3 things

1. I finally finished Wicked (the book) last night. It's been a long, 4 month journey. I forced myself to finish it... because I've wanted to read it forever. I watched the musical first - LOVED it, then read the book - didn't love it. The book is very dark and I think the witch goes insane there at the end... cuz it stopped making sense to me... but, I finished it.

2. I'm on my way to Denver to see the Allergy Specialist. Last week, out of the blue, I had an allergic reaction to some unknown thing, which resulted in a very ugly, very itchy, slightly painful rash across my upper chest. I went to a local doctor last Friday and she diagnosed it as "contact dermatitis," but we could not isolate the cause. I've decided to go to the Allergy Specialist today, in hopes that he might be able to figure out what caused it. I've never had a reaction like that and I REALLY don't want to go through it again.

3. I hope to see Iron Man 2 while in Denver :)

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers :)

Aya even wished me a Happy Mother's Day, because I have a cat and a dog and I'm like a mother to them :)

Gleeful

Just when I think I should call it my "guilty pleasure," Glee rocks the house and I'm proud to be a Gleek!

Tonight's episode = MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice AND Olivia Newton-John... and one of my all-time favorites, Total Eclipse of the Heart (Bonnie Tyler) in one episode. It was almost TOO much to process - I'll just have to watch it again tomorrow!

And soon, I'm SOOOOO excited, an episode starring Neil Patrick Harris, directed by Joss Whedon.

I might swoon.

If you hear ecstatic screams/laughter/sobs coming from the direction of Colorado ---- it *might* be me!

Pics

The surprisingly large snow yesterday morning:



The kids got me flowers for helping to direct the play - one kid got me the purple and white ones and the group got me a dozen orange roses :)

The Wizard of Oz

Tonight was our production of The Wizard of Oz.

The kids ROCKED THE HOUSE!

I'm SO proud of them.

I was really worried last week, but they definitely came through in the end!

went 2 sleep w/rainy sounds. woke up to 5 inches of snow - and still accumilating!

raindrops on my metal roof. very soothing. goodnight world.

Just watched Ninja Assassain and I've gotta say... I loved it! Surprised? Me too.

He was right...

I turned on the TV and was met by an old man proclaiming how Germany's Military is an evil bully - the new Holy Roman Empire. He was quoting Herbert W. Armstrong and saying his prophecies were correct - while telling you that you shouldn't trust what any man says or you are cursed (from the bible). And apparently the Middle East's problems originate from Germany.

Basically, he was preaching hate against Germany and using Hitler, the bible, and Armstrong as an examples.

Where has he been for the last 65 years?

Gotta love Sunday Morning TV...

I'm disgusted.

Time to go for a drive and get in tune with nature.

65 degrees and sunn yesterday. windy and snowy 2day. that's springtime in the mountains!

Zappos.com Puppet Commercial - Jessie

LOL

hmmm... to Target or not to Target... uhm yeah. that's a no-brainer!

7:20am to 7:10pm. Long day. Sleepy time.

Kaylee and i are Memphis, TX enjoying a Sonic burger. Listening to garden spell on audio cd. Really interesting... making time fly.

Spring Break 2010

Family, friends, lunches, model rockets, attempted kite flying and a cool breeze.

Overall, a good trip back to Texas... but ended with a bang.

Spent last night in the emergency room with mom - she accidentally doubled up on all her medicine last night (diabetes and blood pressure). I "slept/sat" in the hospital chair in her room all night.

She's fine. They just kept her overnight/morning to monitor her and make sure nothing dropped too low.

I didn't really get any sleep last night, but I managed to get 3 hours of sleep this afternoon. Now I need a good night's sleep so I can get up and drive 14 hours back to Colorado.

everything's so green here. shock 2 the system after months of all brown and white. only 1 allergy attack so far. yay 4 tex-mex! num num!

clean bathroom. yummy vanilla latte. 2 compliments on my shirt. gotta love Starbucks :) makes up 4 snowy 1.5 hr drive over pass. ok so far.

Yup. That's about right

Just when all the snow around town had melted and the weather was turning beautiful... We get a nice spring snow storm today....

It wasn't enough that today was April Fool's Day AND the last day before Spring Break... nope... the server HAD to crash at the end of 3rd hour. No server = no computers = inventive teaching in a "Computer Class."

Good times.

But I survived. I'm gonna get some dinner, go pack for my trip home and then I'm gonna go to bed early. Again.

