The first snow day

It's the first snow day of the year! Yay! I haven't really marked it with any tradition yet. I wanted to bake cookies, but I haven't started that process yet...everything is going really slow today. We're actually supposed to get snow today (we had ice yesterday) but now they are saying we are not getting as much snow as they say we are going to...so oh well. I was hoping for another day off.

I never thought I would be the owner of a dog that needed a sweater. Well guess what? This wussy, Maggie, needs a sweater. I can't afford to keep my house nice and toasty, so she just sits there and shakes. I know she's just faking it, but good lord. SO I'm going to go buy her a sweater and see how that works...maybe she'll be warmer then. Anything for the dog.

So I spent last night putting plastic up on my windows. I actually all but two done. I'm not really sure that it helped a whole lot, there is still a draft. But I think it helped a little. I probably should put heavy material up over them as well to help keep the draft up, but a girl can only afford so much. I still have a few things to do to help keep my house a little warmer and we'll see if those work at all. I can't believe I live in such a place....but here I am, with the draft, the spidercrickets, mice and who knows what else.

For those of you that read and know MJ, today is her bday - so happy birthday to her!

Thanksgiving!!

Hooray for Thanksgiving and the 3 days I get offa work! I'm so excited to have the time to collect myself, veg, do whatever I want, and not worry about getting up in the morning.

So tonight I am getting prepared for the dinner. I have to go and buy some things still, so I'll do that. Then I might make a dessert or two.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I hope yours is as family filled and enjoyable as mine will be. Much love!

It's just me...

This posting is dedicated to living alone. Cheers to you (don't know if any are out there) that live alone, all by yourself.....that means no other human being is in the house right now....or at least one that claims residency 3 out of 7 days of the week.

So lately, I've been a real baby about having to do things myself. I found a mouse in my house, myself. I had to take care of my dead hamster, myself. I have to wash the dishes, myself. I have to clean the house and do the laundry, myself. I have to deal with the spidercrickets, myself.
I'm just tired of it. I at least wish I had someone else to blame the unwashed dishes on...but no, only myself. My clothes are put up, it's my fault. Need to vacuum...just me.
Actually the latter doesn't bother me as much as having to deal with the mouse and bugs and dead hamster by myself do. I guess it makes me stronger...but what woman wants to actually be that strong. I can do everything on my own, even when I think I can't. What man is gonna want a woman like that?


Tried to give you some time to ponder, but not too much. I still think that sometime at some point ( I might be 80 and in the home) I will find someone to bury my hamsters and fight the spidercrickets with me. But Jesus, I hope he comes sooner than later (and preferably not when I"m 80, even though I said that)...amen.

Papa Murphy's

I used to eat papa murphy's with my room mates every sunday or so. For some reason I left that tradition back in the northland. But I think it would be a good one to bring back. I got this flyer in the mail and it looks goood!

I love Saturday mornings! I'm getting ready to clean the house, do some laundry, maybe mow the leaves (which I still haven't done). It's supposed to be beautiful here today until after thanksgiving! Like in the 70's! Rock! Although, surprise me with two days of snowdays (monday and tuesday) and I'll be elated.

I have a friend on youtube now. You can watch him do his magic. I think it's rather funny and entertaining -that's why I'm sharing it. If you want to know who it is (because you might not know) email me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVC-MTHzRjM#GU5U2spHI_4

Well, I"m onto do things. Getting rid of the hamsters/gerbil will be one of the things I do - Everyone say 'goodbye rodents!'

Oh, go see STRANGER THAN FICTION! It's a fantastic, life changing movie. LOVE IT

You might be offended if....

you read this blog.

Two things...

1. Why would anyone believe that abortion is the reason for the increase in immigrants that live in America??? Did they forget the 'American Dream' and how everyone wants to live it. The land of the free and brave, and easy work which means money. If any of you have ever been to Mexico, you understand why these people are over here, and it's not because abortion is legal. That deserves a, "damn Republicans..."

