Colorado

I got back early on Monday from Denver/Golden Colorado. I had a great time reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones. Here's my trip in a picture montage.


This is the view from my friend, Becca's mountain house. Her house is literally on the top of a mountain. I spent a lot of time gazing out the window or sitting outside just losing myself in the landscape.


Me, Beth, and Becca at Becca's fav restaurant, Yard House. These are the friends I specifically went to CO to see. Becca lives there and Beth flew out from Oakland, CA.


One of the first places we got to go in CO was Red Rocks. It's a natural occurance that they have turned into an amphitheater. We couldn't actually go into Red Rocks at the time because they were getting set up for a band and a movie that they do like the first friday of every month or something. BUT we did get to hear the sound check of the band and that was amazing. The amphitheater is so live. The sound was so good. One of my favorite CD's from back in the day is Dave Matthews: Live at Red Rocks-it was pretty cool to actually be at the place he recorded it.



After Red Rocks, Becca took us to a big liquor store called Tipsy's. I decided I needed to show off my knowledge of beer that I have learned over the years thanks to the Morgan's. So I gave a 2 part beer class. I tried to keep mostly to CO beers, but I did go off the path a little with a few beers that I knew my friends would enjoy trying. It was really fun to share my knowledge with friends. I think everyone enjoyed it. I did an Avery class first. It was one of the breweries that I wanted to go to, but didn't get to. We never made it to Boulder - but there is always another time!


Becca will kill me for publishing this, but I think it's adorable. This was after beer class!! Am I a good teacher or what?!?!



Here's a view of downtown Denver. It was amazing. I had a great time wondering around and going to the Aveda school for a facial that day. It was easy to get around, and the parking was cheap. I was mucho impressed with the city. It is definitely worth a trip there.




Here's some other great places to visit in Denver - The Great Divide Brewing Company, Falling Rock Tap House, and Coors Field (preferably when there is a game so you can go to the SandLot a bar they have there).

Okay - There are more pics - but it's my dad's birthday today and we are going out to eat to celebrate - Happy Birthday Daddio!
Also - thanks to everyone who kept Eric, my bro, in their prayers he got finished today taking the bar and will have his results back in September!

I'm old.

Where did my inner rockstar go? I can't keep up with myself if I don't have it, and I don't have it. I can no longer drink an evening/night away without feeling the consequences the next day. The lifestyle change I've been wanting to make happen is definitely going to HAVE to happen. Funny how life works that way.

I have CO pics and will put them up later - I have to go nurse my heavy hung-over head And I didn't even really do it up. It was a 'normal' night. I will be mourning the loss of my inner rockstar, also.

Watch out, CO!

Tomorrow I head to Denver, Colorado to meet up with a college friend, Beth (from Oakland, CA) and then visit my good friend Becca while we are there. I'm pretty psyched for all the visiting and good times with good ole' friends. I'm also excited for the vacation aspect of it as there is only like 2 weeks of my summer of fun left. I'm sure I will have lots of pictures upon my return, which is Monday.

Have a great weekend!

Summer!

Let's talk spontaneity. I believe that by myself, without others, every decision I make would be spontaneous. No thinking. It's how I've bought every big ticket item, with the exception of the house. My oboe was my first - just went out and bought one. Second came my car. It's also how I teach, although I have lesson plans I often take the teachable moment run with it. I once tried to convince Brian to go to Vegas one weekend, but of course his rational thought stopped us. I say all this so you can understand the spontaneity of todays events. It is hot. I go outside for 5 minutes to do something and have to come in and wipe my face. I'm sweaty. I get Maggie's crate out of storage so I can clean it off with the hose and after it's done I just decide to spray myself. I kinda hold it up in the air like it's rain and then....I remember. I remember that Mary bought me a beautiful, yellow sprinkler when I moved into my house last year.
So I being the spontaneous person I am hooked that up and for lack of better words, played. It probably only lasted 5 minutes or so, but it was fun. I kinda wish there was someone else to enjoy the moments with me.

Here's the cheesy, stupid, happy smile after playing in the sprinkler.

Maggie-moo

I could sit here and write complaints - little things that are really unnerving right now, but I won't. I will vent to you about how my dog, Maggie, has fleas - still. I've done everything but fog the house, which I will be doing over vacation. I bought her 2 separate shampoo's (and shampoo her every few days), I've applied 3 months of tick/flea drops, she has a flea collar, and I have also treated the carpet, thrown out the vacuum bags after I vacuum daily, I wash all bedding that she lays on AND I put on a spray treatment in the backyard. I'm kinda at a loss. I figure when she goes to the vet to be boarded, maybe I would see if they have some kind of flea dip or something. All I can figure is that the original flea drops - regular Hartz for dogs drops - did not work. I think I'll probably have to resort to buying the expensive stuff for her, which sucks. In the long run though, I probably would have saved money.
I know I was venting - but in reality, it's all worth it. Maggie is the sweetest and best dog. It's worth it all just knowing that someone is waiting for me to get home.



