking forward to going and visiting with family. After sleeping late, making my famous pineapple pepper cheese ball (seriously y'all...it's wonderful!), and packing I'm heading out. Everyone on my mom's side of the family will be there for the holiday. That is pretty amazing that all of us can still get together and bond over food and multiple games of hand and foot. When I talked to my mom this weekend, she told me to be sure and bring some of those plastic leftover containers. I love that!

Sounds crazy I know, but leftover containers mean that there will be leftovers. I'm hoping for extra dressing. In our family, dressing is an art. Those dried mini squares that come in a box are not dressing. Like I said, dressing is an art. I wonder if it is a Southern thing? Anyway, dressing is what I'm hoping to bring home! Even if there isn't any left, there will still be a bunch of leftovers to choose from. Now I know this will sound twisted, but I love that we're going to have leftovers. I love that we know we're going to have leftovers.

Those leftovers mean that we didn't have just enough. It means that we had more than enough. A lot of families out there don't have enough...food, time, love. Just today one of my little kids at school told me that her lights went off last night and wouldn't come back on. Then she told me that her daddy said they were going to have to start sleeping at her grandmother's house. My heart broke for her and her family. I've been really blessed in my life. I try very hard not to take that for granted, but it is stories like that which really cause me to stop and count each and every blessing in my life. Even the small ones.

So, to all my friends (the here-in-the-real-world ones and the blog sphere ones) I hope you have many many leftovers this holiday!

The Review...Picture Style

2007-11-18T07:23:00.000-08:00

The other morning I started out the door to be greeted by this sight. I had a little "friend" trapped inside the screen on my front door. Thankfully I was on the glass side. I'm not sure exactly how he go in there, but he obviously found his way out because he wasn't there when I got home. Thankfully!

Thanks for all the words of luck on the whole paper making project! That whole day was crazy. I have fifteen kids in my class and one teacher was out (without a sub) so we had to split her class. There were five extra kids in my classroom that day too. If you're a teacher you probably know the difference one new child can make so you'll appreciate the fact that I had five extra! Anyway, I called the kids back in small groups and helped them press it through the screen. It was pretty messy, but the kids seemed to love it! And in the end, that is all that matters. They were pretty excited on Friday to actually see it dried and be able to take it home. This was the paper mush (it was soupy, cold, and kind of smelled). I was happy to dump it out Thursday afternoon!

I had my hands full just getting the kids to make their paper and lay it on the towels that I didn't bring out the camera, but this is what my trial run piece of paper looked like. It was a little thick at the bottom (paper after my own heart!) but it is paper nonetheless!

Yesterday, a bunch of friends and I went to the Texas Renaissance Festival. It was fun! It was pretty much like stepping back into another time. I wore jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt, but there were many there dressed in costume. I suppose they wanted to really get into the spirit of the day. Costumes ranged from the royality garb to a thong and much too small bra with chain metal hanging off it. Anyway, there were many shows to enjoy. My favorite was the jousting. Even if it is fake and the winner predetermined it was still fun! We happened to be sitting in England's section and guess what? Sir Thomas won!

Another show we saw was the Washer Women. It was pretty funny too. I loved this sign...made me think of my own laundry. Though I'd never say that laundry was fun clean or otherwise!

Disaster In The Making

2007-11-14T18:14:00.000-08:00

It isn't often that you know when disaster will be striking. I mean, who would want to know right?! Well, I know. It's happening tomorrow. Intrigued?

It all started on Monday. See, we're learning about natural resources this week in Science. I'm teaching these kiddos to appreciate and conserve things like soil, water, plants, air....those kind of things. I also happen to be one of those teachers that think Science is best hands on. I think this might be the start of the disaster.

Well, in the teacher's edition, there was this seemly simple six step "recipe" for making paper. It involves newspaper strips, big tub of water, and window screening. Well, I got the newspaper torn into strips Tuesday afternoon (fully expecting that the book was right and the mushing process would only take "a few hours") so we'd be ready to go this morning. Not long after I put the water into the tub I noticed a big water puddle on the table. What the heck? My big tub leaks? See, I'd like to think that an experienced teacher would say, "This is the sign of something not going right. Let's just scrap this idea."

My solution was to stick some rags under the tub and let it set overnight. I really thought it was just dripping from where I'd had it in the sink. Oh who am I kidding?! If I'd really thought that I wouldn't have put rags under it. Dang it I really wanted to make paper! Well, this morning I came in and all those rags were soaked, but more importantly...my paper was NOT mush. Those strips of newspaper were supposed to be disintegrated into paper "mush" pulp. I had wet newspaper strips. Did I mention that I do Science first thing in the morning?

