We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature--trees, flowers, grass--grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence...We need silence to be able to touch souls. --Mother Teresa

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Comments

I got spammed!!  And not the kind I grew up with......


Which is really gross by the way.  I never did love canned meat.  Even fried. 

Nope.  I got comment spam.  I actually was very suspicious yesterday because I got all these out of the country hits--not like London out of the country--like countries I have to google and then still wonder if they are real countries. 

I changed my comments to comment moderation.  That means I will have to approve your comment--which might take a while because I get soooooooo many comments from all my followers--before the comment can be published.

Gosh, maybe there is someone out there trying to steal my identity.  Nope.  Probably not.  Who the heck wants to be me? Just sayin'.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

A Quick Update and Randomness

Yes.  I know.  I have been MIA.  I apologize to my loyal readers.  Please forgive me.

I am tired.  Very, very tired.  The end.









1. Have you ever fired a gun or shot a bow and arrow?
Bow and arrow.  Girl Scout camp late 1970's.  I loved Girl Scout camp.  Heck, I loved being a Girl Scout.
 
2. Do you know where your childhood best friends are?
Yes.  She lives in her grandmother's house, therefore if I need her, I can find her.  
 
3. Do you usually arrive early, late, or on time?
Depends.  Church?  A little early.  School?  If I left on time, then I would worry about being there on time.  Ballgames?  Almost always late.  Do I go anywhere else?  Not so much.
 
4. Are you more of a New York or California type?
I am going with California.  Small town California.  Sandy beaches and warm weather ALL THE TIME.  Right now I cannot tell you how much I hate cold weather.  I am hoping that I wore that horrible, terrible pink sweater I have worn every week since November for the last time today. 

5. Do you have a special ring tone?
Why yes.  Yes, I do.  Let me share....


Yep.  Jealous?  I think that I have a friend that calls me while she's in the same room with me just so she can hear my ring.  No more love on the run..... 
 
6. What is your favorite type of chip?
Lays.  Freshly opened bag.  They ARE a source of potassium.  
 
7. Best comedy you've ever seen is ....
The Hangover.  Do not watch this with your under high school age children.  Totally inappropriate and yet...I laughed until I cried 17 times. 
The Ref.  The most appropriate use of the F bomb ever.  
Airplane.  I paid money to see this movie and I can say that my children think that this is a hilarious flick.  
Caddyshack.  Greatest ever.  The pool scene is classic.  
Ferris Bueller.  Bueller?  Bueller?  Bueller?  
Fast Times at Ridgemont High.  All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I'm fine.  
 Fletch.  Coach and I watched this on our first date.  Oh yeah, it's a date movie. 
 
8. Have you ever cut your own hair? To quote Dr. Phil, "How'd that work for ya?"
No.  
 
9. If you were going to have an extreme makeover, would you rather it be about your house or your personal self?
Gosh.  This is tough.  I really could use a new kitchen and bathroom--OK.  I could use a new every room.  But I announced today that I was throwing away all my winter clothes at the end of this season of hell and starting over for next winter.  So I could use a personal self makeover--cuz this muffin top I am sporting isn't as cute on a 43 year old as it is on a 3 year old.  No lie.


10. Are you allergic to anything?
Cleaning.  Grading papers.  Cold weather.  
 
11. Why is it so hard to change?
Not sure about this one.  As long as you make it seem like it was my idea, I'm in.  

12. One last question dedicated to February love: CS Lewis said, "To love is to be vulnerable." Please share one example of that assertion or share any thought you'd like to about this topic.
 Stinks eggs but it is part of living life.  It hurts worse when it's your kids.  Just sayin'. 

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Random Dozen



1. If you could compete in one Olympic event (not necessarily winter sports) what would it be?
Swimming.  I do love that sport and I can actually participate because it doesn't involve running.  
2. Do remember a specific Olympic moment from the past?
Actually, I do.  Nadia Comaneci in 1976.  I very much wanted to be a gymnast as I am sure every little girl did at that point.  She was just amazingly spectacular to watch.  It was mesmerizing.
 And yes.  You must be a woman of a certain age to understand.  For the rest of you, google it.
 