This is a nervous Maggie on the 5th of July - we had lots of people over as well as another dog.

On the move

Here's what I captured at 7AM this morning. My man, Beau, on the move! I am thankful. I hope he finds somewhere else and doesn't come back.


Here's a pic from my kitchen window. I knew that if I went outside at this moment that I ran the risk of him getting back in the lower pond. So I just took this fuzzy pic from the window. I believe if you click on the pics, they will get big and you can see the detail better.




So, after he got quite a ways away from my ponds, I snuck outside and walked up close to him. He didn't run as I suspected, nor did he put his head in his shell. He simply sat there. I didn't go in front of him because I was scared. I stood about 3 feet away. I was mainly worried that he would come after me...not that he would..but you know. So I got some decent pics of the snapper. I also noticed that the back part of his shell had been damaged. My guess is he's been run over several times. Which made me feel a tiny bit sorry for him. But all in all, I'm glad he's outta my pond.

Just for fun

I know I'm old because...
I have to have more than 6 hours of sleep a night to function
It takes me an entire day to recover from a few hours of drinking beer/vodka/beer
I think I have not been out in a month, omg!
and then I think, I don't have to go out for another month and I'll be fine
my priorities have gone from who's buying the beer to how late is Lowe's open?
I go to the mall no more than once a year
my fashion sense comes from Target, Walmart or Kohl's
the first thing I think when I get out of bed is, owwww, because either my feet
hurt or my body is stiff
I actually want to be financially independent and knowledgeable
and finally, I know I'm old because....
the parents of the middle school students I teach are younger than I am.

Last day

Today was my last day at the salon. Finally. I don't think the owner even ever got my resignation letter. That place is seriously going down hill. I don't think it'll be open past this fall. They'd have to really come in and redo how it's run and who works there (services wise) and also do some promoting of the place. To celebrate I went and got some ice cream at Dairy Queen and ran into an old friend of mine, Tehani (I told you it was the summer of old friends). I guess she lives right across Wornall from me. So we exchanged numbers and now I have another friend that lives close to hang out with. Very fun and exciting. I wonder who is next...

Good Times

Here's a pic montage of good times from 4th of July weekend. I'll put the comments underneath the pic.

I started out my weekend on Thursday by going to Shakespeare in the Park. They did Othello this year, and the lead is one of my very favorite, Damon Gupton. He not only is beautiful, smart and funny, but he also is the assistant conductor of the KC symphony. It's more his beauty than anything - but he was amazing. So was the production of Othello. I rarely think that the Shakespeare in the Park disappoints. Every production has been a good one. The wine/beer and good cheese also help.

On Friday, I went to Celinda and Jesse's house to celebrate 4th of July with friends. It was a fantastic time. Here is a picture of us playing whiffle ball (the best!!). I must have gotten pretty serious about it-I had to put my beer down.


Here's Samara and I posing for the fireworks. Those are really fun pics. Everyone should start taking them. The one on the left is of Celinda, me, and Clinton.



Here is the one pic I have from my game night (at my house)on Saturday night that I feel sums up everything. This is Brian with a beer in one hand, summer brew in the other, the tiki torch behind him and the grill still warm. Good times!



Hope you enjoyed the picture montage. I just felt like sharing some pics.

Satisfaction

Most of my satisfaction in life comes from completing tasks, watching/helping people achieve, and seeing the labors of my work become successful. So, mostly emotional. And there are many times in my life that I have worked very hard, set myself up for success and not seen it. This is usually dependent on someone else, like my students. I may put every ounce of everything into making them successful, only for them to make a poor decision that puts them on a different path. But over the last 5 years, I have just resigned myself to knowing that the effort I do put in gives me the satisfaction in knowing that I am helping someone, or accomplishing something even if I never see the end result. So, now you should have some idea of how emotional, rather than mechanical, my life is.

But yesterday. I spent all day arm-pit deep in the bottom pond trying to fix my pond pump which decided to quit. At first I was a little hesitant because of Beau - and the fear that he might bite me. But once I developed a plan in case he did bite me, I got to work. I got the pump off, cleaned it, put it back on and plugged it in at least half a dozen times. Finally, I took the entire thing apart, put it back together (I know at this point everyone is really impressed) and then filled my sink with water so I could test the pump inside. (that was messy) Anyway - after all the finally I got it so that it was spraying water on my ceiling - I figure it would work then. I actually ended up plugging it in first this time and trying it out in the pond before putting it all back together (has to hook up to a pvc pipe that runs the water up to the top pond. So after all is back together, said and done, my pump is working wonderfully and the waterfall/stream is better than it's ever been. The water is also clearer, which will make for better Beau watching.