So, I quickly came up with the idea of having a teachable moment and letting the kids know that sometimes things do not go as planned when doing experiments. And, I told them that they could help me speed up the process. I let them all get their hands deep into that wet newspaper and mulch it up. They loved it! The best part is that all that squishing pretty much turned it into gray mush. It appeared that my experiment was back on track.

This afternoon I went ahead and cut the window screening into pieces. The theory is to dip this screening into the mush and then press the water out leaving a thin layer of mush to dry and turn into paper. Learning from yesterday's little opps, I decided to try out this dipping thing. Well, good thing I did. First, this mush stuff is pretty darn soupy. And it's not exactly thin either...more lumpy. There is no way the kids are going to be able to press out all the water. Trying to salvage this, I folded the screen up and wrung it out. This worked...sorta. I'm kidding myself. This is going to be an absolute mess.

Right now, I'm thinking that instead of them each getting to make a sheet of paper we'll do some sort of table group thing. That way we only have to go through this process five times instead of 15 times. Did I mention that I only have 30 minutes to finish this up tomorrow morning? Oh, and when I thought it would be an awesome learning experience I invited the principal to come and see? And one other thing...my evaluation is due any day now.

Yep, disaster. Tomorrow morning. 8:00am. Wish me luck!

With A Thankful Heart

2007-11-12T16:01:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe, but there are only six school days left before the Thanksgiving holiday. I'm happy about that fact because first, it's a holiday and second, I'll get to spend several days with my family, and third, cornbread dressing and cranberry sauce. Also, I put up all the Christmas decorations that weekend too. It is hard for me to keep that excitement to a minimum! Anyway, since Thanksgiving is literally around the corner, I thought I'd take some time and reflect on some of the many things I'm thankful for in my life.

Family
I love my family...every last nutty one of them! Being an only child, I've always been close to my parents. Every memory I have of them is wrapped up in love. As I've gotten older I've come to appreciate more and more the wings my parents gave me. I know that my parents will support me (though not always the decision I'm making) and love me no matter what. That kind of love and support has allowed me to grow and find my own place in the world. For that I'll always be thankful. I know I don't say it enough, but I feel it all the same. I love my family!

Friends
This is a pretty corny saying, but friends really are the family you choose for yourself. (And y'all know how I feel about family!) I've always made friends easily. Along the way, I've discovered that those friendships most precious to me require the most work. That work has resulted in many long lasting friendships. I'm lucky to still have friendships with girls I met in Brownies in the first grade. I've also learned to appreciate the different aspects of friendships. There are those friendships made the "old fashion" way (like those from school or with co-workers) and then there are you guys...the "new fashion" way! If friends really are the family you pick for yourself then I've done some pretty darn good pickin'!

My Passport
I love pulling that little blue book out of the desk drawer and knowing that there are all sorts of possibilities there. I know the travel bug was partially passed from my parents, but they'd laugh at that! They loved to take day trips...no plan no certain destination in mind. I'd grab my pillow, a book, and music and grudgingly get in the backseat. Who would have thought that girl would grow up to want to explore everything in the world?! It is only fair to say that I still hate that "by the seat of your pants" kind of travel, but the going, seeing, and doing runs deep in my veins. For that sense of exploration, I'm grateful!

That Flaky Boss
In the short years that I've been part of the working set, I've only had two bosses that were major flakes. Don't get me wrong...you can love that flake but working for her is the pits. I'm not sure I'd use love to describe my current one, but I'm thankful for her all the same. Some days I can't see it, but I'm learning patience and perfecting the art of working with others. I've discovered that I'm not perfect (well which I already knew) but no one else is either. I'm sure somewhere down the road I'll appreciate the easy boss because I've learned to deal in a mature manner with the one that isn't so easy. The whole give and take is a growing thing for me. And growing is always a good thing, right?!

This 1970s Mobile Home
When I thought about my "first place" I never exactly envisioned this place. It's had its share of fixer upper moments but that has caused me to appreciate all the days when nothing goes wrong. And well all those times when wild life comes in for a visit have taught me that I can handle killing my own bugs. I don't like it and I still wish my daddy was close enough to yell for, but at least I don't scream and want to jump on the nearest piece of furniture. I've had a lot of good memories in this old place. I know I'll take them all with me when I moved to that place I have been envisioning!

The Crush
Oh the crush...if he only knew, right?! I enjoy that little something that happens when I think about him. It's still sweet and good. Anyway, though he probably doesn't have a clue I'm thankful for him. He helps me remember that you never know the possibilities that life will toss at you. Sometimes you just have to be brave and decide something is worth the effort...even if in the end it isn't how you thought it would be. Self, be brave!

