Since I have not blogged in the last month, due to Christmas, vacation, and all of the yearly seasonal hullabaloo, I figured that I would pop in and let you all know that I am still firmly planted above ground, and give you the quick rundown of the last 30 days or so.
* November's end brought a culmination to my Fall Quarter class, in which I received an "A." Thank goodness. As I told my professor, going back to school almost 20 years after the original college experience, I had something to prove to myself, and the "A" confirms that I'm where I should be, and deserve to be.
* Thanksgiving was nice, including seeing my brother and my soon-to-be sister in law. We had a wonderful meal, good conversation, and lots of laughter.
* The end of November also heralded my 17th wedding anniversary. I'm STILL surprised that Juggling Freak picked me, and even more grateful that he's managed to put up with me after 17 years.
* The beginning of December brought torrential rain to our area, which put a dismal, gloomy mood on everything until it lifted. The kids at school were stir-crazy due to no outside time, and we were all champing at the bit to get vacation started.
* Our higher-up muckety-mucks tell us right before Christmas Break what a dire financial strait we are in, and make decisions to cut costs wherever possible, leaving people to freak out about losing their jobs right before Christmas. No firm decisions are made about who, specifically, or what programs get the ax, but we know it's there, looming over us.
* School ends on the 18th of December, and everyone is relieved to have some break time coming.
* Offspring, Juggling Freak, and I spend Christmas Eve with my mother; Christmas morning at our own house; and head off to his mother's for Christmas Day lunch. Many presents were opened, and much joy was shared. We had steaks and baked potatoes at my mother's, and we went out for our traditional Japanese meal with his mother. (That particular tradition was begun because his mother can burn Jell-O, and we'd like NOT to spend the holidays sequestered near the Porcelain Throne.) Christmas also confirms that Offspring is, indeed, one spoiled child. Spoiled, but hopefully, not rotten.
* We make a quick blitz trip to TheCityOfMyBirth to see my father, uncle, and Grandmother. Grandma is 90 years old, and getting to the point where I worry about how many more Christmases with her we'll have. So, we go up for one night, and pop in on her to give her our best and let her know that we are thinking about her. My father takes us to dinner, and we all hatch plans for my brother's wedding in May. All other family is occupied, so no other meet-ups manage to happen. (All of my mother's family are located there as well -- uncles, aunts, and assorted cousins.)
* We return home yesterday, getting slowed down on I-95 South several times by absolutely nothing. This is frustrating and gives me a tension headache. I stripped all the linens off our beds, and we settle down for the night.
* On tap for today was a trip to the optometrist for JF. He's having trouble with night driving and it looks like his previous prescription is no longer cutting it. Turns out he needs bifocals, which he jokes makes him feel old. Heck, as long as he can see, I wouldn't care WHAT kind of glasses they are!
* My elbow has been bothering me for days -- I was diagnosed with epicondylitis about 8 or so months ago, and it hadn't bothered me much until last week. The pain has gotten steadily worse, and now I'm constantly hugging that arm to my side. Squeezing the nozzle to get gas yesterday was excruciating, so it's off to the doctor for me on Thursday. Oh, joy.
You're all caught up now. Any questions? There WILL be a quiz later, which will count for 35% of your grade, so ask now if you're unclear on anything. :)
Showing posts with label Here Be Bullets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Here Be Bullets. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
RBoC
Random Bullets of Crap:
-- Tomorrow is midterm. How the hell is it midterm already?!? I'm not really cramming this quarter because I feel a lot more sure with the subject matter. So far, my GPA is a 90.87, which I'm pretty happy with. I am wondering what tomorrow's midterm will hold, but since we take our exams through Blackboard, I will be able to see my score as soon as I submit the exam. So, I'll either be happy tomorrow evening, or totally bummed.
-- School (the other school -- the one I get paid to go to...) is going pretty well. Or, well -- I should say it's going well in MY case, though how others around me are feeling, I have no idea. The last two years have taught me that I no longer have the capacity to judge what "they" might be feeling one way or the other. That, and maybe sometimes change is not only good, but necessary.
-- Thursday is my birthday, and Offspring is taking macabre delight in torturing me with the fact that I'm a year away from forty. I now regret doing the same thing to my own parents. I see now how annoying that truly is. And, I feel creakier with every passing day.
-- Tonight I have a meeting that has all the hallmarks of DOOM! about it. I'm hoping that all the players involved in this mess can find some common ground and that it won't suck majorly. May the fates be kind to us all.....
-- I talked to my mother this afternoon, and my aunt who has brain cancer is doing well. She's scheduled to take part in a clinical trial starting soon, and then chemo and/or radiation by the end of the year. She's doing amazingly well, and I am so glad to have her not only still with us, but almost as good as new. I got an email from her a few days ago, and was so pleased that she was not only out of the hospital but also emailing and sounding like her normal self. Modern medicine is miraculous, and I am so thankful for that.
-- Offspring's been sick, and now JF's been sidelined, too. It's most likely not swine flu, Thank God. Stuffy noses, headaches, and slight temperatures. Just your normal ickiness of the season.
Not much else to report, so I'm off to make dinner and sit with my family for a bit before I have to head out for this meeting. Everyone have a good week!
-- Tomorrow is midterm. How the hell is it midterm already?!? I'm not really cramming this quarter because I feel a lot more sure with the subject matter. So far, my GPA is a 90.87, which I'm pretty happy with. I am wondering what tomorrow's midterm will hold, but since we take our exams through Blackboard, I will be able to see my score as soon as I submit the exam. So, I'll either be happy tomorrow evening, or totally bummed.
-- School (the other school -- the one I get paid to go to...) is going pretty well. Or, well -- I should say it's going well in MY case, though how others around me are feeling, I have no idea. The last two years have taught me that I no longer have the capacity to judge what "they" might be feeling one way or the other. That, and maybe sometimes change is not only good, but necessary.
-- Thursday is my birthday, and Offspring is taking macabre delight in torturing me with the fact that I'm a year away from forty. I now regret doing the same thing to my own parents. I see now how annoying that truly is. And, I feel creakier with every passing day.
-- Tonight I have a meeting that has all the hallmarks of DOOM! about it. I'm hoping that all the players involved in this mess can find some common ground and that it won't suck majorly. May the fates be kind to us all.....
-- I talked to my mother this afternoon, and my aunt who has brain cancer is doing well. She's scheduled to take part in a clinical trial starting soon, and then chemo and/or radiation by the end of the year. She's doing amazingly well, and I am so glad to have her not only still with us, but almost as good as new. I got an email from her a few days ago, and was so pleased that she was not only out of the hospital but also emailing and sounding like her normal self. Modern medicine is miraculous, and I am so thankful for that.
-- Offspring's been sick, and now JF's been sidelined, too. It's most likely not swine flu, Thank God. Stuffy noses, headaches, and slight temperatures. Just your normal ickiness of the season.
Not much else to report, so I'm off to make dinner and sit with my family for a bit before I have to head out for this meeting. Everyone have a good week!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Maintaining Radio Silence
Never fear, my faithful three readers -- I have not gone gentle into that good night. (When I go, there won't be anything *gentle* about it. I plan to go, kicking and screaming.)
I have been very busy, as the end of all school years tend to be.
*We are winding up all of our end-of-the-year testing, and trying to tie up all the loose ends for the children who most likely won't be matriculating on to first grade. This is also usually the time where we have many visits from irate parents who want to harangue us, even though we've been telling them the same basic information since the first marking period. What do they expect when they don't bother to help their child(ren) with their school work? How can they say they're really surprised that little Johnny is failing kindergarten when we can't even get you to bring him to school every day, much less with pencils and crayons; and nevermind with completed homework? Anyway...it's the same song, every year.
*Offspring is going to be a rising eighth-grader, and with that comes the rush to get her portfolio together so she can audition for the Arts school here in town in the winter for a entering freshman for the following year. We are pushing hard at her to really work on her artwork, but I don't think it's sinking in on her. I really want her to get in this school -- it's fabulous academically, and the potential for her personal growth there would be incredible. The options left open to us if she's NOT accepted I don't even want to fathom.
*Speaking of school -- I have applied to go back to school myself. More on that as it develops, but that's in the extreme infancy stage right now. Haven't even been accepted, but hopefully that's nothing major to worry over.
*I often joke about living in the tropics, but my joke was made real today by the monsoon JF and I experienced as we went out to do the grocery shopping. We headed out to Sam's, and by the time we got there, the water was coming down so hard you could barely see, there was hail the size of Tic Tacs, and the wind was blowing us around like a candy wrapper in an updraft. JF clambered over the backseat like a monkey to get the big golf umbrella for me while he took the teeny collapsible one. We might as well have not even used the blasted brollies for all the good they did us! We were soaked to the skin within minutes, the the wind turned my heavy umbrella into kinetic sculpture. Funnily enough, the small umbrella survived unscathed. The employees at Sam's got a hearty giggle out of our drowned-rat appearance, and they even made a sale with the strategically-placed beach towels at the front entrance. JF snickered endlessly at the fact the umbrellas did nothing to help us, and wandered around muttering about "great big old fat rain."
*We had a Girl Scout appreciation dinner the other night for the leaders in our local unit, and the decision was made to hold it at our local Carrabba's. Now, I'm not a fan of Carrabba's, and I wouldn't have gone except for the fact that it was our end-of-the-year, hand out all the certificates of appreciation type of thing. Our Service Unit Manager called three weeks ahead of time, and reserved their back room so that our large party would not disturb any of the other patrons. She called back the day before our gathering to confirm. Everyting seemed fine -- they had us down for 35 people at 7pm. I was the first to arrive the next evening, at 6:30, in order to do a little bit of decorating on the tables. I was told they were getting our tables together. When the others arrived, they tried to direct us to tables in the middle of the restaurant. They'd given the tables in the back room away. To two people. We asked to speak with the manager. He refused to asked them to move, or to help us in any way. We explained that we'd had that room reserved for over 3 weeks, and we'd asked for that room SPECIFICALLY because we'd be making presentations, and getting up and down a lot, and we didn't want to disturb other diners. He still refused to give us the room. We were on the brink of walking; 25 irate PAYING customers; when one of our ladies sweet-talks him into shooing the parties in the back room out of there as quickly as he can without being ugly AND free desserts for all of us. As we're shown to the table, the hostess is as rude as she can possibly be to me. I would have been happier anywhere else. I will NEVER go to Carrabba's again. I sense an angry letter in my future.