2. I'm maturing. One might not notice it with my recent decisions, but I really am. AND I'm more and more drawn to nights in than nights out, which to me, is a sign of moving on to the next stage of life. Don't get me wrong...I kinda dislike a lot of things in my life now: being single, choices I make, no motivation...etc...etc..BUT I'm getting there...slow, but I'm moving in the next direction...which is very important. And if you don't understand a word of this jiberish...well...I don't either..so I can't help ya.

Here's a toast to the damn republicans for giving me something to write about. clinky, clinky

A fanciful feast

I have a full fanciful feast of boredom. It's a buffet full of gorgeous entrees, all made out of boredom.

I've really got to learn how to entertain myself better. A hobby perhaps....

Good news: I might have another after-school program gig. Good, easy money. I'll probably hear more about it in the next few weeks. Sounds like another M-Th thing. I'll be making more money and more time will be taken up. And maybe, just maybe, it'll be a little crazy and I'll have a story every now and then.

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving break, mostly for the break...but I also will see my brother for a minute. I'm looking forward to the family getting together and me forcing them to play board games or card games.

RAchael Ray is going to be on Iron Chef Sunday at 8pm (i think). It'll be a good show. I love Rach, and since she makes a ton of 30 minutes meals, this competition should be a cinch.

Yup, bored.

ahhh...a monday off

So, I took today off. I just felt yesterday like my life was spinning out of control and I needed to catch it. So I did. I accomplished many things today that have made me feel better and will make the rest of the week/month simplier. I think that taking a day off once a month is going to be necessary for me this year. I just dislike what I'm doing so much, that I need 4 day weeks...all the time.

On Wednesday, I go talk to an administrator about how things are going in my classroom, he came and observed it the other day. So...my conversation will probably reveal how I"m feeling this year and what I plan on doing about it, and then he'll go and tell everyone else....so we'll see if anything changes. I'd really like them to change it by semester so that when I come back from winter vacation, I'll feel like I can do the rest of the year.

The hardest is keeping a good attitude. But my coworkers deserve that...they work incredibly hard as well and we all deserve to have good days everyday.

Anyway...I think I've decided to mature, although I'm still very worried about not meeting anyone. I'm just as worried about the holidays with everyone else having a significant other. I'm trying not to let it bother me, but it does....so I just deal.

HOpe everyone had a fabulous monday...mine was very productive.

Saturday Mornings

I love Saturday Mornings. I am so productive. I get a lot of things completed, and feel good about what I do. (wish everyday were saturday morning)

I'm in a quandry about whether to mature, or not mature. I want to, really. But at the same time, I don't want to become a spinster or single forever person. So, I'm in a quandry. I don't know that one can mature and still party, or one can mature and still go out and spend 50 bucks in a night. I don't know that one single person can mature and find another mature single person....
One might ask what my definition of mature would be....and I think it's really about the decisions you make. DO you throw caution to wind, or do you make calculated decisions? IF you throw caution to the wind, you might have a really fun adventure and have a great story to tell one day. IF you make calculated decisions, you know and understand the affect of your decision on everyone, including yourself. Mature or not mature...that is today's question.

Saturday Mornings

I love Saturday Mornings. I am so productive. I get a lot of things completed, and feel good about what I do. (wish everyday were saturday morning)

I'm in a quandry about whether to mature, or not mature. I want to, really. But at the same time, I don't want to become a spinster or single forever person. So, I'm in a quandry. I don't know that one can mature and still party, or one can mature and still go out and spend 50 bucks in a night. I don't know that one single person can mature and find another mature single person....
One might ask what my definition of mature would be....and I think it's really about the decisions you make. DO you throw caution to wind, or do you make calculated decisions? IF you throw caution to the wind, you might have a really fun adventure and have a great story to tell one day. IF you make calculated decisions, you know and understand the affect of your decision on everyone, including yourself. Mature or not mature...that is today's question.

being bored

Thank you to that one person that actually reads this....it pushes me to write in it and entertain you so you are not as bored as me.