Spring is in the air

It's been in the 50's the last few days and the snow is almost all gone, except for what's on top of the mountains.

The wind has been howling like crazy every night and the red-breasted robins were out singing this afternoon when I get home from work.

Tomorrow is April and next week is Spring Break.

Yup.

It's that time of the year.

Spring Break Inc!

I worked late every night last week and every day the weekend before.

I worked a bit this last weekend, but I also managed to get some rest.

We had an extra rehearsal for play practice, I had to get the yearbook done, and it was the end of the quarter so all grades and comments for all my students were due.

Oofda.

Just have to get the comments done by the end of the day tomorrow and I'll be all caught up.

Thank goodness next week is our Spring Break.

I'm looking forward to relaxing at home with the family and the critters.

3 good things from today

1. I had something happen today that makes me believe I might still have a job even after next year :)

2. Several girls from the school play were asking if I would be teaching the new drama class next year - and were disappointed when I said no. Which I translate to: they like me and I'm good at it!

3. I'm my own best friend... Kaylee!

Your results:
You are Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic)

Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic) 85% Dr. Simon Tam (Ship Medic) 85% Malcolm Reynolds (Captain) 60% Derrial Book (Shepherd) 55% Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command) 50% Wash (Ship Pilot) 40% Inara Serra (Companion) 25% River (Stowaway) 25% Alliance 20% Jayne Cobb (Mercenary) 15% A Reaver (Cannibal) 5%

You are good at fixing things. You are usually cheerful. You appreciate being treated with delicacy and specialness.

Click here to take the "Which Serenity character are you?" quiz...


And because the play we're doing is The Wizard of Oz, I've finally started reading Wicked... so far - so good.

helped set up, chaperone, and clean up our 1st annual semi-formal dance. SO tired, but totally worth it. was awesome. now, to sleep!

Great Futures Colorado

Here's a video from Great Futures Colorado that sums it up in 32 seconds:



And the map for that.

no matter what, kids are going 2 lose out. our job is 2 minimize the affects of the budget crunch. hope i can do my part.

rough district staff mtg 2day. super int. laid it all on the line. next 3-4 yrs r goin 2 be HARD. hope i can hold onto my job throughout it.

50 degrees felt quite warm 2day. warmest we've been in months. now it's cold enough 2 use electric blanket. that's life in the mountains 4 ya :)

Sunday's Pictures

I went to the park to try and find some wildlife, but was unsuccessful.

Mountains always make for a good picture:


On a different road I did find these:




And on the way home I caught this guy eye-balling me:

Dear Mom & Dad

Remember how you guys used to always nag me to "use common sense!"

Well, I'm here to tell you that the amount of common sense you have is, at least partially, related to age. There are of course those random exceptions.: students who are ahead of the developmental curve, students who have learned the hard way, and adults who just never developed a healthy amount of it.

I submit to you the following two examples from this afternoon as proof positive that, at least in part, common sense is related to age.

Example A:

After school, at play practice, we had a student pick up a paint can by the inner ring... aka the lid.

Yup.

The lid popped right off and the entire thing fell onto the floor.

Paint everywhere.

On the carpet.

And the kids was shocked.

Example B:

After we had managed to somewhat clean up that mess, thank you SO much to the lovely custodian, we had another incident.

The large set piece had been laid out, on top of newspaper, and painted.

The other teacher and I were in back and when we came out to the front, after all the kids had left, we were greeted with kid-sized, black paint shoe prints all over the commons area.

Someone *student* had walked onto the still-drying set piece and then walked onto the tile floor with their black-painted shoes.

I spent 20 minutes after rehearsal on my hands and knees scrubbing the floor so the custodian wouldn't have to clean up after us again.

Someone from MN

I've added a new link to my blog roll: Taylor S Smith

I went to school with him at BSU, we share some mutual friends and were in ceramics together.

Nice guy. Awesome artist.

He also has an online portfolio.

Thwarted

I made it halfway down the other side of the pass - on my way to see the allergy doctor - only to learn that the pass was closed. Apparently an avalanche was being cleared away and it took several hours.

I wish I hadn't wasted an hour each direction and a 1/4 tank of gas.

On the plus side I ran into a friend on the way back and we had brunch at a neat little place I'd never been to... it was good to chat with her and her kids and the food was delicious.

helped break up a fight 2day AND yelled at girl who slapped a boy (and boy 4 deserving it) AND a half day of testing. thank god 4 trivia.