That's pretty much all that's going on here. Offspring took a Girl Scout trip to Orlando this weekend, so I'm just waiting for the call that her bus is trundling up the turnpike, and I should hie my fanny up to the meeting place to fetch her. Stay alive out there, people!
I have been very busy, as the end of all school years tend to be.
*We are winding up all of our end-of-the-year testing, and trying to tie up all the loose ends for the children who most likely won't be matriculating on to first grade. This is also usually the time where we have many visits from irate parents who want to harangue us, even though we've been telling them the same basic information since the first marking period. What do they expect when they don't bother to help their child(ren) with their school work? How can they say they're really surprised that little Johnny is failing kindergarten when we can't even get you to bring him to school every day, much less with pencils and crayons; and nevermind with completed homework? Anyway...it's the same song, every year.
*Offspring is going to be a rising eighth-grader, and with that comes the rush to get her portfolio together so she can audition for the Arts school here in town in the winter for a entering freshman for the following year. We are pushing hard at her to really work on her artwork, but I don't think it's sinking in on her. I really want her to get in this school -- it's fabulous academically, and the potential for her personal growth there would be incredible. The options left open to us if she's NOT accepted I don't even want to fathom.
*Speaking of school -- I have applied to go back to school myself. More on that as it develops, but that's in the extreme infancy stage right now. Haven't even been accepted, but hopefully that's nothing major to worry over.
*I often joke about living in the tropics, but my joke was made real today by the monsoon JF and I experienced as we went out to do the grocery shopping. We headed out to Sam's, and by the time we got there, the water was coming down so hard you could barely see, there was hail the size of Tic Tacs, and the wind was blowing us around like a candy wrapper in an updraft. JF clambered over the backseat like a monkey to get the big golf umbrella for me while he took the teeny collapsible one. We might as well have not even used the blasted brollies for all the good they did us! We were soaked to the skin within minutes, the the wind turned my heavy umbrella into kinetic sculpture. Funnily enough, the small umbrella survived unscathed. The employees at Sam's got a hearty giggle out of our drowned-rat appearance, and they even made a sale with the strategically-placed beach towels at the front entrance. JF snickered endlessly at the fact the umbrellas did nothing to help us, and wandered around muttering about "great big old fat rain."
*We had a Girl Scout appreciation dinner the other night for the leaders in our local unit, and the decision was made to hold it at our local Carrabba's. Now, I'm not a fan of Carrabba's, and I wouldn't have gone except for the fact that it was our end-of-the-year, hand out all the certificates of appreciation type of thing. Our Service Unit Manager called three weeks ahead of time, and reserved their back room so that our large party would not disturb any of the other patrons. She called back the day before our gathering to confirm. Everyting seemed fine -- they had us down for 35 people at 7pm. I was the first to arrive the next evening, at 6:30, in order to do a little bit of decorating on the tables. I was told they were getting our tables together. When the others arrived, they tried to direct us to tables in the middle of the restaurant. They'd given the tables in the back room away. To two people. We asked to speak with the manager. He refused to asked them to move, or to help us in any way. We explained that we'd had that room reserved for over 3 weeks, and we'd asked for that room SPECIFICALLY because we'd be making presentations, and getting up and down a lot, and we didn't want to disturb other diners. He still refused to give us the room. We were on the brink of walking; 25 irate PAYING customers; when one of our ladies sweet-talks him into shooing the parties in the back room out of there as quickly as he can without being ugly AND free desserts for all of us. As we're shown to the table, the hostess is as rude as she can possibly be to me. I would have been happier anywhere else. I will NEVER go to Carrabba's again. I sense an angry letter in my future.
That's pretty much all that's going on here. Offspring took a Girl Scout trip to Orlando this weekend, so I'm just waiting for the call that her bus is trundling up the turnpike, and I should hie my fanny up to the meeting place to fetch her. Stay alive out there, people!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Random Bullets of The Same-Old, Same-Old
There's nothing really exciting going on here in Casa KLee, which is why there have been so few posts lately. And, rather than reiterate that with yet ANOTHER post that tells you, yes -- I am alive, but am a boring sod, I give you Random Bullets!
* Offspring narrowly missed summary execution by bring home a truly horrendous mid-term report. After tears (on her part) and exhortations to get crackin' on that grade (my part), bloodshed was averted. But just barely. When your honor students brings home a 43% average, that's officially NOT GOOD. And, yes -- there was cussing involved. (Her father and I.)
* I am so freaking tired of Girl Scout cookies, you all just don't know. Many, many thanks to Kathy A. for relieving me -- and the hatchback of my car -- of ten boxes.
* I am headed to Baltimore in a little more than 2 weeks for a professional conference. Binsk, if you're out there, you up for lunch? I'd love to do the Mikey Kellerman Memorial Pub Crawl, but I'm a serious lightweight, and I have to get up and you know, FUNCTION, the next day.
* Said trip to Baltimore will happen on the overnight train, which I have never done before. I hope the train is comfortable for fat people who need sleep desperately.
* JF has been very sick this week, including staying home from work on both Friday and Monday. That NEVER happens. He has to be bleeding from the eyeballs before he admits to being sick, but poor baby's been doped up liberally with DayQuil, NyQuil, and they made another kind of -Quil, he'd be on that, too. He went back to work today, but dragged in this afternoon like the Living Dead. I hope he feels better soon!
* My mother and stepfather have a Westie named Doc. They love this dog to distraction, and I swear he couldn't be more spoiled if he were human. Now, I'm not a dog person AT ALL, but Doc has personality. I like him. Well, my Mom caved in, and they bought a female Westie not too long ago as a companion. Her name is Skye, and she's a cutie. They dropped by our house this weekend to show her off a bit. She's still a puppy, but Mom says she's already ruling the roost. Doc's a good boy to put up with all her mess. I'll have to get pics soon.
* School is going well, but there are always the few that lag behind no matter how much effort you put forth for them. I have one child who is in a very sad situation, not only in his school life, but in his family life as well. I have prayed for guidance on this one, but I think , sadly, I forsee a future falling through the cracks. We'll work our hardest to make sure that doesn't happen, but when the parents just don't care, there's not much you can do.
* The Girl Scout troop is going well, though I have a few very headstrong little girls. I am trying my utmost to mold that headstrong streak in a positive way. I'll let you know how that all works out.
That's really all that's happening in this part of the world. Sorry it isn't more entertaining.
* Offspring narrowly missed summary execution by bring home a truly horrendous mid-term report. After tears (on her part) and exhortations to get crackin' on that grade (my part), bloodshed was averted. But just barely. When your honor students brings home a 43% average, that's officially NOT GOOD. And, yes -- there was cussing involved. (Her father and I.)
* I am so freaking tired of Girl Scout cookies, you all just don't know. Many, many thanks to Kathy A. for relieving me -- and the hatchback of my car -- of ten boxes.
* I am headed to Baltimore in a little more than 2 weeks for a professional conference. Binsk, if you're out there, you up for lunch? I'd love to do the Mikey Kellerman Memorial Pub Crawl, but I'm a serious lightweight, and I have to get up and you know, FUNCTION, the next day.
* Said trip to Baltimore will happen on the overnight train, which I have never done before. I hope the train is comfortable for fat people who need sleep desperately.
* JF has been very sick this week, including staying home from work on both Friday and Monday. That NEVER happens. He has to be bleeding from the eyeballs before he admits to being sick, but poor baby's been doped up liberally with DayQuil, NyQuil, and they made another kind of -Quil, he'd be on that, too. He went back to work today, but dragged in this afternoon like the Living Dead. I hope he feels better soon!
* My mother and stepfather have a Westie named Doc. They love this dog to distraction, and I swear he couldn't be more spoiled if he were human. Now, I'm not a dog person AT ALL, but Doc has personality. I like him. Well, my Mom caved in, and they bought a female Westie not too long ago as a companion. Her name is Skye, and she's a cutie. They dropped by our house this weekend to show her off a bit. She's still a puppy, but Mom says she's already ruling the roost. Doc's a good boy to put up with all her mess. I'll have to get pics soon.
* School is going well, but there are always the few that lag behind no matter how much effort you put forth for them. I have one child who is in a very sad situation, not only in his school life, but in his family life as well. I have prayed for guidance on this one, but I think , sadly, I forsee a future falling through the cracks. We'll work our hardest to make sure that doesn't happen, but when the parents just don't care, there's not much you can do.
* The Girl Scout troop is going well, though I have a few very headstrong little girls. I am trying my utmost to mold that headstrong streak in a positive way. I'll let you know how that all works out.
That's really all that's happening in this part of the world. Sorry it isn't more entertaining.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Just Living
I'm here, though I don't have much worthy to post. (Except the stuff I *can't* post about, like the temper-tantrum, spoiled rotten kid I have this year....)
*Offspring has settled in to seventh grade -- it's hard to believe that she's already in seventh grade -- and seems to be enjoying seeing her friends, if not overjoyed at the idea of being back at school.
*Juggling Freak is ass-deep in alligators at work, which is necessitating long days and excessive crankiness from people who wish (and can't get) his services. It also makes him stumblingly tired. Poor guy... I just try to provide him with foot rubs to make it all better.
*I have a lot of craft projects to take pictures of and post, but I keep forgetting to do that.
*Why in blue blazes do middle schoolers need so many fricking binders and composition books?!? And what genius decided my daughter's school did NOT need lockers, meaning that they have to tote 20-pound bookbags around?
------------------
Offspring Moment Of The Day: I was talking with her after school the other day, discussing her classes, and how she likes her teachers... all that sort of jazz... She was telling me about her French class, and I mentioned that I could help her with pronunciation, if she needed it. She mumbled, "Yeah...", clearly just responding, and not really *hearing* me. Then, light dawned -- "Hey! Yeah! You *can * help me!" The other shoe dropped, and she remembered that French was my language in school.