The point: I had great satisfaction in using my hands to fix something. I was very proud that it worked better than before.

In case you come over...

You might need to know this information.

Common Snapping Turtle - Chelydra serpentina serpentina

This is a common turtle of Missouri and one of the most abundant turtles in the eastern half of the United States. Adult common snapping turtles range in upper shell length from 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm), and weigh from 10 to 35 pounds (4.5 to 17 kg). map of Common Snapping Turtle RangeThis aquatic species is normally gray-brown in color, but the upper shell is often covered with mud or algae. Common snapping turtles inhabit a wide variety of aquatic habitats: farm ponds, streams, rivers, swamps and lakes. Contrary to popular belief, this turtle is more a scavenger than a predator and feeds on both animal matter and aquatic plants. This turtle is economically important because large numbers are captured and eaten by people. In Missouri, the common snapping turtle is considered a game species; check the Wildlife Code of Missouri for current regulations concerning this turtle.





Of course this is not 'Beau' or bohemuth, it's a much smaller version. But it looks a lot like Beau. Today, Natalie and I sat still like bushes and waited for him to come up for air so that she could see him. And see him we did. He looked me right in the eye and laughed, a little ha ha, you can't catch me. So, welcome Beau into the family. His home is in the bottom pond with the Koi/Goldfish.

4th of July 2008

I showed my patriotism by celebrating with family and friends. It was a great weekend and I am truly sorry for all those that are back to work today.

Here's some pics of fireworks at the Shawnee Mission Park. It was the first time I've ever taken pictures of fireworks with my camera so this is a learning quest in action.




That is my friend Samara and I. I don't know why we have our arms like that...but doesn't she have amazingly long arms?

Before the fireworks we played a little wiffle ball. It was FUN! I think we should do it every year and maybe even more. We had enough people for 4 on a team plus cheerleaders/picture takers. Here's a picture where you can see me running, well my leg and then Stacy coming after me or going for the ball or something.



It was a great celebration. I always enjoy the 4th of July at the Hodge's house. The spread is AMAZING. Jesse's smoked brisket and pork is mouth watering. All around the best time EVER!

family, best friends and Ingrid Michaelson.

So this might be a long blog. I'm going to add some pics to it as well. I just feel I have a lot to say and show today. Enjoy.

Last weekend my Aunt Peg and Uncle John came into town. It is always good to see them. They are my favs! I wish I saw them more often. I'm going to have to make conscious decisions to get up to SD more often to see my dad's side of the family. Like make it an every year thing for myself. Family is important to me, and I don't always feel like I show that or keep in touch with them the way I'd like. Anyway - more on that later, here's some pics of the famdamily!


This is me and Uncle John


Uncle John, Aunt Peg, my mom (Susan) and my dad (Earnie)



The boys - Eric (brother), Uncle John and Dad - I really like Eric's expression in this photo.



My family. We never used to have full family pics or pics other than when we were little, but now I take them any chance I get. I love the full family picture.

As I said in my blog yesterday, I went to see Ingrid Michaelson with Mary. We had a blast and even played photo shoot at the bar while we were waiting for the show to start. Here's some entertaining photos of that and the show. Kodi - she was amazing.


I love this shot. I am on a saddle and yes, I am wearing a skirt.


Bestests! It was so hot in there! Mary always carries a fan - THANK GOD! She fanned it so much it broke...but she's got like 3, so it'll be okay. We were having a really good time.



Here's Ingrid. Mary got some closer pics (her camera is better). I'm so glad to have gone - it was touching and a very good time with my bestest.

Now for the annoying deep stuff.....
So earlier I talked a little about keeping in contact with family and how I would like to do that more. Lately I've noticed A LOT of things that I'd like to 'be'. I've said in posts before that I'm not happy with the person I'm becoming and so I know I need to change it. So, I'm starting to try and do that. I know though that these are things that you kinda live into. And then one day you reflect or someone notices and you realize that you have become that person. That's how I noticed that I didn't like the person I was becoming. An old friend flew out a few weeks ago and I realized how amazing of a person she had become and that in fact she had become the essence of what she was striving to achieve when we were young. And in noticing that I noticed that I had become many of the things I had wanted to, but also many things that I did not want to - or if you can grasp this - I had become the person I wanted to be, but now have decided that I don't want to be that person. I know I just lost everyone. But I really write this post for myself, rather than the masses - so.....
Anyway - I now have a clearer picture of the person I'd like to live into being.



This is a hella long post. I hope you all made it through okay and enjoyed the pics.