Melting

It snowed a good bit yesterday and it is snowing right now... yet we have LESS snow accumulation now than we did on Monday. It's warm enough to melt the snow on the ground, but cold enough to snow.

Odd.

Another sign that Spring is on the way.

Cutbacks

We're all feeling it...

We're all hearing it...

"Tough economic times..."

That horrible grating sound of an empty bank account...

People are losing jobs...

We started out the week with an early morning staff meeting on Monday. The main topics of conversation: a. The two people in my building who have been told they're not rehired - one is being bumped for someone with seniority and the other's position is being cut. b. The principal also informed us that instead of 9 cuts throughout the district, it's looking more like 17 cuts.

Seventeen.

That's more than 10-15% of the district... How can we even function like that?

I don't know.

These are dark times for education.

I'm safe for now, but nobody is sure when/where more cuts will be coming.

They're calling a district wide staff meeting next Wednesday, after school, to discuss budget issues and projected cuts.

I'm going to keep my toes crossed. I'm not safe yet... and if I do wind up safe for this year there is NOTHING that says they won't cut me next year.

Scary.

And I feel really bad for the two women at my school who were cut... one of them has lived in the county for 30 years.

Comments?

I *think* I fixed the commenting issue... for really real this time :)

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow... better late than never.

Dancing with the Stars

I tried several times to watch The Bachelor, out of curiosity... but it was just too weird to see all the drama, kisses and tears revolving around someone I remember as a goofy-ish teen.

Sorry Jake.

I did fast forward through last nights episode so I could see who he picked... and I hope he's very happy with his choice.

But now he's signed up for
Dancing with the Stars, a show I actually enjoy... I guess I'll wind up watching him on TV after all.

I'll just have to split my votes between Jake and Evan Lysacek.

woah! slow down little town! we just got a 2nd stoplight - a mcdonald's is opening soon - AND now a Subway? we're just exploding! crazy!

Comments sorted

I think... maybe...

Let me know?

Co-pilot

Hmmm...

No idea what's wrong with my comments....
/sigh

Too tired to figure it out tonight - will try again tomorrow.

Another school shooting...

This one happening at a Denver Middle School... not too far from the Columbine High School...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/23/deer-creek-middle-school_n_473943.html

Scary.

Back in the saddle again

I missed ALL of last week due to my sinus infection and we had yesterday off for a 4-day weekend. That means I had 11 days off in a row. These days were spent sleeping, reading, and watching the Olympics.

At no point during those 11 days did I hear 200+ rowdy students.
At no point during those 11 days did I have to yell at anyone.
At no point during those 11 days did I yell at or get talked back to by anyone.

Yes, I was sick and miserable and in pain... but the up-side presents itself.

Today was a rough day back. I really don't like being gone - for oh-so many reasons...
1. I'm a neat freak and I have a place for everything, but when I'm gone things out of order so I have to re-order and hunt for stuff.
2. The kids tend to "forget" the rules.
3. I have no idea where any of my students are on their assignments.

And of course the longer I am gone the worse these things get.

Add to that a 4-day weekend where kids slept very little and were not ready to come back to school...

Add the fact that I had after school tutoring today - full of kids who cause trouble in class and don't get their work done when they're supposed to...

And... yeah... it was a long first day back.

But I survived it and we only have 2 more days of this week!

And I should also add that I did receive a warm welcome back from many of my students "Ms. E! You're alive! You're back!? Are you better?"

So it wasn't all bad.

I'm just tired.

5 Things I Love About The Olympics

In between hours of snoozing, sneezing, sniffling and being down-right miserable I've been trying to keep up with the Olympics - thank you TiVo. Here's a list of 5 things I love about the Olympics:

5. They happen only once every 2/4 years so they feel special.

4. I enjoy seeing/learning about the countries they take place in.

3. It's the only time I watch sports of any kind, outside of the Cowboys, so it's refreshing.

2. Learning fun names for tricks/moves in different sports, such as the "kickin' chicken" in snowboarding.

1. I find myself hoping and praying for the good performances of people I knew nothing about 5 minutes before - thanks to the 2-3 minute piece about their life story/bid for the Olympics.

started feeling sniffley yesterday. now i have a full-blown sinus infection. stayed home from school. /sigh. these are becoming a habit.

my hunt for the elusive CO big game was a bust. the fresh coat of snow created a beauty all its own. love the frosty winter wonderland look.