*Offspring has settled in to seventh grade -- it's hard to believe that she's already in seventh grade -- and seems to be enjoying seeing her friends, if not overjoyed at the idea of being back at school.
*Juggling Freak is ass-deep in alligators at work, which is necessitating long days and excessive crankiness from people who wish (and can't get) his services. It also makes him stumblingly tired. Poor guy... I just try to provide him with foot rubs to make it all better.
*I have a lot of craft projects to take pictures of and post, but I keep forgetting to do that.
*Why in blue blazes do middle schoolers need so many fricking binders and composition books?!? And what genius decided my daughter's school did NOT need lockers, meaning that they have to tote 20-pound bookbags around?
------------------
Offspring Moment Of The Day: I was talking with her after school the other day, discussing her classes, and how she likes her teachers... all that sort of jazz... She was telling me about her French class, and I mentioned that I could help her with pronunciation, if she needed it. She mumbled, "Yeah...", clearly just responding, and not really *hearing* me. Then, light dawned -- "Hey! Yeah! You *can * help me!" The other shoe dropped, and she remembered that French was my language in school.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
The Ever-Popular Bullets of Randomness
Sorry for the long silence. It's been a busy and not-so-glorious last few weeks.
* Thanks to everyone who contacted me regarding my last post. I really appreciate all of your kind words and thoughts. To be honest, I wasn't seeking approval and compliments with that, it was just something that was really bothering me, and I felt like maybe I could write all the pain out of me if I tried hard enough. Didn't work, but I did feel better enough to finally go to sleep. It was a very disheartening evening for me, and those of you who mailed and called really helped me work through the funk.
* Both my show and school are over. (Thanks be to all benevolent forces out there.) Last show was June 8th, and last day of school was yesterday, June 13th. I just have to get all my crap moved to the new classroom and fill out some last minute paperwork, and I'm clear.
* Got Offspring off this weekend for a Girl Scout Field trip. It's weird not having her in the house. Sat on the couch, watching "Juno" with Juggling Freak, and then went and spent lots of money at the grocery store.
* I also signed up for Facebook, and have been busy playing all the neat little game widgets there.
* Made 14 stationery sets for people at school, and a scrapbook. Now, I need to make three or four greeting cards, and I think I'm good for a bit.
What's all up with you?
* Thanks to everyone who contacted me regarding my last post. I really appreciate all of your kind words and thoughts. To be honest, I wasn't seeking approval and compliments with that, it was just something that was really bothering me, and I felt like maybe I could write all the pain out of me if I tried hard enough. Didn't work, but I did feel better enough to finally go to sleep. It was a very disheartening evening for me, and those of you who mailed and called really helped me work through the funk.
* Both my show and school are over. (Thanks be to all benevolent forces out there.) Last show was June 8th, and last day of school was yesterday, June 13th. I just have to get all my crap moved to the new classroom and fill out some last minute paperwork, and I'm clear.
* Got Offspring off this weekend for a Girl Scout Field trip. It's weird not having her in the house. Sat on the couch, watching "Juno" with Juggling Freak, and then went and spent lots of money at the grocery store.
* I also signed up for Facebook, and have been busy playing all the neat little game widgets there.
* Made 14 stationery sets for people at school, and a scrapbook. Now, I need to make three or four greeting cards, and I think I'm good for a bit.
What's all up with you?
Friday, April 11, 2008
Bullets Of Spring Break
Sorry, all -- I've been away for most of the week. The fam and I took a few short days of vacation while Offspring and I were out of school for Spring Break. We loaded up the car and headed for Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
* I spent a lot of summers at Myrtle Beach as I was growing up. My aunt owns some condos there, so it was always easy to get away for some fun by the sea.
* We decided to go there because my aunt still owns those condos, and was generous enough to loan us one for the week at no charge (Thanks, Auntie B!) Juggling Freak and I went there on our honeymoon almost 16 years ago, and we were curious as to how the place had changed. Offspring had never been, so we looked on it as something new and different.
* We took lots of pictures, some of which I'll upload later. We played typical tourists, taking lots of pictures and embarrassing the snot out of Offsping. As we all know, this is the primary job of the parents of teenagers.
* KMart pretty much sucks no matter what state or city it happens to be in. We were in need of some supplies mid-week, and we happened to see a KMart, thinking we'd stop in and quickly grab what we needed. Silly me for thinking "KMart" and "quick" in relation to each other. The place was pretty busy, it being the beginning of the beach season and Myrtle Beach *is* a tourist haven, with people who have disposable income at the ready. We got the things that we needed, and started for the checkouts. There was ONE checkout open, with one woman who was slower than molasses as the cashier. Of course, since we're sort of in a hurry, we had an item that just! would! not! scan!!! and she had to go to another register to call the toy department for a price check. Which takes eons, of course. Finally, after about five people in line behind us have dumped their items and left in disgust, she rings the toy up at five dollars. We beat feet out of there quickly before we got caught up in an endless, mind-numbing loop.
* We spent a lot of time at Broadway at the Beach, which is a big shopping and dining area, along the lines of Downtown Disney, and had a great time. Got some good pictures of places around here, which I promise to post later.
Now, unfortunately, we have to get ready to get back into the grind of work, work, work. It was nice having some time off, but it's all too short.
* I spent a lot of summers at Myrtle Beach as I was growing up. My aunt owns some condos there, so it was always easy to get away for some fun by the sea.
* We decided to go there because my aunt still owns those condos, and was generous enough to loan us one for the week at no charge (Thanks, Auntie B!) Juggling Freak and I went there on our honeymoon almost 16 years ago, and we were curious as to how the place had changed. Offspring had never been, so we looked on it as something new and different.
* We took lots of pictures, some of which I'll upload later. We played typical tourists, taking lots of pictures and embarrassing the snot out of Offsping. As we all know, this is the primary job of the parents of teenagers.
* KMart pretty much sucks no matter what state or city it happens to be in. We were in need of some supplies mid-week, and we happened to see a KMart, thinking we'd stop in and quickly grab what we needed. Silly me for thinking "KMart" and "quick" in relation to each other. The place was pretty busy, it being the beginning of the beach season and Myrtle Beach *is* a tourist haven, with people who have disposable income at the ready. We got the things that we needed, and started for the checkouts. There was ONE checkout open, with one woman who was slower than molasses as the cashier. Of course, since we're sort of in a hurry, we had an item that just! would! not! scan!!! and she had to go to another register to call the toy department for a price check. Which takes eons, of course. Finally, after about five people in line behind us have dumped their items and left in disgust, she rings the toy up at five dollars. We beat feet out of there quickly before we got caught up in an endless, mind-numbing loop.
* We spent a lot of time at Broadway at the Beach, which is a big shopping and dining area, along the lines of Downtown Disney, and had a great time. Got some good pictures of places around here, which I promise to post later.
Now, unfortunately, we have to get ready to get back into the grind of work, work, work. It was nice having some time off, but it's all too short.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Bullets of Random Stuff
I've been scarce around here lately, but there's so much going on. All I have time for right now is bullets. So, here you go!
* I still owe you all a post about last weekend's fun meetup with Marni. It's on deck, as soon as I download the pics from my digital camera. I haven't even had time to do that yet.
* Got a whole shipment of new crafty stuff in, so most of this weekend is devoted to getting that all put away, and sneaking in a little craft time.
* Offspring took a school trip to Atlanta yesterday complete with a visit to the zoo and the aquarium. She had a great time, but it wasn't so great that JF had to roll out of bed at 4am to get her up and ready to be at school at 5:45 for the hellaciously long bus trip. Needless to say, we all bottomed out fairly early last night.
* I've been sick this week, even staying home from school on Wednesday. I did nothing at all but sleep all day. I got up to go to the bathroom twice, but otherwise didn't leave the bed. You know you're feeling bad when your sinuses are so clogged with goo that it feels like your brain is spasming. Odd, disconcerting feeling.
* I may have a chance to be up in the Washington, DC area for a school conference at the end of April. It all depends on how much the trip will cost, and how much the district might kick in towards the fees and plane fares. If it comes to fruition, I'd love to meet up with anyone in the area who's close enough for a lunch or dinner. I'll keep you all posted.
* That musical I auditioned for back at the beginning of February? Still no notification. I got another email from the director back about 10 days ago, saying there were still a few people trying to audition, but that they would be finished by Feb 25th. No word since then. A look at the theater's website shows that he's decided to flip-flop the run dates of this show with the one that was supposed to be the next on the playbill. Instead, THAT show will premiere first, and rehearsals for the show *I* auditioned for won't begin until the end of March.
* I'm so tired of Girl Scout cookies. Yes, they're yummy, but I'm tired of seeing them, tired of selling them, and tired of being responsible for all of the money that it encompasses. Offspring has another cookie sale out in the public tomorrow, and hopefully that means she's done for the year. Then, we'll have another year before we have to worry about it again.
Sorry for the silence here.... I hope to get back into the swing of things now that I'm not coughing up my lungs every other minute. Until next time!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Bullets of Tired
I was trying to think of something funny and/or pithy to post today, but I got nuthin'. I'm tired, and the weekends only seem long enough to catch me up on sleep before I have to start all over again. So the three of you still reading this blog get bullets.
*I have a semi-unbloggable thing going on at work. I'll just say that my work has gotten notice by my peers. In a good way.
*Went to our five-year old nephew's birthday party yesterday morning. He had a pirate-themed party, and Offspring went dressed as a pirate wench. It was cute. I made a little pirate treasure chest in lieu of a card that I filled with chocolate coins. It was a hit, but only because the coins were chocolate. I did take a picture of it, though I haven't uploaded it yet.
*Have been asked by my school's secretary to make up a few Christmas cards designs so she can present them to the principal. They're thinking about commissioning about 100 cards from me to present to staff this year. If they choose one of my designs, I'll have to get cracking pretty soon here.
*Have also been approached by a parent that's seen my work to make about 10 "teacher" themed cards that she can present to her children's teachers. That will be a nice way to make a little money, too.