3. Have you ever known anyone who competed in the Olympics?
Nope.
 
4. If everyday activities were Olympic-worthy, which activity would you have a gold medal in?
Bossiness.  Ask my brother.  
 
5. Do you know anything about your ethnic heritage?
Nope.  I have people and that is all I know.  They spoiled me rotten and loved me to death, so who really cares?
 
6. Do you enjoy sleeping late?
Um.  Well.  Yes.  But it's not so much sleeping late as much as not getting around.  I love to sit, drink coffee and read the newspaper.  I can wear my pajamas for a long time.  My friends have seen me in my robe on several occasions. 
 
7. Have you ever performed CPR on anyone? Do you know how?
Nope and yep.  I hope I never have to use it.
 
8. Name one country you'd like to visit and explain why.
Greece.  I think it seems like a very romantic place.
 
9. Have you ever fixed up a couple romantically?
I keep pointing out cute boys to College Girl.  Does that count?  Of course, if her face freezes like that, then she won't ever get a husband.  


 
10. What is the last book you read?
The Help and I highly recommend it.
 
11. Do you enjoy sleeping late? NO, YOU write the question! How's that for random??  Ok, Lid. You asked for it.  Here's my question......How do you feel about underwear?
I hate underwear.  They're just stupid. 
 
12. What is your favorite meal at your favorite restaurant?
Cheeseburger and fries.  Just sayin'.   

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

10 Things I Know for Sure

1.  Be careful what you wish for....it may just come true and then where will you be?

2.  If life sucks eggs, I am thinking you should make scrambled eggs and invite a friend who has cheese to join you.  I have cheese.

3.  Where is that easy button?

4.  Is it March 14, yet?  Or March 20?

5.  I am completely amazed at those people who choose to cross country ski.  Heck, I won't take a vacation to anyplace that is remotely chilly in any way, let alone strap on a pair of skis and go cross country.  Nutcases. 

6.  Is pairs figure skating really a sport?  I say if they show it on ESPN then it is.  Coach says there is not a chance in hell that it counts as a sport.

7.  6 weeks with out paper plates.  I wonder if I could do that with sugar?  Nope.  No sugar during state ASSessments?  Not a good thing FOR ANYBODY.

8.  How does one become a curling expert?

9.  Really?  Do these people not have people who tell them what to wear?  I realize that my wardrobe is the poster child for What Not To Wear.....but really?

And as usual, there are more where this came from. 

10.  It will all be fine.  Just sayin'.

Monday, February 15, 2010

The Music of My Life

 So.

I like this song.  I love the melody without the words.  And I love the words......
Especially these words......
'I guess what I'm be saying is there ain't no better reason
To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons.....'

Truer were never spoken.  Just sayin'.


Sunday, February 14, 2010

Enjoy the little things, 
for one day you may look back and 
realize they were the big things.-- Robert Brault

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

In his heart a man plans his course, 
but the LORD determines his steps.  --proverbs 16:9

I can step up. 

I can step out.

I can choose to believe.

I can smile and tell myself it will all be fine. 

I can be who I am.

I can do anything.

I can say no.
I can say yes. 

I can worry and fret.

Or I can believe. 

I can do it.  Just sayin'. 

10 Things I Know For Sure

1.  I am 43 years old today.  I don't feel 43.  My outsides look 63 but my insides feel 22.  Good thing that Coach married me for my insides.

2.  In 1967, the average cost of a house was $14,250.

3.  My mom sent me a little something for my birthday: she likes me best (really it's only the large canister because I already have the other two!!) Thanks, Mom.  You rock the Mom World.
 

4.  I am the oldest child in my family.  I am also the oldest grandchild.  And you can tell.  

5.  Gas was $.33 a gallon the day I was born.  Really.

6.  I weighed 8 pounds 15 ounces at birth.  I was also breech.  When my mom tells the story, I feel like a heel.  It had to hurt.  Seriously.  Oh, and I was approximately 3 weeks overdue.  They did that in the 60's. 

7.  Other famous people born on this day:



8.  There are 6 people that live in our community who have birthdays today.  Happy Birthday to  Kelly, Rich, Braden, Amanda, Jenna and Me!  What a great day to be born!!