Feeling the love

Worked at the MS girls basketball tournament - keeping score - this morning.

It was fun to go and support my students and Kaylee was able to go. She loves going to things like that because people are always falling all over her - yes, she's THAT adorable.

Had a short chat with the town's mayor (who is also the mother of one of my students) and she says she's going to put in a good word for me with the superintendent. She says I should definitely keep my job. There are a LOT fingers in the pot and a lot of factors that go into the decision, but it is always nice to know you're appreciated.

I've got to spend this afternoon working on the yearbook... only 1 month left until that's due.

And maybe, if they play their cards right, I'll get some snuggling with a kitty and puppy.

Final count....

Dad went out and measured.... 15 inches of snow.

In Texas.

Ridiculous.

Let it snow.... Please?

This is ridiculous.

The east coast is buried in snow.

Dallas/Ft. Worth has received 10 + inches in the last 12 hours and it's still snowing.

I live in Colorado, in the mountains, 5 minutes from one ski resort and 15 minutes from two other ski resorts... and we have what... 2 inches of snow?

Ridiculous.

Long couple of weeks

- write-ups
- argumentative students
- overheard things I had to report
- more talk about budget cuts
- stress
- lack of sleep
- fights broken up
- major problems happening with kids' families

I really needed tonight.

I went to trivia with the new teacher from school and there were 5 other people on our team. We did pretty well.

I knew it was gonna be a good night when the first question was: "What country's native population refers to it as Aotearoa?"

Answer: New Zealand!

Next round, first question: "What's the sea that separates Australia and New Zealand?"

Answer: Tasman Sea

Third round, first question: "Aotearoa means 'Land of the long white THIS'"

Answer: cloud

Boo to the ya!

There was also a question in the third round about Sir Edmund Hillary's job before he climbed Mt. Everest... I had heard, but forgotten the answer - bee keeper.

In addition to the NZ questions I knew several other answers. It felt good :)

AND I learned that one of the guys who comes to trivia off and on knows sign language. He was talking to me and signed a word... I don't think he realized he was doing it. I signed my answer back and we both got excited. He knows A LOT more than me, because he grew up with it - he's mostly deaf in one ear. I hope he keeps coming so we can sign together!

Overall, it was a very good night and just what I needed.

Can you help "Us" ?

I just got the following message (via Facebook) from an Us Weekly magazine reporter:

"We are working on a story about Jake Pavelka, The Bachelor, and we're looking for classmates to share fun stories and fun photos with Us for our article! Our readers love him and we want to include a fun walk down memory lane for them! Let me know if you or anyone you know could help! We close tonight. Thanks!!!"

At least I went to High School with a Bachelor that people "love."

LoL

me: "What do we know about blogs?"
student: "They start with a 'B' and end with a 'S'"

lunch time. blissfully quiet. resisting urge 2 lock doors and not let "them" back in. but that won't do... must persevere... /sigh

TOTALLY worth it

finally at the theater. wtg 4 Avatar. Better be worth it!

does that baby have a mohawk? yes, yes he does... and it's kind of awesome :)

working gate at hs basketball tourney. opposing team's coach screams at the boys. entertianing and aggravating at the same time.

Lions and Tigers and Bears!

Oh my!

I've volunteered to help out our 1st-year music teacher who has taken on the ENORMOUS task of producing/directing a musical for our school. We don't have a drama department, but apparently there was enough interest amongst the kids. She has 20 kids for the production of The Wizard of Oz and she was all alone. I told her I'd be happy to help out - I always love music and theater when I was in school. It means staying until 6pm on Mondays for the next couple of months, but it will be better for her and the kids.

In other news... There were two sitings of a mountain lion in my neighborhood at the end of last week. One was about a half a mile down the street. Kaylee is on a VERY short leash. Poor baby, she loves to run!

We won the third round of trivia, but lost overall. And I learned that a group of tigers is called a streak or an ambush. Who knew? Not us.

Hmm... I got nothing for bears... oh wait, there's an adorable German Shepherd mix at the pound that needs a home... his name is Bear!

Ha!

Take that L. Frank Baum!

LoL!

I love being told how stupid I am, but my favorite has to be when a student informs me their mom is a lawyer and she is going to sue me - though the student can't really give me a reason other than I'm being horrible to them (aka making them follow the rules).