Twists and Turns

I cannot believe it is July. I'm almost in utter denial. I have already fallen off the bonnie's bootcamp wagon and into Natalie's 'summer of tube top fun' wagon. Of course the latter is way more fun - which is why I probably dived into it rather than fell into it.
Regardless of tubetop or bootcamp - it is the summer of reconnecting with old friends. I am almost a little excited about who's gonna crawl out of the woodwork next. It's so wonderful. It's almost as if when I was going through all the crazy crap this year that I sent out a mental message to everyone that ever truly cared about me, and now they are all coming through. It makes me emotional thinking about it that way. But it is so nice to reconnect with so many wonderful people that have been in my life at many different times.

My bestest, Mary is taking me to see Ingrid Michaelson - one of my very favorite singers right now - tonight. I'm totally stoked for the concert. If you haven't experienced her - I'm embedding a video, hopefully, and there is also a song of hers on my myspace. If you know me at all, and know my taste in music, you'll totally get that I really like her. So tonight is a BIG treat, I cannot wait.

Today

Today.......

I took an allergy pill at 7AM which made me sleepy and slept till 10AM

I had breakfast with my Aunt Peg, Uncle John and family

I found plethora of fleas on Maggie

I bought $50 (which I don't have) of flea ridding stuff for outside, inside, and the animals.

I sprayed the outside for fleas and other such pests

I deodorized the carpet with this stuff for fleas

I put flea and tick stuff on both Maggie and Maizey

I found out what kept attracting the ants - damn marshmallows.

I checked on Speedy (my gerbil) and he was dead

I wrote a blog about all the stuff I had done today.

Now I am going to bury my gerbil. It is the last of my rodent adventure with my students.
Rest in peace, Speedy. I'm sorry I couldn't give you a better life.

Snapping Turtles

This Is what is currently in my bottom pond....If you click on the second picture, it gets bigger and you can see the bohemuth's head. It was about the size of my fist.




Just an update - I haven't found him since Friday night - so I think he must have escaped the lower pond and headed elsewhere. I am not sure where or if he's in the top pond or anything, but I hope he is gone!

$$

I hate money. I hate paying bills. I hate not having very much money left over. I hate actually trying to be financially responsible. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Some positives

I thought a while back that I should write a blog about all the things I have accomplished that I am proud of. This idea came from my realization of how much I have changed over time. I learn from every experience and sometimes others experiences. It would be good to look at how I have changed from them. For this blog - I am putting only positives

1. My openness. In the last 6 years I have really learned how to open up and tell my story. I used to leave parts of it out - not that I am ashamed, but that I worried what others would think. I have really started to own my story. I love that.
2. The ugly side. I have let more people into my inner circle and am not afraid of showing my ugly side. By ugly side - I mean the side you wouldn't show in public. Or the side that normally you reserve for when you are the only one home. More people know that side of me, and the beauty is that I know more people's ugly side. It's the part of a person I want to know.
3. Taking on more responsibility. I own a home. I am secure in my position at work because of my reputation. I look for challenge and meet it face on. I am doing things now I never thought I could do alone, and I am successful.
4. Accepting ownership. I have learned to accept ownership for my actions. This is something I do so that my students can see it first hand (but it's been educational and challenging for me too). We all mess up or make bad decisions and I am proud that I am able to fess up and take ownership for mine.
5. Standing up for myself. In the past I would allow others to use me and walk all over me. I have recently started noticing myself taking a stand and advocating for myself. It's been very empowering. There are times very recently where I have done it and not even had to give myself a pep talk to make it happen.
6. Maturing. I am just starting to actually see myself maturing. I can see it in decisions and everyday choices. I also see it in my thinking process and reactions to others.

6 is a nice even number. I am going to stop there as my dog is outside barking her fool head off and I have a lot of stuff to get going.

Have a good week! It is my last week of summer school, then it's Bonnie's Bootcamp and a vacay to Colorado!

kodak moments

I am a complete sucker for set up photos, especially if there is a prop or muse. I traveled to Clarinda, IA this weekend to visit friends. The girls went to a few bars on Saturday night just to sit around and chat, goosip - or divulge or recent deep secrets. The Ice House had to put in stabilizing poles or something as it was explained to me. Anyhow - that's what they look like (see above pic). I thought it would be funny if we all posed on it - not everyone agreed. I bet they are jealous now though!



Here's my good friends Shannon and Celinda. It's really the summer of old college friends. I love it.

What do I think about while I mow?