9.  This is the first year in awhile that I do not get to sit in a gym on my birthday.

10.  I love my birthday...just sayin'.

Monday, February 8, 2010

The Music of My Life

The number one song on February 9, 1967, according to Billboard was......

 

It simply doesn't get much better than The Monkees.  Just sayin'.  

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Saturday...Finally!

 **WARNING! WARNING! THIS IS AN EXTREMELY LONG POST**
But worth the read

This was a wild week.  Monday was Monday.  Tuesday rolled around all too quickly and it became abundantly clear that the stomach flu had arrived in our community.  Wednesday was up next and I was simply working for the weekend.  But wait....Thursday.

I had sent one little person home in tears on Wednesday.  She just burst into tears.  Like to scared me to death.  She is one of those little people who never complains.  She has a smile on her face and love in her heart all the time.  Her poor little head hurt so bad that she couldn't stand it anymore.  So on Thursday when she wasn't at school, I wasn't surprised.

UmHmpfsigh.  Thursday.  Somehow kids have barometers inside of them that tell them the weather is changing and they must all be crazed chatterbugs.  And inside recess just adds to the fun.  Can I just say that I hate inside recess?

I have one little person who has come to school and informed me that her stomach is in her throat.  She proceeds to tell me this a gajillion times throughout the day.  I fed her peppermints all day.  I have several others who look like death warmed over.  I have several more that are simply talking to hear their heads rattle. 

I was patient and I was understanding and I did my level best.  I must say that I wasn't overly peppy but I wasn't grouchy pants either.  I really did a nice job of managing my words.  Miracles do happen in the strangest of places.

Oh, and did I mention that Thursdays are the day that I spend half of my plan period in a meeting?  And that I hate inside recess?

At 1:35, the office beeps my room.  Can I take a phone call?  This never happens unless one my own children is ill.  I instinctively know it is not girl twin.  Yep.  Boy twin is in the office with a horrible headache and dizziness.  They don't think he should drive himself home.  OK.  I am on my way.  I step into my lifesaving friend Robin's room and say HELP.  I gave her options--go to get boy twin or teach third grade for 15 minutes.  She heads into my room while I head out to get boy twin.

It's a really good thing that I went to get him.  I get up to the high school and I take one look at him and think OMG his lips are huge and his eyes are swollen and his cheeks are so red.  He complains of stomach cramps.  He is struggling to breathe.  He isn't wearing his sweatshirt and doesn't put it on when we get outside.  He takes several deep breaths which sets my mom alarms off.  We talk about what he should do when he gets home--blahblahblah.

When I return to school, I send him a text message checking on him.  I ask him if anything else happened during the course of the day.  He tells me that he feels some better after the bendadryl and some 7 up.  He had a sack lunch.  (His own fault because he was out of lunch money--I only give them a certain amount of $$ and if they don't budget it wisely, then they must take a sack lunch or use their own $$)  He also tells me that they had served peanut butter rice krispy treats for lunch. 

Again, my mom alarms go off.

You see, boy twin is allergic to peanuts.  And anything to do with peanuts.  Peanut butter.  Peanut oil.  Peanuts. PeaNUTS.  PEANUTS. 

I cannot tell you how old he was but here is the story.....We lived in the country and had been to town to run errands.  We bought the kids a treat as we left town.  I am sure College Girl had a non peanut butter Little Debbie treat.  How do I know that?  Because she was allergic to pb and eventually grew out of it around the age of 10.  And Little Debbies are cheap.  Her allergy was never ever as severe as boy twins.  Anyway, we bought the twins those nutty bars so they could each have one--we are part way home when after maybe 2 bites boy twin announces, "This is yucky."  And hands it to me.  He has hives all around his mouth and on his hands where the pb had touched him.  45 minutes later he is vomiting.  I cannot tell you how many things there are out there that have peanuts in them.  Things that you wouldn't even suspect having peanuts. 

Thank goodness he was out of lunch money or else I am fairly certain that the ambulance would have needed to be called for the allergic reaction.  You see, 300 peanut butter rice krispy treats require a fair amount of peanut butter and just having that in the air triggered an allergic reaction.  If they had touched his tray with gloves that had had that residue on them and the transfer of peanuts....oh my.  My mom imagination goes crazy.  This isn't the first time that has happened to him.  Yes, he is that allergic to peanuts.  And trust me when I tell you that his reaction is much less severe than when he was younger.