That's just awesome!

I didn't laugh in the student's face.... much. I did, however, inform that student that I didn't have ANYTHING worth suing over... I don't own anything other than some dvds, a tv, and my clothes. I'm a second year, single, teacher. So good luck with that!

School Finance

I haven't really gone into detail about this yet, but my school district is in a major financial pickle. We're just one of many school districts throughout the country that are in the same boat.

There are a lot of factors that go into this, including:

1. We are very isolated and if a family/parent loses a job they don't have a lot of other prospects. As a result of the current economy we've lost several families/students to bigger districts. A family with four kids just moved to Arkansas for the Dad's job last week. For each kid we lose the district loses thousands of dollars in funding from the state.

2. The county has lost millions in unpaid property taxes (because people can't afford to pay them) and a hefty chunk of that money would go to local schools.

3. Rising costs of... well, everything.

The district is talking about major cuts. We've already cut over $500,000 since last year and we need to cut $1 million next year and over a $1.2 million from the following year's budget.

The number one (and really only) spot in a school district's budget to make big cuts is in personnel. The superintendent sent out an email last Thursday saying that there was a motion before the board to cut 9 positions from next year and she outlined the district's policy of letting probationary teachers go first. This is perfectly normal, but unfortunately I fall under that category until the end of next school year.

Educating the Teacher

As I just posted, I'm at a tech conference/workshop/class in Denver. We've just finished the morning session and I have 3 pages (single-spaced) of typed notes... and the afternoon session still ahead of me.

I'm overflowing with ideas and excited to hear some more! It's going to take quite a bit of time to process all of this! And I haven't even cracked the idea/handbook that came with the class. YAY!

At the same time I'm worrying about how long I'll have to implement these new ideas...

at tech class/workshop. LOADS of info coming my way. brain hurts, but in a good way. feeling inspired! and only 1/2 way done!

well that's not good. motion b4 board 2 cut 9 positions 4 next year. only 3 retirees and last in = first out... /sigh. i love my job.

Woot! School district is paying 4 me 2 go 2 a workshop on Friday 2 learn more about using tech in classes. Should get a book full of ideas!

*breathes a DEEP sigh of relief* i passed test #2 to bcome a CO tcher. that's #8 total... i should get official license in the mail soon :)

Stuck

It really was one of those weekends.

It started out Friday night with me trying to move my treadmill and getting it stuck in the doorway. Very, very stuck. I finally had to disassemble part of it before I managed to get it unstuck yesterday afternoon.

This afternoon I went to my favorite Mexican restaurant and on the way home I managed to get my car EXTREMELY stuck in a snow drift. I couldn't dig it out at all and the couple of friends I called weren't answering.

As I was walking back to the restaurant to ask for help I passed two guys and a girl taking their two dogs for a walk. I asked if they knew anyone I could call to help get me unstuck and they offered to help. They attempted to push me out and when that didn't work they said they'd go get some shovels and would be back to help me.

I waited almost 20 minutes and it was getting dark... it was around 0 degrees, windy and nasty... and I was getting worried they might not come back... So... I went back to the restaurant where the hostess called her boyfriend to come help me. I decided to walk back to my car and said I would meet them there.

When I got back to my car I found the first two guys digging furiously - one of them was actually UNDER my car with the shovel. I feel UNBELIEVABLY guilty for thinking they might not come back. Between the two guys digging and pushing and the boyfriend and his 4-wheel drive truck pulling they got me unstuck.

Nobody would accept any money, so I offered as many thank yous as I could before they drove away.

Good Samaritans, I salute you.

Tivo is SO the way 2 watch award shows. Yay 4 Glee and Robert Downey Jr = best speech i've heard in a LONG time =O)

Dropping the ball

Last night's bowling took FOREVER. We were bowling on lanes 3 and 4, but lane 4 was broken so really we had 2 teams bowling on lane 3. It took us over 2 hours to get through 1 and a half games. By that time several other teams were done and we moved over to 2 working lanes. Unfortunately, that seemed to throw everyone off and everybody's (both teams) scores went whack-a-doo. It was a pretty frustrating night.

Oh well.

Last night's Dollhouse, on the other hand, was pretty much amazing. I expected a death and was rewarded... if you can call it that. That's just what Joss does. He creates the amazing characters that we fall in love with and then BAM tragic death scene. It's so cruel, but it's how Joss rolls.

Only one episode left.