Sudden Link
I know I know...y'all are rolling your eyes. Only I would be thankful for the cable company right?! Sometimes you just have to be thankful for the simple pleasures. Curling up on my bed or the love seat and watching something on TV is one of my favorite simple pleasures. Comfy pajamas, Sonic commercials, and the remote...what isn't to be thankful for?!

The list could go on for a very long time. I've been truly and well blessed in my life. So, I'm looking forward to this time of year with a thankful heart. A very thankful heart!

Shopping Safari

2007-11-10T13:06:00.001-08:00

Thursday I took a mental health day and went to the annual Houston Nutcracker Market. It is this huge Christmas arts, crafts, home decor show. So many pretties to see...so in the Christmas spirit now! I went with two great girls and we had a wonderful time. There was so much to see! I think it has already been decided that this will be something we do every year. Here are most of my finds. A few things will show up later, but they are Christmas presents and I can't give away the surprise!

I wish y'all's computers were scratch and sniff! On a recent therapy (of the retail variety) session I found these beautiful fall stems in a 75% off basket. I decided some scented pine cones would look great in the bowl. It turned into a great center piece for the coffee table! And did I mention they were scented?! Smells heavenly in here now!

I found this curved sign and I thought it would look great on the entertainment center with a nativity beside it. Hmm...maybe I'll have to snap again once the Christmas decorations go up!

This isn't the best picture, but I found these stars (this is the big one and I have two small ones that will look great after a coat of blue paint) that will fit my Americana living room theme perfectly!

Two of my more unusual finds from the Nutcracker Market were a spaghetti sauce and tea. I say unusual because I don't much care for either thing. But, when you have to wait in line for ten minutes to get a jar of this stuff you kind of have to buy a jar to see what all the fuss is about. Seriously, I think this sauce is the most popular thing from the Market! Also, I love cranberries and the sample was really good. It was sort of like tea flavored cranberry juice. I know...doesn't sound yummy from that description but it was!

Some Much Needed Time (Updated)

2007-11-06T17:19:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is Friday! Yea right?!

I'm taking Thursday off for some much needed me time. I need to relax my body and relax my mind for a while. So, I put in for a mental health day (my principal actually accepted that as a reason!) and my weekend will start a little bit early. You might be asking if I forgot about Friday, but that is parent conference day. So far I've only had a handful RSVP so that day won't be taxing at all. Therefore, it doesn't count on the whole school week.

I'm going to spend the night with a friend in the big city tomorrow night and then a fun-filled day relaxing. Sounds fun right?! Now don't be jealous...it isn't a good look for you!

***Y'all, I've never been to something quite like what I went to today. I had so much fun and my wallet didn't. LOL Anyway, I'm going to post some pictures of my finds later this weekend. I totally have retail therapy down!***

Crock Pot Chef

2007-11-05T16:29:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been eating out more. I know this comes from all the late nights at school and the need to just come home and do absolutely nothing mind bending. Anyway, all this eating out has but a strain on my budget and my rear. So, I committed myself to going back to cooking.

As y'all know, cooking is sort of an adventure for me. Normally I make stuff that can be popped into the microwave or nuked in the toaster oven. That stuff is easy and normally smoke alarm proof. Feeling a little daring, I decided to try some stuff that isn't in my normal routine.

Yesterday (you know when I had to kill time at Walmart because I forgot about time change...yeah I'm still bitter about getting up at normal time on a day I could actually sleep late) when I was at Walmart, I saw a small pork roast and thought, "Hey, that's not something I've tried before!" I thought it would be perfect in my crock pot I got in college. Side note...I've had that thing for about three years and have used it about that same amount of times. Anyway, I put that roast in my basket and grabbed some squash (a zucchini and a yellow squash), an onion, and some red potatoes. I just knew this was going to end tasty!

After getting all the groceries put away, I drug out the crock pot and dusted it off. I wasn't totally sure how I was supposed to put it all together, but I got my veggies cut up and in the crock pot. I was proud...I had a beautiful mix of red, green, and yellow. Colors equals healthy right?! Anyway, I put the roast on top and sprinkled on some onion soup mix. I wasn't sure how much water to add so I figured more is better. I put in a cup of water (which I now know should really be just a dab will do you) and turned it on. I was such a nerd...I kept checking on it every five minutes. Apparently a watched crock pot doesn't boil either! I finally left it alone and went on about my business...namely laundry.