I mowed the lawn this afternoon. I think it's interesting what people think about while they mow. Mowing is tedious, and doesn't take much thought - so I think people's minds run amuck. Kodi did a blog about mowing once - I think it was similar to this. But here are 10 things that I thought about while I mowed today:

1. I need a weed whip or some call it a weed eater. I can never get close enough to do that work with a mower.
2. I should spend some time next week weeding the front of the house.
3. I wonder what kind of rashes I will get this time. I am already covered on my left arm with poison ivy from simply trimming the bushes in my yard.
4. (people came to mow the next door) I wish they would offer to weed whip my yard for free.
5. I wonder why I am so poor at relationships. I seriously have not been in enough to be bad at them, but I feel that I lack trust in a partner and so that any relationship is doomed from the beginning.
6. I should look into past life regression. I occasionally blame stupid things on past lives - thus I thought I should see if I really had any and if there really was any blame.
7. I'm going to use cash for everything but bills from now on.
8. I wish my bank were closer and that I didn't have to pay any ATM fees at other atm's except for the one at my bank.
9. If I run over a wasp with the lawn mower will it come up and sting me? What about this bee?
10. OH MY GOD - my cat can kill birds. gross.

all in all is all we all are

Props to Nirvana for the subject line today.

I know that often I tend to dance around my actual feelings - in real life, and on here. Part of the reason I do it on here is because a variety of people read it and, well, sometimes life needs to be censored. I do know that everyone probably has noticed that I've been going through some difficult times lately. I've probably been heading for deep depression, if not already in it, since January. I've had depression for more of my life than I know about (I only started noticing it in high school and then was treated in college to about a year ago). It's not a problem for me. I notice my triggers. I know my cycle. I know when everything is going to happen - usually. I knew in January I was on my way down. I did not know when I would hit the bottom. I hit it this last weekend - as everyone can probably tell from my blogs (they become very emotional). I think I was arriving at the bottom - early last week, but with all the overwhelming emotions from this weekend (reconnected with an old friend that I met in college, went to Maryville and reminisced) it was just too much. I was already on overload before the beautiful reunion and then I just couldn't handle it. And it all came out. Of course at the time I couldn't figure out exactly what was wrong with me and where it was all coming from. But now, in my clear-er mind, I know that it was just the hitting of the bottom. What hitting the bottom does for someone, especially someone with depression or another depressive disorder is allow them to come out of it and give them the sense of hope - like they are rising up out of the ashes and dusting themselves off so they can go on. Today, I arrived at that point, where I can rise up and dust myself off. I am using this moment to my benefit to change my life and become more of the person I set out to be in the beginning. I don't believe that as people, we ever really change from the child within, but life sure does make a person put up obstacles and walls that don't allow you to be you. I have plenty. I am aware of them and know that somehow they keep me from being the person I want to be or used to be (depending on what we're talking about). But I put them up for a reason, so I figure I'll find a reason to take them down someday. Times like this always afford me the moment to take away some of them so I can begin again.

I felt I needed to explain some of my posts lately - and so for now, that is my explanation. Happy Thursday to everyone!

New addition

You'll notice I have a new blog for you all to click to called bartrivia. This is the trivia that I go to sometimes on Wednesday nights. Our team name is 'Hot4teacher'. You'll notice we're pretty good.

The time has come.

I have officially decided to leave the salon, my part-time job. My last day will be June 25th. I will have all of July without interruption. The entire month will be mine. I will do with it what I will. And I cannot wait.

It will happen

If I was a REAL nerd on the computer, I would know how to take a song and get it so I can put it on here and you can hear it. But I don't. And since this band is a KC local band - it's not as easily available to try and figure out... Anyway - I listen to music a lot and wanted to share my song of the moment. You'll have to settle for the lyrics, until I learn how to upload/download/attach the actual song. They do have a myspace page: It's Over! - look it up under music. But they don't have this song on their myspace site. You can also check them out at It's Over! There I think you might be able to listen to the song...I'm really showing my computer idiocy right now and my frustration for not being able to do exactly what I want.

The whole point is that this song sums up some of the relationship issues that I have been encountering lately. And since I mentioned it a few posts ago - I am not going to do match or anything right now, if ever. I have decided that I don't even want to put forth any effort unless it is healthy and good for ME. And internet dating in my experience is neither. So it's out. Dating probably is to. Screw it, I might forever be single. And right now, at this moment, that is OK.

Here's the lyrics.

It will happen

It will get bigger and much meaner
than the day up ahead
And you won't even notice
Cuz' you wish that you were dead

And it will happen more than once in your life
And it will happen more than once in your life

You'll love much stronger than behavior
will allow in the bed
And you'll laugh in the morning
while your neighbor cries instead

And it will happen more than once in your life
And it will happen more than once in your life

And your mind gets what you ask for
Will it be enough?
And your mind gets what you ask for
Will it be enough?

And your mind gets
everything

Don't leave too early in the sunshine
when you know it's getting late
Throw your head up to the sky
until you feel your body wake

And it will happen more than once in your life
And it will happen more than once in your life

And your mind gets what you ask for
Will it be enough?
And your mind gets what you ask for
Will it be enough?