Fox is evil/stupid.

Joss Whedon is a genius.

right now = mexican food and live music. next up, bowling. then home 4 sleep and 2morrow hot date in Denver w/RussL! yay 4 MN friend in CO.

girls lost. action off court WAY more interesting. cops called 2 prevent brawl. watched my student being frisked. a night 2 remember.

watching my girls basketball team. tied 4 - 4.

Gray day

Kaylee's (and my) Christmas present from my parents was a new kennel. Her old one was all metal and she could reach through the sides to claw at stuff (floor, pillows, carpet, etc). Her new kennel is a nice, big, dark gray plastic one with solid sides.

This morning I put her in her kennel, as usual, and then I came home during 7th hour (my planning period) to let her out. I could hear her exclaiming her joy at my arrival as I climbed the stairs and when I let her out a gray streak zoomed past her... much to my surprise.

Sheba made it down the hall and halfway through the bedroom before she stopped - turned around - squawked rudely at me - then proceeded directly to her food bowl where she ate as though she had been without food for a good week.

I've got one seriously hissed off kitty cat.

Kaylee HAS to be in the kennel because she suffers from separation anxiety and tears up anything and everything she can get her paws or teeth on in my absence. Sheba, on the other hand, is an angel. There is absolutely no need for her to be kenneled. She must have been asleep in the kennel this morning (or just checking it out) when I locked Kaylee in it.

Dark gray cat. Dark gray kennel.

Easy mistake.

But try telling her that...

I've got some serious smoozing to do tonight!

if u can stand the pain of going up n over the mtn pass, coming down 2 denver is the best thing 4 a sinus infctn. can breath thru BOTH sides

made stuffed zuc 2nite = num. watched Dollhouse = OMG! nother test 2morrow 4 CO tchg license = UGH! and only 2 more eps of Dollhouse = Waah!

Something Old and Something New

As you may have noticed on my Twitter, it's COLD here. Reminds me of Minnesota. I know I've had much colder (up to -60), but Colorado doesn't seem to stay quite as cold for quite as long as Minnesota. As a result, I've forgotten how it feels to shiver! I love "cool" weather and even "cold" weather, but my range of comfort stops at about -20. That's just plain uncomfortable/miserable.

As for the something new... We had book club tonight, where we discussed our latest book, Little Women, and we rolled our own sushi. Mine was beautiful and delicious! Nori (seaweed wrap), rice, yellow pepper, avocado, baby spinach leaves, shredded carrots, cucumber and cream cheese. Yummy-yum-yums! I can now make it myself and I actually enjoy it (minus the fish)!

::::::::::::::::::

My trip back to Texas was fun and productive. I went through some more boxes and "purged" things I hadn't even seen in 8 years. Found a "Time Capsule" letter 12th grade me wrote to future me for a Keyboarding class - apparently I was should have wound up as a marine biologist or a zoologist. I helped Mom and Dad in their goal of building a website for their fiber business. I also helped them with various computer/tv/cable/electronic issues. I made chicken parmigiana for my Italian family's Christmas dinner. I saw most of my family and quite a few friends.

One year is a long time to be away from somewhere, especially when that somewhere contains 90% of your family. I don't know if I can stand going back to Texas in the summer, but I might have to brave it... just so I'm not away from family/friends for so long.

Also, while at home, I contracted another sinus infection.. thanks to a "flue issue." Basically, I closed it because it was drafty and smokey smelling, but because Mom never touches it Dad didn't check before lighting a fire. Mom and I forgot to tell him we closed it so the entire house filled with smoke + Aspen's crappy, hyper-sensitive sinuses = Sinus Infection #3 (this year).

I've been on antibiotics and a steroid burst for most of the week. I'm just hoping I don't get worse and can make it through my big test on Saturday. This is test number 8 in my teacher licensing saga.

Brrrrr! Operation "Electric Blanket" has been activated! It's flipping cold tonight!

Still boggling over the fact that I went to Jr. High and High School with "The Bachelor." This world o' mine gets smaller every day.

Still at home...

I just can't seem to find the inspiration to leave...

I've gone through some more boxes of stuff from my childhood and I've given away and thrown away quite a bit... but I'm still hanging on to a lot...

I've got some lesson and unit plans waiting for me in Colorado (incentive enough to stay in TX). But I'm not in a big hurry to go back.

