walked around downtown with dad... then i stumbled into/upon a survivalist store... unsuspecting me... their sign was so inocuous.

At an alpaca ranch in New Mexico. I'm with my parents and some friends. We had a tasty dinner, followed by birthday cobbler.

I lost at Scrabble, but just bottle-fed a baby alpaca... talk about adorable! I think that more than makes up for my defeat!

I'll try to get some pictures of the critters while I'm here. I forgot my camera :(

/bangs head on desk....

But Mom and Dad both brought cameras and they're willing to share.

What a day...

I'm officially 32 years old.

We had a massive staff potluck/lunch. And if that didn't do it then it must have been the 4 cakes that filled me up.

Vanilla cake with home-made chocolate icing and fondant computer mice:


Chocolate cake with home-made vanilla icing and a computer screen with the apple logo:


Another chocolate cake with vanilla icing (the kids got to it before I could get a pic of the entire cake):


There was a pumpkin cake made by another student (and his mom), but it was gone before the camera came out too....

And my first class of the day started off right....


There were also 3 balloons (one signed by staff and students), assorted candy and cards.... And the one that really made me want to cry... A student that gave me chips and sesame seeds - part of his lunch. He wouldn't take no for an answer.... he wanted to give me something and I know that's all he had.

Days like today make me think I could never do anything else...

Threw a party tonight.... 10 people (including me) and 2 dogs (including Kaylee). Sheba was relegated to the upstairs bedroom... we were very cozy.

Was a good party. They even brought me a cake and flowers :)

/feels loved

Number 32 is around the corner... this coming Thursday.

Well the voters of Colorado defeated the three measures which could have been detrimental to Education, Transportation and pretty much ALL public services. I'm very grateful to them.

Of course the governor just released his budget which reflects a GIANT rescission to Colorado Education. Potential cuts this year of another $500,000 and next year another $900,000.

/sigh

One more reason to love Glee...

Like I needed one...

New guest star (rumored to be a 'series regular' soon-ish), Darren Criss, and his "Warblers" singing.... /sigh

Just Dance

Most fun I've had in a long time.... Wii's Just Dance.

Note to self:

When the smell of cooked or raw fish/seafood makes you feel nauseous do NOT - under any circumstances - go down to the 7th grade science classroom when they are dissecting sharks. No matter how "cool" your students say it is.

I can still smell it...

/shudder