And your mind gets
everything

It's all over having seen it
Are you ready to begin?
And whatever hasn't broken
will become your only friend

And it will happen more than once in your life
And it will happen more than once in your life

-It's Over

Galileo

I don't necessarily believe in reincarnation - but I believe in connections so deep that they have to come from some other time/place. Or maybe that is just how life is. You get a few people who have the understanding and care of someone who knew you for a lifetime. I have those people. Today I am desperately happy to have them.
I am at a crossroads and I am unsure of which way to go. It's nice to have good friends (understatement - they are so much better than good) around while I am deciding.

The Clash has always said it best.

Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
An if I stay it will be double


For your viewing pleasure.

Thank you for the quote, Eastern Dragon

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive."

-by Anais Nin


My world is full of wonderful, caring, loving, and exceptional friends. Without them, I would be lost. They all bring something different to my world. And the good Lord knows - I need them all.

I spent an amazing weekend with two great friends. At this point, I am exhausted and have few words to express how meaning-full and important our moments together were. But if either of you read this, please know - you bring more to my world than I could ever explain or attempt to convey.


"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." Anais Nin

I throughly enjoy Anais Nin. There are many quotes and passages that have much meaning in my life. But the one above in particular stands out as an insight into my emotional state lately. To expand a tiny bit (because I tend to beat around the bush with this kind of stuff) when I look into the face of a friend, I see myself as they see me. And with my bestests, this can often bring me to tears - because it is very rare that I see myself the way they see me. I memorize those moments so that when I'm in the deepest of depressions they can help me get out of it whether they can physically be there or not.

Thank you to all my good friends, who beknownst to you or not, are always helping out of the deep depression. I love you.

Please, don't vote for this man.

I have 2 issues with this: 1. He's going to veto every bill that has earmarks. A president should READ the bill first, then based on what is best for America - veto it. Also, the earmarks are where we have funding for schools, higher education, fixing our roads. 2. We already have a president who cannot speak publicly - we really don't need another. (and yes, I know about Obama's slip up with 57 states - but think about the lesser of two evils).

(CNN) – John McCain issued a promise Tuesday that may cause a bit of unrest with a broad swath of voters:

He'll veto every single beer?

In a slip of the tongue while railing against excessive earmarks at the National Small Business Summit in Washington, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee inadvertently pledged to veto the popular alcoholic beverage.

Watch McCain's slip of the tongue

"I will use the veto as needed. I will veto every single beer — bill with earmarks," he said, as rumblings from the crowd could be heard. "And every single bill that we have come across my desk I will make them famous. I will veto them, you will know their names."

It's not entirely surprising McCain has beer on the brain: his wife, Cindy, is heiress to her father's Arizona beer distribution company, Hensley and Company, one of the largest distributors in the U.S., for which she now serves as chairman.

update.

I have not had much to write - nor do I now, but I thought maybe I would put an update on here about how my summer is going.

I still really enjoy teaching reg. ed. summer school. The kids have warmed up to me and we are really starting to have fun. I am actually teaching information to students that want to know - a different sort of thing for me. Some of them are really amazing. They are already so smart and intelligent. I really like having conversations with them, they like it too - probably because I don't talk with them like they are 11, even though they are.

I've been spending time cleaning my house because I will be having several house guests this month. I cleaned the carpets with a friend's cleaner - they look great. Best thing I've done so far. I've had a lot of problem with Maggie peeing in the house. I take all the blame because I am hardly home - or was. I found these adult dog pads and have been putting those down for the last few months. But the carpet still had lots of damage from before. I totally expect it to come back after a few weeks, but right now it looks great. And since I've been home more - Maggie hasn't peed in the house at all. It's been nice. Today I am cleaning up the guest bedroom and possibly putting up pictures and wall stuff. I know, I know - I've lived here just short of a year and haven't really gotten to that yet.

I've been pretty annoyed with myself since Friday. I am usually very good about learning my lessons when I do stupid stuff. BUT there are a few lessons that I seem to not be able to learn - or forget them in the moment. I've decided that I don't really like the direction my life is heading. I am committing to cut down on the drinking and even the going out. I am probably going to try the internet dating again, even though I still have reservations about that. I just want to see my life go in a different direction. I also want to take a little better care of myself. It's just time to kick my butt again and refocus. So essentially that is what I'm doing.

Maure - we must have been on the same page yesterday because I was thinking about you and sent you and the baby something and then later I got your message. I will try you sometime this week and hopefully we'll be able to connect. I know that baby is going to come soon.

The Gap Band

This is currently in my backyard, in the bottom 'pond'. Beautiful. I love that about my house.

I have this song in my head: You've dropped a bomb on me, baby...you've dropped a bomb on me. (that's the lyrics I sing anyway) It's by The Gap Band.