Transfer is always the issue.  Rarely does he have direct contact with peanut products.  People mean well.  It is a case of if you don't have that particular allergy then you don't understand how scary it can be for those who do.  Take a potluck, for example.  People bring a dessert but not a tool to serve it.  They grab a tool from another dessert and there you have it--cross contamination.

Meanwhile back at the classroom, a little girl from my room asks to go to the bathroom.  Sure.  Knock yourself out. She returns with wild eyes and comes straight to my side to say:

3GG (3rd grade girl):  In the bathroom.  In the first stall.

Me:  Yes?  (my heart is beginning to beat wildly) What?

3GG:  Someone used red lipstick.  And wrote I love you.  And then put lips all over.

Me:  Blinking a million times.  What?

3GG:  Someone used like red lipstick, you know?  And then like put it on their lips and kissed all over the wall. (she said this in the kind of louder and slower voice one tends to use with people who are slow on the uptake--you know the voice)

Me:  Really.  Seriously.

I march my fat butt down to the bathroom and sure enough this is what I see:

 

Yep.  This gives me the heebiejeebies on so many levels.  And the reason I have a picture?  Lifesaving Robin thought we needed one.  

Thankfully, it wasn't anyone from my room who created this masterpiece.

Continuing on....
My second recess of the day occurs at 3:00 each day.  We are dismissed from school at 3:30.  Our school building is a very large, one story, sprawling structure.  It is literally a city block from my room to the kindergarten wing.  NO lie.  The school nurse measured it.  And we have two classrooms in the basement.  One of those rooms is a third grade room.  The teacher of that room and I share inside recess duties.

So back to Thursday.  I have an appointment for enhancements at 4.  I am using my 15 minute recess to return computers to the computer carts in the library as well as trying to get as much done as possible so I can leave to get the much needed enhancements at 4.

As I head out to greet my children, I am greeted with extremely excited voices.  Voices I recognize.  Voices that shouldn't be heard.  And what I hear next is the second most dreaded sound in a world of a teacher....the word vomit.  Yep.  That little person who told me a gajillion times that her stomach was in her throat?  Well.  Now her stomach was in the hallway outside of a first grade classroom.  She apologized profusely and thanked the teacher who helped her out.  She managed herself beautifully.  I mean, as beautiful as anyone can when in such a horrid situation. 

As I head towards my class, I hear THE most dreaded sound in the world of a teacher.  The sound of vomit schplatting in the hallway five minutes before 90% of the school needs to leave out THAT door at the end of THAT hallway.  A little boy who had failed to mention that he felt bad, chucked it all right then and there.  Before I knew that he wasn't feeling well, I had the following conversation with him (from a distance):

Me:  So do you think you just vomited because you saw 3GG vomit?  (please God let this be the case)

3GB:  Um.  I didn't see 3GG vomit.

Me:  Oh!  I am so sorry!

3GB:  I just didn't feel good and it got worse and worse and finally, well you know what happened next.

Count 'em.  Two.  Two pukers in the hallways and both of them are from my room.  The lone custodian we have wasn't loving me so much.  

The rest of my class was heaving and gagging and I was fearful a modern day barf-o-rama.  I am using my best patient voice and screeching....Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.  Just relax.  In.  Out. In.  Out.  I am not sure who I was trying to help--them or me.

We are forced to reroute the entire school to the buses.  Kids are completely befuddled by the situation and several figure it out and well are kids who have seen vomit.  Enough said.

We call parents to get the sick ones on their way and alls well that ends well.  Sort of. 

I return to my classroom.  I then wipe down all the tables in my classroom with disinfectant and spray lysol over every inch of the room until it permeates the west end of the building.

I pack my book bag and head out for my much needed enhancements.

I arrive at the hairdresser's.  It is bustling with people.  I wait.  The magic princesses look at me in a puzzled manner.  I comment that I am waiting for my magic princess to begin the enhancement process.  Again, puzzled looks abound.

Um.  The magic princesses huddle up and check the book.

I am apparently 2 hours and 15 minutes early for my enhancements.  Ohmyeverlovingoodnesssakesalive I felt like a complete nincompoop.

