School's out for the summer!

No more pencils
No more books
No more teachers dirty looks

YEs! My summer officially begins right this moment and will end August 11. Ahhhhhhhhh!

It's a good feeling when...

the beer fridge is FULL!

what has 8 legs and makes me scream??

Spiders....frikin spiders comin' out of my pillow! I screamed so loud that I figured the neighbors would come over. But they didn't-go figure.

So I stayed up most of the night, every little thing seemed like a spider to me. And if ya know me, you know that I HATE spiders. I can't kill them because I am so very scared of them. So today I declared war. I sprayed the inside of my house with SEVIN. And then spread granules around the house. While I was spreading the granules, a big fat spider (bigger than a half dollar, no kidding) crawled up the side of the house. I hope they all die. They need to die if I am going to ever sleep again. I wouldn't even care if I had to go around the house and sweep up the spider carcuses.

So we'll see what happens. Thanks to b for answering the phone at 11:30 at night and listening to me cry about this house and all my frustrations with it.

On a more positive/happier note, tomorrow is the last day of summer school. No working until August 14, I believe. Thank god I"m a teacher....I get that one month off during the summer. It's so worth it.

well....have a good Thursday evening.

Super-fn-movie

Superman Returns is the absolute best movie I have seen in a year or so. Honest to God, I haven't seen a movie that good in a while. Of course, everyone needs to go see it and decide for themselves.

Ignorance vs. Laziness

Let me ask you this, as a special education teacher, is it my job to accept laziness as ignorance? Is it my job to allow my students to continue to blame their laziness on their stupidity? And where did they get the idea that they were stupid? Who allowed them to believe that they were stupid and 'couldn't do it'?

I cannot tolerate laziness in my classroom. Nor can I tolerate the fact that my students have been molded to believe they couldn't do it, that they weren't capable.

To all those who have procreated:
Please fight against the tolerance of laziness, teach your child to excercise, teach your child that they have to do the work, teach your child that they can do the work. Don't become lazy yourselves, you won't do the job you 'signed up' to do as a parent. Thus failure, and none of my friends/family are failures, I don't tolerate it.

*please note I laughed out loud after I wrote the final sentence above*

Anyway....Let me tell you what I have completed today: I worked and fought against the ever growing laziness epidemic, I went to Lowes, I bought an airconditioner and a pantry, I installed an airconditioner, I put together my new pantry.
It's been an amazing day. My new airconditioner is going to be worth its weight in gold.

getting settled

First things first - meet Maggie...the absolute cutest dog in the world. She is also the best dog in the world. She is my dog.

Now back to the blog---
Who settles? People moving in, people moving on, and people who are comfortable.

Well..I'm settling into my new house. It's got it's moments of pure satisfaction and pure boredom. I'm finding that I'm doing things I would never have done before like yard work and fixing things and figuring out my money situation. Creating a budget, knowing exactly how much money I have. I have turned into a total new person....or just pretending to be an adult. I can assure it's just the latter.

The exciting part of my life: I'll be going to San Francisco and Chicago in July!!! Two of the best cities in the US. I'm very happy for a vacation. Plus, it backs up the reason for me getting a masters. I want to travel in the summer and by god, I will.

Anyhow, I'm going to do better at writing on here so start looking again....I don't have much exciting to say, but I'll try to put in some uplifting stuff and more cute pics of Mag!

In other news....

Yesterday, I let you all know that I'm moving. I'm looking forward to this. I think it's like a new chapter in my life :D

I'm teaching summer school at Center Middle, where I currently teach. I'll be teaching the lower functioning group. It should be a nice change and fun. I'll be teaching there again next year. Although we won't have a Behavior Disorder room (which is what I teach now). I'll be teaching Curriculum Support (not sure what this is) but the exciting part is that I will get to interact with all of our students involved in Special Education! Plus, I think they voted for our pay to go up and so I'm going to forgo any afterschool activities and just work from 7-3. Can you imagine??? I don't know what I'm going to do with my time. I'll have to have a hobby or take a fun class like yoga or something.

Anyway...not much else is going on. I plan on visiting a friend in San Francisco this summer, as well as travelling to Chicago with another. I am going to try and get down one weekend to Springfield, MO and visit a friend that had a baby recently. Sounds fun!

Anyway...give me a call or email!