*I've gone through the box of clothes, and need to take pictures. There's some stuff in there that's bad, but not truly cringe-worthy. The one thing I notice is that she was very fond of lime green. Needless to say, I look hideous in lime green. And, she really likes linen. I doubt if I've ever seen so much linen in my life.
*Speaking of lime green and linen -- anyone know how to home-dye some of this lime green stuff? Or should I just call around and see how much an alterations shop would charge me to dye some of this? Never having worked with linen before, I don't know much about its properties. Is it prone to shrinking? Should it be dry-cleaned, or washed by hand?
*I have a birthday coming up. I'm looking forward to the gift part, but not the idea of aging another year. Why is it that the actual *number* bothers me so much? It's not like 37 is old. I still feel young and vital -- why is it that 37 makes me feel so ancient? Am I mental? (Pipe down with the snarky comments, I am *not* all that odd...)
Well, I should go. I have bills to pay, clothes to wash, and miles to go before I sleep.
*I have a semi-unbloggable thing going on at work. I'll just say that my work has gotten notice by my peers. In a good way.
*Went to our five-year old nephew's birthday party yesterday morning. He had a pirate-themed party, and Offspring went dressed as a pirate wench. It was cute. I made a little pirate treasure chest in lieu of a card that I filled with chocolate coins. It was a hit, but only because the coins were chocolate. I did take a picture of it, though I haven't uploaded it yet.
*Have been asked by my school's secretary to make up a few Christmas cards designs so she can present them to the principal. They're thinking about commissioning about 100 cards from me to present to staff this year. If they choose one of my designs, I'll have to get cracking pretty soon here.
*Have also been approached by a parent that's seen my work to make about 10 "teacher" themed cards that she can present to her children's teachers. That will be a nice way to make a little money, too.
*I've gone through the box of clothes, and need to take pictures. There's some stuff in there that's bad, but not truly cringe-worthy. The one thing I notice is that she was very fond of lime green. Needless to say, I look hideous in lime green. And, she really likes linen. I doubt if I've ever seen so much linen in my life.
*Speaking of lime green and linen -- anyone know how to home-dye some of this lime green stuff? Or should I just call around and see how much an alterations shop would charge me to dye some of this? Never having worked with linen before, I don't know much about its properties. Is it prone to shrinking? Should it be dry-cleaned, or washed by hand?
*I have a birthday coming up. I'm looking forward to the gift part, but not the idea of aging another year. Why is it that the actual *number* bothers me so much? It's not like 37 is old. I still feel young and vital -- why is it that 37 makes me feel so ancient? Am I mental? (Pipe down with the snarky comments, I am *not* all that odd...)
Well, I should go. I have bills to pay, clothes to wash, and miles to go before I sleep.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Weekend Bullets
Not much going on right now, so I figured I'd break things down a bit. Which means: the hauling out of the ever-popular bullet-style post. I haven't bulleted in a while, so I think I might not bother anyone too much with a bullet list.
* Had a migraine yesterday morning, and still feel sort of icky, stomach-wise. JF has been so sweet, letting me catch up on sleep and bringing me Ginger Ale. I picked out a good husband.
* Got a few more stories of Disney World in the hopper, if anyone is interested. Those posts don't seem to go over so well, so I was debating whether to post them or not. Also, trying not to repeat anything from this time last summer when we went to Disney World.
* Had a very bizarro thing happen at a craft get together the other night. May have to post that, as it's worth a mention for the "what the hell?!" factor alone.
* Wondering if anyone remembers that spectacular flop of an idea I had way back forever ago to have a cookie swap? Made cookies for a sleepover that Offspring went to that went over so well that I have given about an iota's amount of thought to resurrecting the idea. Of course, if it's only going to be me and CCW participating, I'll just say the hell with it. Anyone else actually interested enough to participate? Or is it too darn hot to be thinking about firing up the oven?
* Born of the cookie swap idea was an idea for a book swap as well, something I have mentioned here before and recently joked about with Amy. Is anyone interested in that? I know we all complain about how many books we have, but does anyone really want to mail your books off? We could set up rules about x many books per shipment, and stipulate that *these* books you pass on, and *these* books you return to the original owner. A cheaper way to cull the shelves, but also a way that you get new authors/new blood in. I dunno. I'm looking for a project, can you tell?
* Got a bunch of new craft supplies and made a bunch of new cards, so I have at least done *something* recently. Other than that, I've been a complete slug.
* Had a migraine yesterday morning, and still feel sort of icky, stomach-wise. JF has been so sweet, letting me catch up on sleep and bringing me Ginger Ale. I picked out a good husband.
* Got a few more stories of Disney World in the hopper, if anyone is interested. Those posts don't seem to go over so well, so I was debating whether to post them or not. Also, trying not to repeat anything from this time last summer when we went to Disney World.
* Had a very bizarro thing happen at a craft get together the other night. May have to post that, as it's worth a mention for the "what the hell?!" factor alone.
* Wondering if anyone remembers that spectacular flop of an idea I had way back forever ago to have a cookie swap? Made cookies for a sleepover that Offspring went to that went over so well that I have given about an iota's amount of thought to resurrecting the idea. Of course, if it's only going to be me and CCW participating, I'll just say the hell with it. Anyone else actually interested enough to participate? Or is it too darn hot to be thinking about firing up the oven?
* Born of the cookie swap idea was an idea for a book swap as well, something I have mentioned here before and recently joked about with Amy. Is anyone interested in that? I know we all complain about how many books we have, but does anyone really want to mail your books off? We could set up rules about x many books per shipment, and stipulate that *these* books you pass on, and *these* books you return to the original owner. A cheaper way to cull the shelves, but also a way that you get new authors/new blood in. I dunno. I'm looking for a project, can you tell?
* Got a bunch of new craft supplies and made a bunch of new cards, so I have at least done *something* recently. Other than that, I've been a complete slug.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Random Junk
*So. Effing. Tired. I have no idea why, either. My students are all well aware that we have very few days of school left, and are all over the place. We had visiting Pre-K students come to visit yesterday, and *they* were more together than our kids were!
*The ankle continues to heal, though it's very stiff in the mornings, and I'm trying to do exercises throughout the day to build the strength back up in it. Most of the discoloration is gone, though there is still residual swelling.
*I'm still on the fence as to whether or not I will continue with Girl Scouts next year. I want to tell some of the parents to take a flying leap, but some are decent. and, I love the girls -- that's not the frustrating part. It's just a lot of work, and most of the time, some of the less involved parents make it out to be more hassle than it needs to be. The one main reason that I'm still on the fence about it is Offspring. I feel sure that she would drop out of the program entirely if I weren't involved, and that would be a shame. She loves what we do, and she's one of the girls who actually benefit from it. She does the work, she enjoys the meetings, and she feels a sense of accomplishment when she earns a badge. I've stuck with it for six years for her sake. I'm wondering if I should stick with it for another year. I want to do it for, but I would be just as happy if some others didn't return. Is that terrible of me?
*Got a GREAT picture back from a Girl Scout Mother-Daughter event -- I may have to scan it and post it later, if I have the time.... I was not able to attend this event due to being laid up with the foot, but Offspring went with my mother, the Hell's Granny. Mom chose (wisely, I thought) not to dress in her Harley-Davidson gear and screech up to the event on her Hawg. Offspring got to spend the night with her after the party, and had a great time.
That's all for now. I have to go get in the shower. I made a pinata for Cinco de Mayo for our students today, and I'm covered in Elmer's Glue.
*The ankle continues to heal, though it's very stiff in the mornings, and I'm trying to do exercises throughout the day to build the strength back up in it. Most of the discoloration is gone, though there is still residual swelling.
*I'm still on the fence as to whether or not I will continue with Girl Scouts next year. I want to tell some of the parents to take a flying leap, but some are decent. and, I love the girls -- that's not the frustrating part. It's just a lot of work, and most of the time, some of the less involved parents make it out to be more hassle than it needs to be. The one main reason that I'm still on the fence about it is Offspring. I feel sure that she would drop out of the program entirely if I weren't involved, and that would be a shame. She loves what we do, and she's one of the girls who actually benefit from it. She does the work, she enjoys the meetings, and she feels a sense of accomplishment when she earns a badge. I've stuck with it for six years for her sake. I'm wondering if I should stick with it for another year. I want to do it for, but I would be just as happy if some others didn't return. Is that terrible of me?
*Got a GREAT picture back from a Girl Scout Mother-Daughter event -- I may have to scan it and post it later, if I have the time.... I was not able to attend this event due to being laid up with the foot, but Offspring went with my mother, the Hell's Granny. Mom chose (wisely, I thought) not to dress in her Harley-Davidson gear and screech up to the event on her Hawg. Offspring got to spend the night with her after the party, and had a great time.
That's all for now. I have to go get in the shower. I made a pinata for Cinco de Mayo for our students today, and I'm covered in Elmer's Glue.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Thank God Spring Break Has Arrived
I don't know how much longer I could have survived, but I'm very pleased that I didn't have a meltdown, and am now free to enjoy my nine days off with very little thought of school.
Because I am already in vacation mode, I have nothing better to offer you than random bullets. Hopefully, the time off will give me plenty of time to come up with some kind of actual content that people care to read. Because while I truly love the two of you that have been commenting lately, I am vain enough that I want more people to validate my existence.
*Incidentally, yes -- I DO think blogs are vanity to a point. I think that we all want our "stories" read -- that's why we put them out there. It matters not whether they're about our own lives, or our kids, or what have you. Not that I think all blogging or bloggers are the type of train-wreck kind of vain. It's like an actor's type of vanity. You have to be willing to get yourself up on that stage and be seen by all those people. That's all. Not the "I'm so in love with myself, everyone MUST be completely curious about every little thing I do, down to the number of times I sneeze a day." Though there ARE blogs like that out there. And, I read some of those, too. I'm a glutton for punishment.
*Dad is still in the hospital. He's having a hard time breathing, and is having sporadic episodes of atrial fibrillation (chambers of the heart beating erratically and out of sync with each other) when he gets up to do his required walking. I'm content with him staying in the hospital until he feels more secure about going home, but I'm not so sure that he's as on board with that plan as I am. Or his insurance company, for that matter.