Now, it wasn't perfect. The roast was a little bit dry (despite all the juice it was sitting in) and the veggies were a little mushy (thanks Mama...only carrots should go on the bottom) but there were no smoke alarms going off and it was pretty good. So, here is to more daring adventures in the kitchen!

Oh, and if you have any great crock pot recipes you'd like to share please pass them along in the comments!

Moments Of Dork-ness

2007-11-04T10:24:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had one of those moments when you absolutely were a dork? Well, I had one this morning. Even my mama, who loves me dearly, called me a goof ball. Let me stop right here...everyone is aware that last night was time change right? I know it now, but the fact escaped me earlier today.

I went to bed at a reasonable time last night. I knew I would have to get up and get a move on because I was going to meet my friend for church this morning. I rolled over and stared at the clock (which said 7:13am). This seemed like a ridiculously early time to get up on a weekend. I rolled over and tried to go back to sleep, but I was already awake. Darn. I finally crawled out about 7:30am (or so the clock said...lying little electronic device).

I went about my morning routine...wash my face, get grossed out by the over-grown-ness of my eyebrows, jump in the shower, you know, the usual. After my shower, I got back in bed and noticed that I had a text message waiting for me. Unfortunately, my friend picked up some nasty food poisoning and wouldn't be meeting me for church. I noticed that the text was received at 7:23am. I didn't remember hearing the beep but sometimes I miss it.

Now, I'd like to say that this was the point in which I remembered about time change. I could have had a nice laugh and gone back to bed, but nope. I continued getting ready for church...totally unaware. I was half way to church when it dawned on me that it was time change the night before. I was going to be an hour early to church. Darn...again.

About that time, I had a horrifying thought. It was the weekend and I had willingly gotten out of bed at 6:30am. Darn. Darn darn darn. Also, now I had some wacky time to kill. I didn't have enough time to make it worth going back home. I'd get there and have about ten minutes and then I'd need to leave again. I had too much time to just drive around for a little bit. I'm cheap and gas is expensive. So, what to do? I went to Walmart. I needed to buy groceries anyway.

So, blogger friends...learn from me. Go set your clocks back an hour!

And So It Begins!

2007-11-01T16:53:00.001-07:00

Christmas!

Seriously, I'm so excited about and ready for this holiday. I love this time of year. Everyone seems a little bit happier and even the hustle and bustle of the season is appealing. I was in Walgreens Wednesday morning (incredibly early because I forgot I was responsible for the cookies and milk for the activity that day) and they already had the Christmas trees up and decorated! I think I hummed Christmas carols all morning.

I do love this time of year, but it's not for the gift-getting. Well, I wouldn't be completely honest if I didn't admit to liking that part, but it isn't the main reason why I love this season. This season appeals to me because first it represents a huge part of my faith. The Christmas season always causes me to reflect upon the greatest gift ever given...Jesus. Also, this season is about family and loved ones. And in case you couldn't tell, I'm very much a family and loved one kind of girl.

Life is pretty stressful right now. Unfortunately for me, life isn't picky. It's spread the stress everywhere...work, family, my love life, my check book, and friends. Stress doesn't always mean bad stuff but it just means stress. Thankfully, Christmas shopping, Christmas wrapping, Christmas card writing, holiday baking (I know...who would have thought this girl would actually spend hours in the kitchen cooking!), holiday parties, and such take that stress right away. I'm so happy this season is beginning!

Now, if you'll excuse me...I'm feeling in the mood to make a Christmas gift list!

Happy Halloween

2007-10-31T16:16:00.001-07:00

One of my sweet kids brought me a little jack-o-lantern today for Halloween! Her parents had drawn a face on an orange for me and written Happy Halloween Ms. Stewart on the back. I thanked her for the cute jack-o-lantern and she quickly informed me that it was really just an orange. What a cute idea and it totally made my day! Gotta love sweet "homemade" gifts from kids!

Today was a half day staff development day. The kids went home at noon and the teachers went to a meeting. I know this is going to sound like a rant (and maybe it is just a little bit) but just bear with me. As a teacher, I'm already over-whelmed by all the paperwork that comes with teaching. There are so many things to do and assessments to give. I already feel that sometimes all that assessing gets in the way of actual teaching. Anyway, today more work was dumped in our laps. One teacher looked at me and said, "Is it too late to change careers?" I'm sure she was joking, but seriously...how many straws before the camel breaks?

All that said to just say that those sweet and thoughtful (and almost always simple) gifts from kids really brighten the days. I'd like to say I treasured it. Well, I did...right up until lunch. Tastiest jack-o-lantern I've ever eaten!

Hope everyone's Halloween is full of more treats than tricks!