My rant: I'm done with the rain. I need no more. I'm tired of always being at the salon when these crazy storms blow through and then having to drive home through them. I don't need anymore mugginess, humidity (hello...hair!), or water in my yard.

My rave: new sheets for my room! They are cute and will brighten up my room.

Happy day to everyone!

A new addiction..

like I needed another addiction - but I found these. And they are lovely! So yummy and good. I'm sure they are okay and good for you in moderation. Of course, I struggle with moderation and ate like 5 handfuls tonight at work. They are delicious though.

Other news:
Summer school is great. I love teaching reg ed. It is refreshing.

stuff

Last weekend - which seems like it was a year ago - I went on a School's Out FLoat Trip. Just a handful of people - mostly teachers I hang out with outside of school and some significant others. We had a great time. I do think in the future that camping one night and Super 8-ing it the next is the best bet. I really wanted a good shower and a clean toilet with t.p. after the float trip. Anyway - I'm including a photo of it. We had just been clothes-lined by a tree and I got pushed off the boat. So here I am laying down on the boat - trying to calm down. It was a very traumatic event.





On another note - at this current moment I have no rashes or poison ivy - hooray for that.

Last night I had a really good beer. Every one that reads this, first - knows I like beer and second (which you might not know) but there are times where I'd rather date a beer than a man. This is one such beer. And while it wasn't necessarily 'love in a glass' as I like to call it - it was a good one night stand - it's HopSlam by Bell's. It's a really enjoyable beer (IPA for those knowledgeable). I am still thinking about it today - so I wanted to put it out there in case anyone was brave enough to try it.

Back to work

Surprising as it may seem, I am very happy to be back to work. I'm teaching 5/6 Math/Science Enrichment for summer school this year. (no sped - hooray) I only work 7:30-12:30. It's a pretty good gig.

Tonight I am going to see Sex in the City - the Movie! I'm very stoked about it.

Happy Friday!

stipend

Just because I ranted on here about it: I got a letter from the gov that said that I was to be awarded a federal stipend and that it would be coming to me May 30. Hooooray for free money.

My 4 days of total freedom

If you wondered at all what I have been/will be doing on my 4 days of total freedom, here are some images that describe it:

why?

I am a 30 something acting like a 20 something. I guess the better question to ask here would be, "why not?" rather than why?

Last Day of School!!!

Today is the last day of school for the 2007-2008 school year. It has been a challenging year for my patience. I am happy for it to be over, but not necessarily excited about any thing in the future. Like most years, I have no idea what I will be doing next year. I don't know what I can plan or get excited about. I will have no idea what I need to prepare for. I will probably have to start next year off running.
I have an opportunity to move districts - but I cannot afford the pay cut. I probably need to go an interview for this opportunity. Part of me wants to and just ask for what I get paid here. Can't hurt anything, right. Part of me just wants to wait it out another year here at Center and then see how I feel. I like it here, but I don't think there's much room for me to move or grow. I do like the fact that I've climbed the proverbial ladder and am standing on top where no one can mess with me. I'd have to do it all over again at a new place. Comfort.

Anyway - I'm still somewhat uncertain. There are a few directions I'd like to go. I'd like to teach college courses, I'd like to work with elementary students, I'd like to work in a juvenile detention, I'd like to work in a psychiatric center...so at least I have dreams.

TGITLDOS! Thank god it's the last day of school! You can bet on it that I will be kicking out the year this afternoon in true Steen style (on a patio, with a beverage and friends).

important tax advice

Important TAX Refund Information
Your Tax Rebate:

The federal government is sending each and everyone of us a $600 rebate. If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, the money will go to China. If we spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs. If we purchase a computer it will go to India. If we purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. If we purchase a good car it will go to Japan. If we purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan...and none of it will help the American economy. The only way to keep that money here at home is to buy weed, beer, and tattoos, since these are the only products still produced in the USA. Thank you for your help & please support the US.

my weekend in a handshake

Eric (my bro) graduated from Mizzou Law School this weekend. I'm extremely proud of him and excited for his new prospects and basically, life, that he will begin. He had several friends down on Saturday, which is when I went down. A bottle of Evan William's later and the party was in full force. I did not drink this - my brother did. I stuck to my normal PBR, and then once we got to the bar - bud lights were 2.00. So cheap in my old age. Here's a pic of us at the bar, not the best looking one - but it's the only one I have.




Mom got some good pics of the family and Eric on actual graduation, and when I get them I'll try to post some up. I actually had mom bring down my hood so that we could get pics with both of us wearing our gear. I thought mom would really like that. She could show off how smart her children are. (hee hee, at least on paper..)