* I am a total doofus. (You all already knew that, so I shall expound on my doofosity.) I cooked dinner the other night, spattering oil all over my shirt in the process. In order to get the stains out, I put a load of laundry into the washer, including that shirt, and started it. That same load of laundry has been sitting, growing funkier by the second, in the washer since Wednesday. Duh. Am now rewashing the entire load, with some bleach for handy germ-killing power.
* We went to Big Bookstore last night, and I selected about seven new novels about the Tudor time period (my particular favorite), and settled down in an easy chair near the windows. There was a man there who occupied the other chair, madly scribbling away in notebooks. He had piles of notebooks around him, all covered with cramped, spidery writing. He looked like he would have been more comfortable in a library, sprawled out over an entire table. Offspring joined me with books of her own to read. We were quiet, making an occasional comment to each other, sotto voce, but the gentleman with the notebooks often cracked himself up at whatever he was writing. It was very disconcerting.
* JF has been visiting the gym lately, in an effort to buff himself out. He's looking very good. (Though I thought he looked good before the workouts....) He is also enjoying the coach who rides the weightlifters under his training. There's nothing so enjoyable, apparently, as watching the suffering of others as you work out.
* I got an email from an old friend the other day, one whom I haven't seen in a while. It was nice that she was able to find me, but with recent incidences on the blogosphere, I'm wondering just how accessible I really make myself. And, it's not a pretty thought. Most of you know who and where I am, and I'm okay with that. It's just those nutjobs out there that worry me. I don't mind being found by the nice people, but the freaky people? That's another thing entirely.
* Coming up this summer, I'm slated for a first for me -- a blogger meet up! I can't wait. I'm hoping that plans continue to stay as they are, because I will be totally bummed if they fall through.
That's about it for me. I will try to come up with something pithy to say. And when that fails, I'll try to have something at least mildly diverting.
Because I am already in vacation mode, I have nothing better to offer you than random bullets. Hopefully, the time off will give me plenty of time to come up with some kind of actual content that people care to read. Because while I truly love the two of you that have been commenting lately, I am vain enough that I want more people to validate my existence.
*Incidentally, yes -- I DO think blogs are vanity to a point. I think that we all want our "stories" read -- that's why we put them out there. It matters not whether they're about our own lives, or our kids, or what have you. Not that I think all blogging or bloggers are the type of train-wreck kind of vain. It's like an actor's type of vanity. You have to be willing to get yourself up on that stage and be seen by all those people. That's all. Not the "I'm so in love with myself, everyone MUST be completely curious about every little thing I do, down to the number of times I sneeze a day." Though there ARE blogs like that out there. And, I read some of those, too. I'm a glutton for punishment.
*Dad is still in the hospital. He's having a hard time breathing, and is having sporadic episodes of atrial fibrillation (chambers of the heart beating erratically and out of sync with each other) when he gets up to do his required walking. I'm content with him staying in the hospital until he feels more secure about going home, but I'm not so sure that he's as on board with that plan as I am. Or his insurance company, for that matter.
* I am a total doofus. (You all already knew that, so I shall expound on my doofosity.) I cooked dinner the other night, spattering oil all over my shirt in the process. In order to get the stains out, I put a load of laundry into the washer, including that shirt, and started it. That same load of laundry has been sitting, growing funkier by the second, in the washer since Wednesday. Duh. Am now rewashing the entire load, with some bleach for handy germ-killing power.
* We went to Big Bookstore last night, and I selected about seven new novels about the Tudor time period (my particular favorite), and settled down in an easy chair near the windows. There was a man there who occupied the other chair, madly scribbling away in notebooks. He had piles of notebooks around him, all covered with cramped, spidery writing. He looked like he would have been more comfortable in a library, sprawled out over an entire table. Offspring joined me with books of her own to read. We were quiet, making an occasional comment to each other, sotto voce, but the gentleman with the notebooks often cracked himself up at whatever he was writing. It was very disconcerting.
* JF has been visiting the gym lately, in an effort to buff himself out. He's looking very good. (Though I thought he looked good before the workouts....) He is also enjoying the coach who rides the weightlifters under his training. There's nothing so enjoyable, apparently, as watching the suffering of others as you work out.
* I got an email from an old friend the other day, one whom I haven't seen in a while. It was nice that she was able to find me, but with recent incidences on the blogosphere, I'm wondering just how accessible I really make myself. And, it's not a pretty thought. Most of you know who and where I am, and I'm okay with that. It's just those nutjobs out there that worry me. I don't mind being found by the nice people, but the freaky people? That's another thing entirely.
* Coming up this summer, I'm slated for a first for me -- a blogger meet up! I can't wait. I'm hoping that plans continue to stay as they are, because I will be totally bummed if they fall through.
That's about it for me. I will try to come up with something pithy to say. And when that fails, I'll try to have something at least mildly diverting.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Monday Blahs, Bullet Style
Eh. It's Monday again. Yippee. I got nuthin', so here's southern livin', bullet-style.
*Called the hospital Saturday night to check on Dad, and the nurse answered. Apparently, having open heart surgery reduces one to a childlike state again, because Nursie informed me that Dad was "on the potty." I could have gone all the rest of my life without the mental image of my father "going potty."
*Dad sounded rather feeble when I talked to him. The nurse also related that he had seemed confused earlier in the day, a condition my brother seconded. Dad says he wasn't confused, it was his family who was confusing. So, add "querulous" to the list as well. It's a bit alarming, because I'm not used to Dad being so doddery-sounding. He's always been so quick with a joke or an offhand comment that seeing him struggle is hard for me. Plus, I've never known anyone who has had open heart surgery, so I'm not sure *what* the recovery process is supposed to look like.
*Dad is not sleeping well in the hospital. Who ever sleeps well in the hospital? Plus, when he lays mostly flat, he gets hiccups, which are not doing his chest any good. I can't imagine that hiccuping feels good when you've had your chest unzippered. And he's having terrible heartburn. While he was in the ICU, he joked that the heartburn was like the worst trip to the State Fair you'd ever experienced. And that he was about to urp up a corndog, stick and all.
*That made me really miss Corndog. Anybody hear from him? Dr. Dog, if you're out there, check in, okay? I miss you.
*Next week is our Spring Break. Can I tell you how heavenly it will be to spend a whole week, sleeping late and catching up on stuff around the house? It seems like life is so go, go, go during the week that there's barely time to decompress on the weekends. Much less get anything accomplished. Laundry? Mt. Washeteria is beginning to resemble Mt. Fuji, complete with snow-capped peak, in my laundry room. If I let it go too much longer, Godzilla just might crawl out from under there.
*Our klepto student has stopped stealing for the last week or so. Now we've moved on to biting ourselves and blaming it on other people. This school year cannot end fast enough on some counts.
*We did have one of our school "experts" in behavior management come and view the Klepto Kid today. Hopefully, the expert will have some suggestions on how to deal more effectively with her, because I am all out of ideas.
*I'm really bummed because Offspring did not get chosen in the random lottery for an open slot at the Honors Academy next year. She's number 13 on the waiting list. Does it make me a terrible person if I hope 13 people somehow magically get bumped from the acceptance list for one reason or another so she can have a slot? I'm not superstitious, but 13 will be my new lucky number if she gets in.
*This is where I act and think positively, because she was number 40 on the waiting list for PreK, and she still managed to get in. (please, please, please....)
*I really DO NOT want her to go to the school that she will have to attend otherwise if she doesn't get a slot at the Honors Academy. Not a good school academically, and a friend who has children there this school year has already had her son stabbed with a pencil. Twice. And part of the reasoning behind it was that he has CP, and can't get away fast enough. He was an easy mark. Great. Really sounds like a place I want my tender-hearted, bookish child to attend.
*Had a field trip with my Girl Scouts this weekend, and they complained the! whole! way! through it. It was a walking tour that *they* selected! Several of them wanted me to CARRY them! They're ten and eleven years old! I'm fat and out of shape, and I could still walk it! There was a constant refrain of "It's hot. I'm tired!" One lagged behind the entire time, necessitating me to push and shoo her along like she was a recalcitrant cow, or something. Man, I can't *wait* for summer break!
*Is it a bad sign that I'm sitting here, wracking my brain, trying to think of bullets?
*Called the hospital Saturday night to check on Dad, and the nurse answered. Apparently, having open heart surgery reduces one to a childlike state again, because Nursie informed me that Dad was "on the potty." I could have gone all the rest of my life without the mental image of my father "going potty."
*Dad sounded rather feeble when I talked to him. The nurse also related that he had seemed confused earlier in the day, a condition my brother seconded. Dad says he wasn't confused, it was his family who was confusing. So, add "querulous" to the list as well. It's a bit alarming, because I'm not used to Dad being so doddery-sounding. He's always been so quick with a joke or an offhand comment that seeing him struggle is hard for me. Plus, I've never known anyone who has had open heart surgery, so I'm not sure *what* the recovery process is supposed to look like.
*Dad is not sleeping well in the hospital. Who ever sleeps well in the hospital? Plus, when he lays mostly flat, he gets hiccups, which are not doing his chest any good. I can't imagine that hiccuping feels good when you've had your chest unzippered. And he's having terrible heartburn. While he was in the ICU, he joked that the heartburn was like the worst trip to the State Fair you'd ever experienced. And that he was about to urp up a corndog, stick and all.
*That made me really miss Corndog. Anybody hear from him? Dr. Dog, if you're out there, check in, okay? I miss you.
*Next week is our Spring Break. Can I tell you how heavenly it will be to spend a whole week, sleeping late and catching up on stuff around the house? It seems like life is so go, go, go during the week that there's barely time to decompress on the weekends. Much less get anything accomplished. Laundry? Mt. Washeteria is beginning to resemble Mt. Fuji, complete with snow-capped peak, in my laundry room. If I let it go too much longer, Godzilla just might crawl out from under there.
*Our klepto student has stopped stealing for the last week or so. Now we've moved on to biting ourselves and blaming it on other people. This school year cannot end fast enough on some counts.