Whilst browsing through Facebook this afternoon I stumbled across a thread posted by a fellow high school classmate... Apparently this season's "The Bachelor" (a show I never watched) is a guy named Jake Pavelka - and apparently he was on "The Bachelorette" (another show I never watch). Maybe I should start, because I went to junior high and high school with him and his dad was my dentist.

Odd. I remember him as being a nice guy, but it's a vague memory - we didn't hang out together at all.

Got snow again 2day - bout an inch. That's twice in one week. Crazy TX weather! Post-poning trip back one day. Hope roads clear up.

White Christmas

Merry Christmas - and a White Christmas at that!

Once-in-a-lifetime event in Texas!

3-4 inches of snow yesterday and it stuck through today!

Great time with both sides of the family, but I'm exhausted.

So....

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

The Last Week

Monday was ok.

Tuesday I stayed late, as usual, to help with after school tutoring... so that was a long day.

Wednesday was ROUGH and included an early morning meeting that focused on the budget for the next two year - very dismal. There's a definite chance of people losing jobs - one techie job was just cut. I'll be hoping and praying until March, when they finally tell us who/if/when. That was immediately followed by me telling a kid to "Shut up and get out of my room" because he was yelling at me... yelling... full-on, yelling... while I was trying to talk to another student. Kind of lost my temper a bit... but really? Yelling at a teacher... /sigh The rest of the school day was rough, but it picked up at Trivia. We won and celebrated afterward with a game of pool - which I won... I think my friends were being really nice to me because it was only my 3rd game of pool - ever. That was so much fun we decided to go play shuffleboard... I lost my first game ever and won my second... more proof that they were just being nice.

Thursday/yesterday had its ups and downs. The kids were reallllly ready for the break, but they hung in there for the most part. I got a newer/newish laptop from work - this is my first blog posting with it! And our staff party was last night. That was a lot of fun. I hung out with the adults for most of the night - and the White Elephant Exchange was hilarious. I went downstairs for the last hour and hung out with some of my students/teacher's kids. I rocked out on guitar and singing for Rock Band... Did so-so with Air Hockey... Got *schooled* on my 4th-ever game of pool. I sunk quite a few balls, but when it came to that elusive 8-ball... I choked... course the kids were egging me on! Ah well. It was fun and now they have a story to tell about Ms. E when we go back to school.

Today I'm about to head into Denver for yet another allergy doctor appointment and then tomorrow Kaylee and I are going back to TX to see family.

Happy Holidays to you all!

Bowling and Basketball

Last night was my first night with the new league, in a new town, with new group members.

Turns out I wasn't joining the team of the lady I knew, I was joining a completely different team - a husband and wife team - total strangers. They seem nice. We still need one more guy, but they were happy to have me to fill the open female spot.

I was super nervous to begin with, but everyone was so encouraging. I bowled somewhat close to the average I used to have in league... it has been 2 and a half years since I was on a league and a year and a half since I'd picked up a bowling ball.

It feels good to be bowling again.

The alley is OLD school... hand written scores with Elmo-like projectors to shine the scores up on the wall. There are only 6 lanes and the floor has spots where it has literally been worn through. I'm choosing to see it as "character."

This morning I worked for 5 hours at the Middle School Basketball Tournament. I ran the clock and kept score. I learned a LOT about basketball, got paid, and got a free lunch.

I feel like a stuck pig...

Even though I didn't bleed like one...

I *tried* to give blood today. I went through the entire ordeal - filled out the paperwork - got stuck in the finger - etc.

When I sat down in the chair I warned the guy that my veins are hard to find and he said it wouldn't be a problem.

He stuck me in the left arm and dug around for a while (boy did that feel good). Then he gave up.

He stuck me in the right arm and dug around for a while (that felt good too). Then he gave up entirely.

He apologized profusely and had to send me on my way without taking any blood.

Oink, oink.

Deja Vu

Trivia went really well tonight. In the second round we were in a four-way tie 1st place and I went up to do a tie-breaker. I tied with another team and we did a second tie-breaker and I won! So that was awesome! We won the 2nd and 3rd rounds and overall! Yay!

Also... I've finally found a bowling team to join! My first night is this Friday. I'm kind of nervous... but I did warn them that I'm not very good... so we'll see how it goes.

Trivia team AND Bowling?

Those were my two big social activities back in MN and I LOVED them. They're different here. Different nights. Different people. Different feel. But I still love going to Trivia and hopefully I will love Bowling as well.