I leave.

I am done with Thursday.

And I won't even start on Friday.  Just sayin'.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010




As has been my usual custom of late....these questions come from Lid at 2nd cup of coffee....feel free to join in!  (The first 6 come from Kelley at I Didn’t Know That! Thanks so much, Kelley! And can you please help us out with #4???)

1. Do you use the labels various charities send you as “free gifts?”
Um.  Duh.  Yeah.  But I don't send money.  Sorry.  I didn't ask for your 'free gift'.  

2. What is your favorite time of day (or night) for skywatching?
Taking a walk at dusk as the sun is setting is a pretty good feeling.  

3. What is the most adventurous you've ever been with trying a new food? (Keep it G-rated please)
Adventurous with food?  Um, no.  I eat food.   

4. Have you ever heard a rock sing? (Trust me, there's a reason for this one!)
What are you smokin', dope?  A rock sing.  Nope.  

5. If you could learn a language you don't presently speak, what would it be?
The Queens English.  Arthur, King of the Britts.  

6. Al Capone's tombstone read, “My Jesus, Mercy.” If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?
Just sayin'.

7. If you were a famous musician who was known by one name, like “Cher,” “Sting,” or “Jewel,” what would it be? It doesn’t have to be your first name, but it can be, if you’d like
Saucy.  Coach gave me that one.  I hope it doesn't mean what I think he might think it means. It's not the fourth Saturday so I might be safe.....

8. Have you ever been inordinately “into” a television show?
Why, yes.  Yes, I have.  I still pine for Knott's LandingDid it get any better than the cul-de-sac with Valene and Gary Ewing?   Sid Fairgate?  Greg Sumner?  Karen Fairgate and the evil temptress, Abby? 
Oh my goodness gracious sakes' alive I lovelovelove that show. 

9. When you sneeze, do you go big, or do you do that weird “heenh!” sound that makes people think you’re going to blow your brains out? Any other variation we should know about?
I attempt to be rather quiet.  But do you ever worry that when you sneeze that you might accidentally squeeze on off?  I am thankful for padded pews at church.  

10. Do you still read an actual newspaper that you hold in your hands, or do you get your news elsewhere?
I get three daily newspapers.  2 morning and 1 evening.  

11. Are you a good speller?
I do try to be a good speller.  Sometimes I fail.  

12. At what time each day do you start thinking about Lost lunch?
I must confess that I think that the show Lost is kind of different.  Different in a Twin Peaks sort of way.  So I only think of it when I want to make fun of it.  Sorry in advance if have offended any readers.  But to answer the real question....I pack a lunch cooler each day so I think about lunch in the morning when I pack the cooler.  And because I teach kids, I often smell lunch for a long time before I ever get to go to lunch.  Some days the smell isn't so great.  Just sayin'.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

10 Things I Know for Sure

1.  If you wear this.....
 
...I don't care how much money you have, you are just plain stupid.  And as usual, there are many more where this one came from .

2.  I had an unfortunate incident at the car wash late last week.  It reinforced my low tolerance for stupidity.  My stupidity, that is. 

3.  Budget cuts stink eggs.

4.  Drew Brees or Peyton Manning?  I always choose my team by the cutest quarterback and the color of their costumes.  

5.  I am living for March 14, 2010 at 2 a.m.

6.  We have been paper plate free for 3.5 weeks.  Amazing. I actually think there have been times that my son has chosen not to eat because he would have to use a 'real' plate.  (It's the washing of the dishes he's trying to avoid--I love that boy!)

7.  8 days.

8.  "Don't mess with the bull, young man. You'll get the horns."  Name that movie.

9.  Murphy's Law states, "If you don't finish a post, but schedule it, count on the internet being down when you are trying to finish it." Ugh.  

10.  Shall we start?  It's five o'clock somewhere. 

Monday, February 1, 2010

The Music of My Life

Today is February 1.  That means it's 9 days until my birthday.  I love my birthday.  And my mom loves the day, too.  She always made my birthday the greatest day.  She made my favorite meal and we had cake and ice cream in the evening with our grandparents. 

Can you tell that the next 9 days will all about me?

Here you go, Mom.  Thanks for everything--you're the greatest.....


Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel. -Proverbs 11: 17