*We did have one of our school "experts" in behavior management come and view the Klepto Kid today. Hopefully, the expert will have some suggestions on how to deal more effectively with her, because I am all out of ideas.
*I'm really bummed because Offspring did not get chosen in the random lottery for an open slot at the Honors Academy next year. She's number 13 on the waiting list. Does it make me a terrible person if I hope 13 people somehow magically get bumped from the acceptance list for one reason or another so she can have a slot? I'm not superstitious, but 13 will be my new lucky number if she gets in.
*This is where I act and think positively, because she was number 40 on the waiting list for PreK, and she still managed to get in. (please, please, please....)
*I really DO NOT want her to go to the school that she will have to attend otherwise if she doesn't get a slot at the Honors Academy. Not a good school academically, and a friend who has children there this school year has already had her son stabbed with a pencil. Twice. And part of the reasoning behind it was that he has CP, and can't get away fast enough. He was an easy mark. Great. Really sounds like a place I want my tender-hearted, bookish child to attend.
*Had a field trip with my Girl Scouts this weekend, and they complained the! whole! way! through it. It was a walking tour that *they* selected! Several of them wanted me to CARRY them! They're ten and eleven years old! I'm fat and out of shape, and I could still walk it! There was a constant refrain of "It's hot. I'm tired!" One lagged behind the entire time, necessitating me to push and shoo her along like she was a recalcitrant cow, or something. Man, I can't *wait* for summer break!
*Is it a bad sign that I'm sitting here, wracking my brain, trying to think of bullets?
Thursday, February 01, 2007
The Good, the Bad, and the "Ugly"
Not very much to report from Casa KLee these days. We've settled into a "let's just get through the week without going on a tri-state killing spree" kind of mentality around here.
*I'm very proud to announce that Offspring won a second place ribbon in her school's Social Science Fair earlier this week. We're all very proud of her, and I hope she goes on to win many more awards.
*I woke up screaming last night from the worst kind of leg cramp that I've ever experienced. NOT something I wish to repeat. Ever. I was literally screaming in pain, tears flowing down my face. I ended up walking with a limp most of today. Have no idea whatsoever of what could've precipitated it. It was akin to what I imagine the sensation of being racked might have felt like.
*I wrote a poem recently. I say "recently" because I'm not sure WHEN exactly I happened to write it. I apparently woke up in the middle of the night not long ago and scrawled it on a paper plate, and then placed it on my trashcan lid beside the bed. Also, I am getting way more eccentric as I age. Leg pain, and now mysterious snippets of poetry littering my bedside.
*My daughter jokingly referred to me as "ugly" earlier this evening. I know she was only playing, but it was amazing how wounded I actually feel. Why? It's not like I haven't often been told how unattractive I am, and how I often casually say that about myself. I guess it's just that you get such unconditional love from your child in the younger years that it cuts to the quick when they realize that you aren't perfect. I know she didn't mean to hurt me -- she was actually only teasing me, but it was like a sword thrust to my heart. My baby is well and truly gone, and we are on the cusp of teenager-dom. I suppose I had better get used to it, as it's most likely *not* the last time I'll hear that one.
*Why is it that I *love* the rain at night when it's lulling me to sleep, but I curse it roundly when it does the same to my students in class? Nevermind the fact that when the classical music is playing, the lights are off, and the rain is softly shusshing outside, that I feel like a nap along with the children. Especially this week. Argh.
*I'm very proud to announce that Offspring won a second place ribbon in her school's Social Science Fair earlier this week. We're all very proud of her, and I hope she goes on to win many more awards.
*I woke up screaming last night from the worst kind of leg cramp that I've ever experienced. NOT something I wish to repeat. Ever. I was literally screaming in pain, tears flowing down my face. I ended up walking with a limp most of today. Have no idea whatsoever of what could've precipitated it. It was akin to what I imagine the sensation of being racked might have felt like.
*I wrote a poem recently. I say "recently" because I'm not sure WHEN exactly I happened to write it. I apparently woke up in the middle of the night not long ago and scrawled it on a paper plate, and then placed it on my trashcan lid beside the bed. Also, I am getting way more eccentric as I age. Leg pain, and now mysterious snippets of poetry littering my bedside.
*My daughter jokingly referred to me as "ugly" earlier this evening. I know she was only playing, but it was amazing how wounded I actually feel. Why? It's not like I haven't often been told how unattractive I am, and how I often casually say that about myself. I guess it's just that you get such unconditional love from your child in the younger years that it cuts to the quick when they realize that you aren't perfect. I know she didn't mean to hurt me -- she was actually only teasing me, but it was like a sword thrust to my heart. My baby is well and truly gone, and we are on the cusp of teenager-dom. I suppose I had better get used to it, as it's most likely *not* the last time I'll hear that one.
*Why is it that I *love* the rain at night when it's lulling me to sleep, but I curse it roundly when it does the same to my students in class? Nevermind the fact that when the classical music is playing, the lights are off, and the rain is softly shusshing outside, that I feel like a nap along with the children. Especially this week. Argh.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Bullets of Blah
Today has been one of those blah kinds of days, so I have no energy to offer you anything more than mere bullets. Please accept my mediocre apology.
* Had a migraine at work today. I think it was brought on by the odor of a solvent that our custodians were using. I really feel for Sue, who seems like she has been dealing with migraines 24/7 lately. So much for that wonder drug they promised you, Sue. Hope you can find some relief soon.
* I have advanced to level 32 of weffriddles, which is a major feat for me, considering that I only allowed myself 30 minutes of solving time yesterday. I think Linda said it best: avoid this crack-like plague if at all possible. And, for what it's worth, I humbly apologize to anyone that I got hooked on it. I'm truly, deeply sorry.
* Watching Offspring play a video game with lots of action and moving around is not exactly helping the migraine. I'm just sayin'.
* Had a coworker ask me if I was losing weight today. No, and I don't think I have, but it's a damn sight better than them telling me how much weight I've packed on. What *is* it with people and the obvious lack of manners that they could just blurt out to someone, "Gosh -- you're gaining some of your weight back!" This has happened to Juggling Freak a few times recently, and it never fails to anger me on his behalf. It really burns my biscuits when fools can't keep their traps shut!
* Offspring got quite a lot of money for her birthday, so she took a large chunk of it and bought some of those Heelys that everyone in the tween set has been wearing. She has not had very much opportunity to roller skate before, so I was afraid that she was going to get discouraged quickly when she couldn't immediately do triple axels right off the bat. And, that she was going to have basically chucked her birthday money down a hole. Cause the Heelys weren't exactly cheap. To my surprise, however, she practiced with them almost every second of the day since she got them, and was fairly proficient in about three days. There have been the odd bumps, bruises, and selected wipeouts, but on the whole, I'm proud that she's kept with it. She would have slept with the blasted things on if I would have let her.
* Over at Andrea's, I made the very rash and hard-to-keep promise to cut back on my crass American consumerism. Among other things, I plan to NOT buy any more crafting supplies until the 10th of February. My goal is to use the more than copious supplies that I already have on hand, and not just fritter away money on stuff that will gather dust. Let's see if I'm able to keep that promise. On the positive side of things, I avoided the craft stores all weekend (even though there were SALES!) because I know how craven and weak I am.
* Speaking of Andrea, I just popped over to her place and saw that today is the day we FINALLY get to open our Winter Holiday exchange packages! Hooray! Heck with you guys -- I'm off to get goodies! I'll take lots of pics, and post the contents of my box tomorrow!
* Had a migraine at work today. I think it was brought on by the odor of a solvent that our custodians were using. I really feel for Sue, who seems like she has been dealing with migraines 24/7 lately. So much for that wonder drug they promised you, Sue. Hope you can find some relief soon.
* I have advanced to level 32 of weffriddles, which is a major feat for me, considering that I only allowed myself 30 minutes of solving time yesterday. I think Linda said it best: avoid this crack-like plague if at all possible. And, for what it's worth, I humbly apologize to anyone that I got hooked on it. I'm truly, deeply sorry.
* Watching Offspring play a video game with lots of action and moving around is not exactly helping the migraine. I'm just sayin'.
* Had a coworker ask me if I was losing weight today. No, and I don't think I have, but it's a damn sight better than them telling me how much weight I've packed on. What *is* it with people and the obvious lack of manners that they could just blurt out to someone, "Gosh -- you're gaining some of your weight back!" This has happened to Juggling Freak a few times recently, and it never fails to anger me on his behalf. It really burns my biscuits when fools can't keep their traps shut!
* Offspring got quite a lot of money for her birthday, so she took a large chunk of it and bought some of those Heelys that everyone in the tween set has been wearing. She has not had very much opportunity to roller skate before, so I was afraid that she was going to get discouraged quickly when she couldn't immediately do triple axels right off the bat. And, that she was going to have basically chucked her birthday money down a hole. Cause the Heelys weren't exactly cheap. To my surprise, however, she practiced with them almost every second of the day since she got them, and was fairly proficient in about three days. There have been the odd bumps, bruises, and selected wipeouts, but on the whole, I'm proud that she's kept with it. She would have slept with the blasted things on if I would have let her.
* Over at Andrea's, I made the very rash and hard-to-keep promise to cut back on my crass American consumerism. Among other things, I plan to NOT buy any more crafting supplies until the 10th of February. My goal is to use the more than copious supplies that I already have on hand, and not just fritter away money on stuff that will gather dust. Let's see if I'm able to keep that promise. On the positive side of things, I avoided the craft stores all weekend (even though there were SALES!) because I know how craven and weak I am.
* Speaking of Andrea, I just popped over to her place and saw that today is the day we FINALLY get to open our Winter Holiday exchange packages! Hooray! Heck with you guys -- I'm off to get goodies! I'll take lots of pics, and post the contents of my box tomorrow!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Holiday Edition Bullets
And now for some random bullets because my brain has officially set off on vacation days:
*I'm sick of shopping, and I still have SO much left to do.
*Buying stuff for my father and stepfather is nigh on impossible. I've got nada in the way of ideas for either of them.
*I am planning to put up our Christmas tree and all of the assorted decorations tonight. Not that I said "planning." I'm also "planning" to do about three loads of laundry and go grocery shopping, but we'll see if all of this manages to get done. I will be utterly surprised if it all works out.