Change

I'm moving! Our landlord has decided to sell the house and so we have to move. I will be moving closer to work and without a room mate. I intend on having some pets again and enjoying myself in my new place. I am currently looking for a house to rent, hopefully I find one that I can afford. I will be moving on the weekend of June 10th.

Just wanted to give a quick update. Not much else is new....I think 11 days till school is over! I'm soooo ready.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Another year older, but not 30 yet! Each year seems to get better and better, this year is already started out fantastic! I received a pretty bobble from Tiffany's, yes, I, Bonnie Steen, got a little blue box! And I did it without a boyfriend! My friends are the very very BEST! I can sure pick em'. It's only 9:30 AM and already today has been the most special!

Well...where's my invitation to Bonnie's bash? Bonnie isn't having one. That's right, no big party this year. I am going to try my luck at winning a load of money after I've eaten all you can eat crab legs tonight.

Here's some facts for you about me, I was:

24 years old at the time of the 9-11 attack on America
22 years old on the first day of Y2K
20 years old when Princess Diana was killed in a car crash
18 years old at the time of Oklahoma City bombing
17 years old when O. J. Simpson was charged with murder
15 years old at the time of the 93 bombing of the World Trade Center
13 years old when Operation Desert Storm began
12 years old during the fall of the Berlin Wall
8 years old when the space shuttle Challenger exploded
6 years old when Apple introduced the Macintosh
6 years old during Sally Ride's travel in space
4 years old when Pres. Reagan was shot by John Hinckley, Jr.
2 years old at the time the Iran hostage crisis began

HAPPY 29th to ME! Cheers to all my friends and family. I love you!

And The Oscar...

better not go to Brokeback Mountian. That is all I have to say for now.

weather

The weather is such a tease. It's been in the 80's for two days and now it's going to be chilly-willy. My disapointment is great. I'm ready for spring and sandals.

POWER BALL!!

I didn't win the power ball....but boy, do I wish I did. Although, it'd be too much money. If any of you ever win, all I want is to be out of debt, and it's not really all that much...maybe like 60 thou...(not that much, ha).
Anyway, things are getting easier with the money, I"m finally getting a bit smarter at it. I know where I spend my money now, and I know what I need to change. Money is such a weird thing. I guess I don't really think of it in dollars and cents, I just think of what I want, and what I need, and what bills do I need to pay.
I thought it was funny that Oprah has totally copied off of me and started this finance thing on her show. I probably deserve some royalties for the idea...
In other news, I've been sick with some kind of creeping crud (that's what the dr. called it), but I'm getting better. I have to work on President's Day, but no kiddos. I have noticed that life is no longer an emotional roller coaster. I don't get too excited or too depressed about anything. And for the time being, I think that is mighty fine. Once the sun comes out and it's time for sandals, I might switch that up again.
Cheers and have a good week!

I'm all for global warming...

Just wanted to share a realization I made today...I'm an adult.

Thanks to my cousin and mom for the Valentine's. They really made me feel special, especially this Valentine's Day.

12 more days left in February, 32 more days until my birthday. Good Lord, where has this year gone already.

hugs & kisses (and thoughts of either a snow day or warmer weather)

Vday

The Valentine Poem ala Team 215 (my class)

Roses Are Red
Violets are Blue
Gimme a dollar,
OR I'LL SLAP YOU!

An add that sums up how I feel about this valentine's:

For Sale Cheap!!

one tiny bow and arrow w/quiver

said to inspire feelings of love and devotion.

See if YOU can make it work.

Owner seeking more rewarding employment

with long term benefits.

Call Cupid at 1-800-NO-LOVE

Valentine's Day - Who needs it!?!

Vday

The Valentine Poem ala Team 215 (my class)

Roses Are Red
Violets are Blue
Gimme a dollar,
OR I'LL SLAP YOU!

An add that sums up how I feel about this valentine's:

For Sale Cheap!!

one tiny bow and arrow w/quiver

said to inspire feelings of love and devotion.

See if YOU can make it work.

Owner seeking more rewarding employment

with long term benefits.

Call Cupid at 1-800-NO-LOVE

Valentine's Day - Who needs it!?!

Moving on....

So, I'm moving on....on to what, I'm not sure. I know that I'm looking at houses to buy this summer. I'm pretty geeked about that. I can't wait to have pets. I can't wait. I don't know that I can afford myself....but it'll be nice to own my own place.