It feels good to get back to my familiar/well-loved hobbies.

Wake up!

I woke up this morning with a lick on the ear from Kaylee. Apparently she had to go potty. I guess I prefer that to her barking or that god-awful wine she has. Plus, it was kind of cute.

I stopped by the vet yesterday to get some food for Sheba and I took Kaylee with me. He said she's healing nicely. I'll taker her in on the 14th to get her stitches and staples taken out.

As for the vet bill... I had $78 remaining to pay for her stay at the boarding kennel and they waived that amount. The vet charged me $80, which is RIDICULOUS! I mean seriously! If this were any other place I have lived, an emergency vet visit on a Sunday with stitches and staples would have been a MINIMUM of $500!

Lucky.

I am SO lucky.

Kaylee is so lucky.

It could have been so much worse.

So... the amount the kennel waived pretty much covers the vet bill and I'm not going to make a stink about it.

I'm just happy it's paid and she's going to be ok.

MN has snow. TX had snow this morn. CO, where i live, next to 2 ski resorts... no snow... that's just wrong!

Emergency Vet Visit

I got back last night... made it home with my luggage and everything.

I had to wait until 4pm today to pick up Kaylee...

I got a call 5 minutes before 4pm, while I was getting my stuff together, from the place that was boarding Kaylee. Apparently, while out in the play yard, an 8 month old black Lab attacked her. It happened 10 minutes before pick-up time. He was calling to tell me he was going to bring her to the vet because she needed stitches. I rushed right over to pick her up, but we had to wait an hour and a half before the vet could make it in to the clinic.

She has a (fang) puncture mark on her right should and a big gash on her left shoulder. He gave her several shots to kill the pain and semi-knock her out. She got 3 staples and 7 stitches. She's pretty out of it and I'm going to leave her sleeping in her kennel for the night.

Poor baby.

Very bad situation. Dreading the vet bill...

Sitting at MSP airport, wtg 4 connecting flight 2 Denver. Airport just paged "Legolas Silverbird" to retrieve a lost item....... hehehe.....

VERY short, but most excellent trip back to MN. Landyn is adorable and it was great to see my friends again.

in twin cities @ airport, wtg 4 connecting flight. flying w/headache = not fun. flight attendant who looks like Tom Jones = a little funny.

/sigh. nasal rinse. 4 nasal sprays. 2 types of oral meds. and another appointment w/allergy doc next month. awesome.

i've been sung to, hugged, fed cake and cupcake, surprised, given cards and silly stringed.

31 Candles

Hmmm... doesn't have the same ring as 16 candles... but it is what it is :)

Off to work. Then trivia. Then bed. Then work...

Life goes on.

Rough Day

Rough day today...

Fortune cookie says: "School is a building which has four walls with tomorrow inside."

31st Birthday Party

I've just finished saying goodbye to the last guests and cleaning up. A total of 10 people (plus Sheba, Kaylee, and myself) - that's a lot to fit in my little apartment, but I did it!

My work friends and my trivia friends met and all was well. We even played Trivial Pursuit - 90's Edition for a while.

I'd say it was definitely one of my best parties.

I'm very happy and very tired.

Time for bed.

Oh yeah... I was sung to in 4 different languages (English, French, Spanish and Hebrew).

Well crap

Stupid Whedon-Hating-Fox.

They've gone and canceled Dollhouse...

I mean it's not his best work to date, but it had it's moments... and it was definitely headed somewhere.

/sigh

New Clash

The first trailer for the new Clash of the Titans movie. Looks to be a bit different from the first, at least as far as special effects!

I'm an Auntie!

Congrats to Aya & D - a new baby boy! 9lbs 1 oz. =0)

Welcome Landyn!

Still waiting to hear about Aya and Baby.

Last I heard was from her - she gave up after 12 hours of pain and asked for an epidural...

That was 4:30pm Central...

Baby inc! woke up 2 find a voicemail from Aya's mom saying "we're having a baby today!"

It's moments like these...

We've just finished up the first quarter (year number two) and I've got 2 good student quotes to share. They were several weeks apart, but both came from the same class period (different students).

Quote 1

Student: "What is Bluetooth?"

Me to class: "Does anyone know what Bluetooth is?"

Student: "It sounds like bad dental work."


Quote 2

Student 1: "Hey Ben, are you afraid of heights?"

Ben: "No... Why?"

Student 2: "Because your fly is."