*I am having the HARDEST time keeping my big trap shut about my Secret Gift Person for the Winter Holiday Gift Exchange. I'm finding lots of great gifts, and making a few, but I am having to bite my tongue to ribbons not to give it away, both to my spoilee and to the bloggy community at large.
*I made all of these Christmas cards, and don't have enough people to send them to. I got a little happy with the card making, apparently.
*Had to buy new shoes for Offspring last night as her old ones were squinching up her toes painfully. I am much chagrined to note that her shoe size is now only two sizes smaller than my own. When did she get so big? Who allowed this to happen?
*I have not yet had the wild urge to start baking for the holidays, but I feel sure that it's not far off. I am wondering what in blue blazes I'm going to give out as my gifts this year to staff at school. I'm wondering if I have the time to make all of the items I have my eye on.... Maybe if I don't sleep or go to school....
*I wanted to order a set of fleecy holiday pajamas with cute little penguins on them, but they aren't available for shipping until December 24th. What good are holiday pajamas when they won't even SHIP until Christmas Eve? Still...they do have penguins on them....
*I had that weird dream again last night where all of my teeth are falling out. Can I say how odd it is to really have the sensation that you're spitting out all of your teeth like a hail of watermelon seeds? If the underlying basis of this dream is that I'm a nutjob, I really don't want to know.
*My mother is completely addicted to nutcrackers. She drags them out every Christmas, and has them lining the steps up to the main floor of her house. She must have about 50 of them. Is it enabling if I keep buying them for her?
*Offspring and I have seven and a half school days left until Christmas break. Can I tell you that these days will drag by slower than molasses going up a hill in January in the middle of a blizzard?
*I'm not finding much time (or ideas) for blogging lately. I don't know whether I'm in a slump, or if it's just the regular holiday craziness. I haven't been commenting on blogs much lately, either. I am reading, though. I just haven't got the time. Plus, Offspring and JF are using the computer that I mainly use to blog for computer games, and they've been hogging up the computer. (This is where JF will pop in to tell me that I do have a laptop -- I prefer the larger buttons of the desktop for blogging and computer games. I mainly use the laptop for reading other blogs and for research.)
*I'm sick of shopping, and I still have SO much left to do.
*Buying stuff for my father and stepfather is nigh on impossible. I've got nada in the way of ideas for either of them.
*I am planning to put up our Christmas tree and all of the assorted decorations tonight. Not that I said "planning." I'm also "planning" to do about three loads of laundry and go grocery shopping, but we'll see if all of this manages to get done. I will be utterly surprised if it all works out.
*I am having the HARDEST time keeping my big trap shut about my Secret Gift Person for the Winter Holiday Gift Exchange. I'm finding lots of great gifts, and making a few, but I am having to bite my tongue to ribbons not to give it away, both to my spoilee and to the bloggy community at large.
*I made all of these Christmas cards, and don't have enough people to send them to. I got a little happy with the card making, apparently.
*Had to buy new shoes for Offspring last night as her old ones were squinching up her toes painfully. I am much chagrined to note that her shoe size is now only two sizes smaller than my own. When did she get so big? Who allowed this to happen?
*I have not yet had the wild urge to start baking for the holidays, but I feel sure that it's not far off. I am wondering what in blue blazes I'm going to give out as my gifts this year to staff at school. I'm wondering if I have the time to make all of the items I have my eye on.... Maybe if I don't sleep or go to school....
*I wanted to order a set of fleecy holiday pajamas with cute little penguins on them, but they aren't available for shipping until December 24th. What good are holiday pajamas when they won't even SHIP until Christmas Eve? Still...they do have penguins on them....
*I had that weird dream again last night where all of my teeth are falling out. Can I say how odd it is to really have the sensation that you're spitting out all of your teeth like a hail of watermelon seeds? If the underlying basis of this dream is that I'm a nutjob, I really don't want to know.
*My mother is completely addicted to nutcrackers. She drags them out every Christmas, and has them lining the steps up to the main floor of her house. She must have about 50 of them. Is it enabling if I keep buying them for her?
*Offspring and I have seven and a half school days left until Christmas break. Can I tell you that these days will drag by slower than molasses going up a hill in January in the middle of a blizzard?
*I'm not finding much time (or ideas) for blogging lately. I don't know whether I'm in a slump, or if it's just the regular holiday craziness. I haven't been commenting on blogs much lately, either. I am reading, though. I just haven't got the time. Plus, Offspring and JF are using the computer that I mainly use to blog for computer games, and they've been hogging up the computer. (This is where JF will pop in to tell me that I do have a laptop -- I prefer the larger buttons of the desktop for blogging and computer games. I mainly use the laptop for reading other blogs and for research.)
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Too Tired For Anything But Bullets
Life, Chez KLee, bullet-style.
* I am so tired. My head feels like a watermelon on a toothpick. I hate sinus colds. Thank God it's winding down. I can't take much more of this mess. Thanks to all for the feel-good wishes. I sure need them. And some chocolate.
* I voted, but I'm not sure that my blue-ish votes will help much in my red state. I'm also too depressed to think about elections and candidates and how much they all suck. I got no less than FIVE telephone messages from one dude running for governor -- here's a clue, fella: When you bug me on my phone, it's annoying. When you bug me FIVE TIMES, I'm sure as hell not voting for you, just on principle. Let that be a fact you bring to your campaign people. Once is bad enough. Multiple times is a fast track to unemployment.
* There's a guy outside my house using a leaf blower. Normally this wouldn't be an item worthy of mention, but *it's raining!* This guy needs to be smacked with the clue-by-four.
* We're almost out of butter. Not monumental, but I thought you should know. (I told you I was tired.)
* My students are obviously suffering from "WIC" disease. WIC is shorthand for "When is Christmas?!?!" They are starting to get that holiday fever. Normally, I have one or two who we have to move through our discipline system each day. On a bad day, we've had four or five. Today, we had TEN children who got in trouble. And it's really annoying. I had to bring down the wrath of Teacher on them, and they were NOT happy. It must be a full moon, or there must be something in the water.
* The Jerks next door let their dog poop on our lawn again. Methinks they've forgotten the hood incident. I'm feeling evil, but I may not feel evil enough to face the rain to go out and handle dog excrement.
* I have not yet started to Christmas shop, and I'm dreading it. I LOVE the holidays, but the shopping -- eh, not so much. I'm much more in the mood to make holiday crafts than to buy gifts. I do have a few crafts that I'll be giving away, and I have to make another one of those holiday centerpieces as a hostess gift for a party this Saturday. I hope I have enough oomph to get that going.
Well, I'm about bulleted out. Hope you all are welll. Maybe I can scare up some energy later.
* I am so tired. My head feels like a watermelon on a toothpick. I hate sinus colds. Thank God it's winding down. I can't take much more of this mess. Thanks to all for the feel-good wishes. I sure need them. And some chocolate.
* I voted, but I'm not sure that my blue-ish votes will help much in my red state. I'm also too depressed to think about elections and candidates and how much they all suck. I got no less than FIVE telephone messages from one dude running for governor -- here's a clue, fella: When you bug me on my phone, it's annoying. When you bug me FIVE TIMES, I'm sure as hell not voting for you, just on principle. Let that be a fact you bring to your campaign people. Once is bad enough. Multiple times is a fast track to unemployment.
* There's a guy outside my house using a leaf blower. Normally this wouldn't be an item worthy of mention, but *it's raining!* This guy needs to be smacked with the clue-by-four.
* We're almost out of butter. Not monumental, but I thought you should know. (I told you I was tired.)
* My students are obviously suffering from "WIC" disease. WIC is shorthand for "When is Christmas?!?!" They are starting to get that holiday fever. Normally, I have one or two who we have to move through our discipline system each day. On a bad day, we've had four or five. Today, we had TEN children who got in trouble. And it's really annoying. I had to bring down the wrath of Teacher on them, and they were NOT happy. It must be a full moon, or there must be something in the water.
* The Jerks next door let their dog poop on our lawn again. Methinks they've forgotten the hood incident. I'm feeling evil, but I may not feel evil enough to face the rain to go out and handle dog excrement.
* I have not yet started to Christmas shop, and I'm dreading it. I LOVE the holidays, but the shopping -- eh, not so much. I'm much more in the mood to make holiday crafts than to buy gifts. I do have a few crafts that I'll be giving away, and I have to make another one of those holiday centerpieces as a hostess gift for a party this Saturday. I hope I have enough oomph to get that going.
Well, I'm about bulleted out. Hope you all are welll. Maybe I can scare up some energy later.
Monday, September 18, 2006
A Hail of Bullets
Since I'm low on blog fodder, I decided to let you know what's going on here at Chez KLee via the ever-popular bullets.
* My darling daughter just recieved an award for being the second child in her whole school this year to win a medal for reading. I'm so proud of her! She also got her first middle-of-term grade report, and all her grades were good. She's been doing so well.
* My right foot has been bothering me lately -- well, since last spring, really. I started walking a mile back in April or May, trying to get ready for all the major walking we do at Disney World. While walking, I started getting a sore right foot. It wouldn't bother me so much while I walked, but afterward: oh, the pain! Flash forward to the present: the foot still hurts, but only every now and then, and usually after a long day on my feet, or right upon getting up. Dr. Google (even though Karyn thinks he's an asshat) diagnoses me with plantar fasciitis. The kicker about it is that it's common in overweight people, but you can't walk for exercise because it exacerbates the condition. I broke down and had to buy orthopedic shoes. Fun, no?
* I'm anticipating cooler weather so much! I'm tired of being sweaty, and I'm tired of washing funky laundry. If I didn't sweat so much, the laundry wouldn't be so funky.
* I bought a bunch of new rubber stamps, and I am looking forward to their arrival so I can create some new cards and scrapbook pages. Those projects will probably feature heavily in my box/gift for Andrea's Winter Holiday Gift Exchange. I'll be stampin' like a madwoman! If I have your address, watch out -- you may be getting a card from me!