The Gourd Life

2007-10-29T16:26:00.000-07:00

Well, I can officially say that gourds really aren't my thing. When I looked at the plethora of gourds on display I simply saw over grown potato looking things. But, some people obviously see a blank slate on which to develop their creativity. The final products were amazing! I gave in and bought a dipper gourd but so far I'm uninspired. I'm trying to think of what I can do to it paper crafting-wise. If anything sparks I'll show off my craftiness!

The family part of the weekend was good too, though some what awkward. This seems to just be the theme when we get together with my dad's family. No one wants this to happen, but it just some how does. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to visit with my parents and despite some of the bumps I enjoyed seeing my aunts again too.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, there were no flashers either!

It's All About The Gourds

2007-10-26T19:28:00.000-07:00

This week is done...thank you Lord! For some reason I thought not being a firsty would make life easier. Apparently not. It was "everything is due" day...grades, assessments, lesson plans, the works. I'm so ready for the weekend!

I'm heading out of town tomorrow morning. I'm meeting my parents and dad's sisters in Waco this weekend for a gourd festival. Seriously, I know. Gourds aren't really my thing, but maybe I'll learn something. Basically, I'm going to visit with family that I don't see very often (and oh yeah there is a story there about that) and a little bit because it's the middle of Fall and people should go to gourd type things right?!

I'm taking an open mind and my digital camera. Updates when I return home Sunday. I wonder if I'll see any gourds like this...

I think this dude is called The Flasher! This is even funnier because my very proper Mama sent me this in an email. LOL! Oh my, obscene squash.

Burn Baby Burn

2007-10-25T16:18:00.000-07:00

This week has been perfect...well as far as the weather is concerned. It's been very Fall-like. The temperatures have hovered right around 60-65. I love it! Winter is my favorite season. I enjoy the bundling up and cold noses. Unfortunately, living in Texas I don't get too many bundling up type days. So, I truly enjoy the days of Fall when the temperatures dip low enough to require using the sheet, blanket, and the comforter. I love pulling out the jackets and long sleeved shirts. I love it all!

One thing I don't love...turning the central heating and air to heat for the first time in the season. Monday was the start of particularly low nightly temperatures. When I got home Monday, I set the thermostat to 65 and waited. Nothing. I figured it would dip low enough to come on before I went to bed. It didn't. This week has been one stressful one at work so I had many other things on my mind than the heat. I crawled into bed early (bundled up in pajama bottoms, t-shirt, and socks) and thankfully fell right to sleep. Imagine my shock to wake up about an hour later to the smoke alarm going off!

I must sleep deep because when I'm startled awake I feel shaky and my stomach hurts. Anyway, I immediately smelled the air (couldn't smell smoke) and reached around in the bedside nightstand drawer for my glasses. I got those on and I couldn't see anything that looked like fire, but I could certainly hear the smoke alarm. In my house I have one above the bedroom door and another one above the spare bedroom door at the opposite end of the house. The one above my door wasn't going off. So, I wondered into the living room. Nothing seemed out of place...nothing even smelled burnt. I hit the lights and grabbed a pillow off the couch. I went to wave it in front of the smoke detector and nearly took out everything on the top shelf of my bookcase. Finally, I was able to wave enough air in front of the dumb thing to get it to shut up.

I peeked in the spare bedroom, but everything seemed to be in place. Then it dawned on me...the air had kicked in. Sure, it is warm air coming up out of the floor, but enough to set off the smoke detector?! I thought about yanking the battery out but decided I'd rather be safe (and jarred right out of bed) than sorry. Thankfully, it didn't go off again. I guess it was just the first-of-the-season stinky air thing.

And speaking of smoke detectors and fire safety, the local fire department came out to do some demonstrations for the kids this week at school. It's Red Ribbon Week (you know...let's all be drug and alcohol free) and this year we're focusing on making good choices. The firemen bring a ladder truck and a fire trailer so the kids can practice exiting a house safely. The kids got a kick out of the whole experience. They especially loved getting to jump out the window to safety!

Well, while the kids enjoyed the fire trailer, the teachers enjoyed the firemen. Most of them were older guys, but there was one guy that was so hot! (That sounds so high school...lol!) Of course that started the joking about "Well, you can light me on fire anytime you want if he's what is coming to put me out!" and "If I'm on fire I stop, drop, and he rolls on top of me!". You know...completely inappropriate stuff for school! Believe me, it was the perfect mood lightening moment. Did I mention we're pretty stressed out at school?

Anyway, I'm enjoying this touch of Fall to the max because it probably won't be around long. If you live where there are four distinct seasons, please enjoy some of the Fall and Winter temperatures and weather for me!