Other news and so I have a record of it - I have a new rash. I don't know what it is...but it isn't spreading. Allergies. I was out last week working in the yard without my protective space suit that I must need to wear when I go out there. Blah. But hopefully it'll go away soon. I've also noticed (just for recording's sake) that my emotions have been on quite a roller coaster ride recently. I'm sure there are a million reasons, the first one being alcoholism, the second being malnutrition, and the third being bad choices. :D

for Stacy

Here's the message I have taped to my computer so I see it all the time at work. Sometimes it really puts things in perspective as well as reminds me how I need to help and guide my students.

We are what we think.
With our thoughts, we make the world.
-Buddha

Sounds simple - but very deep when you take time to think how much our mind creates the atmosphere around us.

men, I mean boys.

It all must start in 6th grade, boys thinking females are ignorant to their inside jokes and immature sexual musings. I have witnessed my 6th graders becoming more and more interested in girls and sex, all the while, thinking that I don't know what they are talking about. They make jerk-off motions when they shake their milk. They pound their knee on their desk like it's a big hard-on. They say the word balls, like they just discovered they have them (it's a big deal). And they giggle, at everything, like little girls in a slumber party. I get tired of it all, because it's so immature and stupid. Mostly I roll my eyes and give them a direction to stop the nonsense. But today, oh today, I took a whole new role. I gave females a whole new meaning. I outted them. Right in front of the entire class. Using the same language they would. Letting them know that I knew exactly what was going on. And they were amazed. Then they were embarrassed. So embarrassed that one had to turn around and hold his face in his hand. He might have been stiffling a giggle, but I'd like to think his red face was from acknowledging that I, a femal, knew what they were talking about. I realize that none of this will stop them, or even mute them in my classroom, but I hope someday it will give them a difference sense of the female and her actual knowledge of the male.

Girls rule, boys drool.

pics

Someone sent me a pic of Friday night. You can't see much of my $70 jean, but you can see me. These are my coworkers, from left to right: Me, Mark, Aimee, Cris

Good people! I will have more pics later!

What can $70 jeans do for you?

I made a purchase that at the time seemed very frivolous and stupid - but I did it anyway. I had a few reasons that I used to talk myself into it: 1. These jeans looked really good. 2. I don't have a good pair of jeans that I feel good in. 3. These jeans looked REALLY good! So I bought them. I've never bought a $70 pair of jeans. I don't have those kind of luxuries. I can barely afford myself as it is. But it was probably the best buy, ever, and I mean it. I dressed up on Friday night and looked good - will have pics soon. But I got more play than I had in a long time! I don't think it was necessarily the jeans themselves - but the confidence they gave me. Which is priceless compared to the ridiculousness of buying $70 jeans.

They are Silvers, in case you are wondering.

Pics to come!!!

this moment

I haven't posted in a week. It's been crazy busy around here because it is the end of school. I am just trying to stay afloat. Everything always turns out all right and I always get everything completed. That is my mantra and my truth.

Things I know:

I have a job for next year. It will be different from my current one. They are dissolving my cross. cat. self contained class. I got my contract and will be making more money, although I didn't think it was a big enough raise...

Spring is definitely here, and it hasn't stopped raining.

I am not my students favorite teacher, and for the most part they don't really like me at all...and as much as this doesn't bother me, it does.


Things I don't know:

I don't know what exact job I will be doing next year.
I don't know how much of a raise I got

when is my $600 arriving?




I have other stories to tell, but must be at home so I can attach photos to illustrate them.

Not necessarily a tard blog...but an interesting story anyhow

I have a good one for you today!!!

I have a student that is not on my caseload, but I advocate for him and we have a good rapport. I got him on my case load last year, but he excelled and so I had to pass him on to another case manager. He sometimes gets sent to me for a buddy room (we use BIST for those in the know). Anyhow, I was on my way to the restroom when he got sent to me. No one was in my room, but I said - go on in, I'll be there in a minute. So I get back and start processing with him. He mumbles some crap, I continue doing my work (this is my plan time) and then ask him if he needs a book or something to do. He was, well...I need to go to the bathroom. Okay, you can go. (Thinking back, I do remember something being funny about his jacket, it was bulky or something.) So I wait outside the bathroom, for an eternity. Finally, I track down a male teacher and make him go in there. He goes in, tells the kid to come out - where in the kid resists. The teacher comes out and I ask, "what is he doing?" My reply came in gesture - the jack off gesture. Unnecessarily long story short, the kid stole my LARGE, family sized bottle of Suave Cocoa Butter lotion and was whacking off in the bathroom.

Was he bored? Did he just need something to do? Or did he need to let off a little steam? AND why steal the lotion and not just ask to borrow it and put it on in the bathroom....

I threw the bottle away (which was pretty full) and sanitized my hands thoroughly.

Gross. But funny. Enjoy the laugh.