* JF is really excited -- he's potentially found a juggling buddy! Said friend will be teaching him to pass clubs, so he's really into the whole idea of having a partner, since I am hopelessly inept at juggling. (I'm lucky that I can walk a straight line most days.) He also found this video of the juggling guy that he's so in awe of, and has been torturing me with it for the last couple of days.
* School is going fairly well, but it's hard to believe that we've been in class a whole month now. We're on the start of week five, and already they've learned a lot. We have some challenges ahead, but it's nothing we can't overcome with hard work.
Well, that's pretty much all that's happening here. Excitement abounds, right? Oh, well. We can't all have cute kids who charm the pants off people everywhere and utter bloggable posts every time they blink! I'd never get anything done!
* My darling daughter just recieved an award for being the second child in her whole school this year to win a medal for reading. I'm so proud of her! She also got her first middle-of-term grade report, and all her grades were good. She's been doing so well.
* My right foot has been bothering me lately -- well, since last spring, really. I started walking a mile back in April or May, trying to get ready for all the major walking we do at Disney World. While walking, I started getting a sore right foot. It wouldn't bother me so much while I walked, but afterward: oh, the pain! Flash forward to the present: the foot still hurts, but only every now and then, and usually after a long day on my feet, or right upon getting up. Dr. Google (even though Karyn thinks he's an asshat) diagnoses me with plantar fasciitis. The kicker about it is that it's common in overweight people, but you can't walk for exercise because it exacerbates the condition. I broke down and had to buy orthopedic shoes. Fun, no?
* I'm anticipating cooler weather so much! I'm tired of being sweaty, and I'm tired of washing funky laundry. If I didn't sweat so much, the laundry wouldn't be so funky.
* I bought a bunch of new rubber stamps, and I am looking forward to their arrival so I can create some new cards and scrapbook pages. Those projects will probably feature heavily in my box/gift for Andrea's Winter Holiday Gift Exchange. I'll be stampin' like a madwoman! If I have your address, watch out -- you may be getting a card from me!
* JF is really excited -- he's potentially found a juggling buddy! Said friend will be teaching him to pass clubs, so he's really into the whole idea of having a partner, since I am hopelessly inept at juggling. (I'm lucky that I can walk a straight line most days.) He also found this video of the juggling guy that he's so in awe of, and has been torturing me with it for the last couple of days.
* School is going fairly well, but it's hard to believe that we've been in class a whole month now. We're on the start of week five, and already they've learned a lot. We have some challenges ahead, but it's nothing we can't overcome with hard work.
Well, that's pretty much all that's happening here. Excitement abounds, right? Oh, well. We can't all have cute kids who charm the pants off people everywhere and utter bloggable posts every time they blink! I'd never get anything done!
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
It's Raining Bullets!
And now for something completely bullets:
* My mother is celebrating her 60th birthday this weekend. I don't think my mother even knows what a blog is, but if she's somehow managed to find my blog: Mom -- Happy Birthday! I love you bunches!
A little you should know about my mom -- she's not your typical 60 year old. She rides a Harley. She asked me to buy her leather chaps one year for her birthday, so she could wear them while she rides. Do you all know how freaky-weird it is to try and buy leather chaps for your mother?!?!? Trust me. It's like living inside a Picasso painting. My mother likes to go get rip-snorting drunk on the weekends and sing karaoke. She's more a force of nature than the typical idea of a Mom. It's never dull with her around.
*Mom's having a theme birthday party this weekend. The theme is "Cowboys and Indians." Offspring and JF have elected to go as cowboys, and I'll be the Indian Contingent. I will have to get pictures. Not that we'll be home at a decent hour, but I figure if I get any good shots, I can post them eventually, whenever my contact-hangover goes away. Theme or not, Mom usually throws pretty good parties. There's always lots of noise around my mother. Granted, she's usually the one making all the noise, but that's really beside the point. It's lively, is what I'm saying.
*Since I posted the Praline Cookie recipe, one of the commenters suggested that we do a cookie swap. I like this idea. I suggested that if anyone really has the hots to organize this, they are quite welcome to do so. If not, I will be very glad to organize it. I am envisioning an exchange, much like Andrea's Winter Holiday Gift Extravaganza, but I was thinking that we might want to go with a time other than Christmas. That time of year is so packed already. Maybe right before, like around the time of the American Thanksgiving? In addition, I'll think up a questionnaire, so that participants can record likes and dislikes, and any allergies that might be a problem. If you are interested, drop me an email (mistresskoflee@yahoo.com), and I'll get a list of people wanting to take part together.
*We are getting lots of nasty weather from Ernesto, but I have hopes that nasty weather is the most that we'll see from him. Lots of rain, and a few gusts, but that's about the end of it. Just the way I like it. At least it'll cool off the heat wave. It was so hot today, the asphalt was bubbling as I left school.
*Offspring came home with a note from her teacher that she did so well in a class discussion the other day that he awarded her a no-homework pass. Yay, Offspring! Mr. Teacher also sent home a rather long letter to parents about teaching the children self-suffiency and the importance of goal-setting. His plan is that each student has to outline a goal that they want to attain this year, and then DO it, and provide proof along the way. For example, Student A wants to read 50 books during the year. Student A will keep a log of the books read, and will take Accelerated Reader tests on the books s/he reads (if there are tests available.) Student A will also hand in a report on his/her favorite book. Offspring came up with what I consider to be a pretty unique goal all on her own: she wants to build (and demonstrate to her class) a working scale model of a catapult. So, at some point, I'm sure you'll see pictures posted here.
*Why am I almost 36 years old, and still breaking out in pimples? Wasn't I promised that this would all end when I reached adulthood? Or is this going to be like the retirement age -- by the time I reach it, they keep pushing it further and further back? I don't like "them." "They" lie. These were also the people who swore that childbirth didn't hurt.
*I lost a student already. This sweet little girl was in my class for two weeks and then moved. I understand the need (on the one hand) for the parent to make sure the child gets as much out of her education as possible, but isn't that a LOT of paperwork? As sad as I am to see her go, she was a distraction. She was a hummer, meaning that she unconsciously hummed all. day. long! No matter how many times I told her to stop, she hummed. After like the fifth time in an hour one day, she looked me deep into the eyes and said, "I'm annoying." I did not disagree with her. I hope she does well at her new school, and I'm sorry I only had two weeks with her, humming and all.
*I hate washing dishes. Unfortunately, I have no dishwasher, and it's time for me to cook dinner, so I must go do this now. Happy Wednesday, everyone!
* My mother is celebrating her 60th birthday this weekend. I don't think my mother even knows what a blog is, but if she's somehow managed to find my blog: Mom -- Happy Birthday! I love you bunches!
A little you should know about my mom -- she's not your typical 60 year old. She rides a Harley. She asked me to buy her leather chaps one year for her birthday, so she could wear them while she rides. Do you all know how freaky-weird it is to try and buy leather chaps for your mother?!?!? Trust me. It's like living inside a Picasso painting. My mother likes to go get rip-snorting drunk on the weekends and sing karaoke. She's more a force of nature than the typical idea of a Mom. It's never dull with her around.
*Mom's having a theme birthday party this weekend. The theme is "Cowboys and Indians." Offspring and JF have elected to go as cowboys, and I'll be the Indian Contingent. I will have to get pictures. Not that we'll be home at a decent hour, but I figure if I get any good shots, I can post them eventually, whenever my contact-hangover goes away. Theme or not, Mom usually throws pretty good parties. There's always lots of noise around my mother. Granted, she's usually the one making all the noise, but that's really beside the point. It's lively, is what I'm saying.
*Since I posted the Praline Cookie recipe, one of the commenters suggested that we do a cookie swap. I like this idea. I suggested that if anyone really has the hots to organize this, they are quite welcome to do so. If not, I will be very glad to organize it. I am envisioning an exchange, much like Andrea's Winter Holiday Gift Extravaganza, but I was thinking that we might want to go with a time other than Christmas. That time of year is so packed already. Maybe right before, like around the time of the American Thanksgiving? In addition, I'll think up a questionnaire, so that participants can record likes and dislikes, and any allergies that might be a problem. If you are interested, drop me an email (mistresskoflee@yahoo.com), and I'll get a list of people wanting to take part together.
*We are getting lots of nasty weather from Ernesto, but I have hopes that nasty weather is the most that we'll see from him. Lots of rain, and a few gusts, but that's about the end of it. Just the way I like it. At least it'll cool off the heat wave. It was so hot today, the asphalt was bubbling as I left school.
*Offspring came home with a note from her teacher that she did so well in a class discussion the other day that he awarded her a no-homework pass. Yay, Offspring! Mr. Teacher also sent home a rather long letter to parents about teaching the children self-suffiency and the importance of goal-setting. His plan is that each student has to outline a goal that they want to attain this year, and then DO it, and provide proof along the way. For example, Student A wants to read 50 books during the year. Student A will keep a log of the books read, and will take Accelerated Reader tests on the books s/he reads (if there are tests available.) Student A will also hand in a report on his/her favorite book. Offspring came up with what I consider to be a pretty unique goal all on her own: she wants to build (and demonstrate to her class) a working scale model of a catapult. So, at some point, I'm sure you'll see pictures posted here.
*Why am I almost 36 years old, and still breaking out in pimples? Wasn't I promised that this would all end when I reached adulthood? Or is this going to be like the retirement age -- by the time I reach it, they keep pushing it further and further back? I don't like "them." "They" lie. These were also the people who swore that childbirth didn't hurt.
*I lost a student already. This sweet little girl was in my class for two weeks and then moved. I understand the need (on the one hand) for the parent to make sure the child gets as much out of her education as possible, but isn't that a LOT of paperwork? As sad as I am to see her go, she was a distraction. She was a hummer, meaning that she unconsciously hummed all. day. long! No matter how many times I told her to stop, she hummed. After like the fifth time in an hour one day, she looked me deep into the eyes and said, "I'm annoying." I did not disagree with her. I hope she does well at her new school, and I'm sorry I only had two weeks with her, humming and all.
*I hate washing dishes. Unfortunately, I have no dishwasher, and it's time for me to cook dinner, so I must go do this now. Happy Wednesday, everyone!
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