So, I can't afford myself. I do not know how one goes out to look for a future husband, or just to hang out with friends, or to relax from the very stressful week and does not go BROKE! How are we (meaning, single girls) supposed to afford these things? Men don't take you out anymore...there isn't any dating.....and if there is, it's dutch. I'm just not getting it. It's a lose lose situation. I can stay at home and save money, but I won't be meeting anyone. I can go out and spend lots of money, but then I won't have any money. LOSE LOSE!! I'm telling ya....the dating world sucks. Why can't my friends just hook me up? Or why can't he just appear outta no where, just right there for me? Silly questions.

Well...cheers to me not becoming a spinster, however if I ever do--please love me anyway.

It's been a minute

Well...it looks as if it's been a while since I sat down to my computer. I really don't do it that much since there is a marathon of CSI's on at any moment that I am home. I have totally become a CSI/NCIS/Law&Order/Numbers/all other shows that fall into this catagory junkee!! I love them all and can watch them for hours. I'm not exaggerating, I have actually done this. My favorite is CSI-Las Vegas. Something about that Grissom.
Anyway....I've been doing a lot of things for myself so far this year. I'm getting my finances in order. In fact I talk to a financial planner tomorrow. Hopefully they will give me ideas on budgets and how to save money. I've also been doing more activity. I take yoga classes on Wednesday. I also do pilates at home as well as walk a mile in the morning. It's been a good stress reliever. I haven't had stress as much as I have had more bouts of depression. It happens whenever life changes.
I'm growing up (finally) and life is changing for the better.
Work is fantastic. I can't believe I have a quarter and a 1/2 left. Then summer. This school year has really flown by. January even...everything is just going fast.
Anyway...thanks for everything. Even if I don't talk with you on a daily/weekly/monthly basis, I think of you. much love!

New Year's reSolution

Have you ever noticed that the word resolution is actually, re-solution. No wonder people make the same resolutions every year. I've been thinking of mine, and I just don't know if I have one. There are a lot of things I will accomplish, but not a resolution. As I accomplish my 'things', I'll let you know. I don't want to jump the gun and then change my things. Okay--I just noticed that I was speaking in Bonnie language and not everyone can understand that, so on to a new subject.

I have to go back to work tomorrow. I am not too excited. I really enjoy the laid back life of doing what ever, whenever. I'm sure it'd get boring after a while. It does seem though, that this year I enjoyed it more than in the past.

I did not get a dog. I know I wanted one, but my two go-to guys said no. For two different reasons, but both had a good explaination. I still believe that I'm ready for that next step. So, if not a dog, then it'll be something else. We'll just have to see what that will be.

Happy 2006. I hope it is one of the best yet! It started off very well.

how much sleep does one actually need...?

You guessed it...I've pretty much spent a majority of my break sleeping. Not a terribly bad thing...probably not a good thing either.

Anybody excited about the New Year? I'm not too terribly excited. Anybody have great plans to celebrate?

btw....I didn't get a dog. I really wanted one, but I didn't get one. My house will stay pet free for a little longer.

Happy New Year! Cheers to 2006.

Happy Holidays!

Well, it's been a month since I last posted. Sorry to my friends and family. I've been busy with work. As the holidays come closer, the kids get crazier. Plus with shopping and napping and all, I just haven't had time after getting home at 6pm.

I had the best Thanksgiving ever. I saw Maure and Brad, they stayed at my house. Jackie came up on her way home and so I got to see her as well. We stayed up and had girl chats (except for Brad of course). It was just such a good time. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends in my life.

My students really were great for a while. Then, they just got a little crazy. Disrespecting, talking back, throwing tantrums--sounds like a 3-5 year old to me, too bad these are 8th graders.
So anyway, my strategy is to have 'boot camp' when we return to school. I will from now on be known as Drill Sargent Steen. :D I cannot wait.

Other than that, while I went through a rough patch, I'm still seeing the boy. There's just no one like him. The good thing is that recently we've had the healthiest relationship we've ever had. I still don't think it'll really turn into happily ever after. But for right now, until someone else turns my head....I'm living happy for this moment.

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I miss everyone and I hope your holidays are fantastic.

If you would like to tailgate for the Chiefs game on the 1st of Jan. Give me a call.