I'm bored. Kinda bored with life. Ready for something new to come my way.

Anyway, not much new. I finally got closure with a tough situation that I had been dealing with for some 3 odd years. It's a wonderful feeling, yet a weird one. Might actually add to my bored-ness.

I finished my upstairs bedroom, so I am now equipped with a guestroom for anyone that would like to come and stay. I feel that I am an excellent hostess, and can provide you with a good time.
Would love to see anyone and everyone.

I'm going to try to write on here more often...share some of my worldly views. So check in!

Dating is....

There are so many different sections to dating. Usually you start with the honeymoon where you get to know each other and talk all night etc. Then there's the awkward time, where you like each other but not sure that it's the one, can't always get along, can't figure out how to communicate.....ugh...it's the worse and you go through all that just to get to the part where you are comfortable. Why can't we just skip the awkward part...that little middle part, just skip right over it. Go from honeymoon to comfortable.....that would be fantastic.

Dating is like a three course meal that has a fantastic salad and dessert, but a crappy main dish.

Thanks, Mr. President...

Well, I got on here to update my blog more recently than I did last time...and while I have a thousand witty things to say, none seem to be worth writing. I've had some great conversations lately about No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Bush's drive to have all students reading on level by next year or something. In fact, in it's purest form NCLB is fantastic for special education...but all the crap that has come with it like standardized testing and Annual Yearly Progress (AYP), Grade Level Expectations (GLE), and State standards make it such a nightmare for the teacher and the student.

I predict that in 12 years the students that will graduate from high school will be well equipped to take tests....anything else, I'm not so sure! They sure will be able to take a piece of text and get the answers to questions that come after it (does this actually happen in real life?? When was the last time you read a passage and answered questions about it, on the other hand, when was the last time you read something because you wanted too? These kids can't do that). They sure will be able to eliminate at least two out of four choices. They will be able to use words like analyze, predict, assess, estimate, summarize, trace, infer, evaluate, formulate, describe, support, explain, compare, contrast, predict---god, I could go on forever. And while most of those kids will have higher level thinking skills......they won't be able to relate to real life....you know, the one you get thrown into after college.

And I have to ask, what about the kids in the 'hood'? While they are having to predict and infer, they'll also be collecting guns..selling drugs..who knows. What I do know is that they have to know how to protect themselves, and describing what a poem is about using at least two examples from the text....really isn't going to help them make it through. And while I totally believe in educating and intellegence--these kids are kids to begin with and someone has to teach them how to play, and teach them to get along with others, and teach them how to be kids, teach them to imagine--because that's part of growing up too. I can't summarize until I know how to read and comprehend. I can't read and comprehend until I know the sounds. I can't know the sounds until I know the alphabet.

What you didn't know is that we are teaching our kindergartners (who go to school full days now) these words (the higher level ones listed above)....we're already starting them in kindergarten... were giving kindergartners the ability to test. They've barely lived 5 years....and we are already building them for NCLB success. Beautiful.

By the way, we're doing district wide tests this week. I'm ready for this week to be over...Friday afternoon will be very very welcome.

I feel the need

to update my blog.

Well, it's been like forever...not quite a month...since I updated the blog. Actually not too much has happened. I'm still working out at 24-hour about 3 to 4 days a week. I would actually lose weight if I changed my beer intake, but that's a whole 'nother subject in itself. I am still troubled about my job. I just am meant to do something else. I've thought a lot about what I'm going to do next year if offered the 'curriculum support' class. I think I will head to the alternative school, or if a elementary school opens...or if I have to a whole different district. But let's hope there's a different position for me at Center because I wanted to break my 2 year streak so bad. For those of you who aren't keeping record....the longest I've ever held a job is 2 years. I was really hoping to break that.

I don't think I"ve announced it, but I am a bridesmaid yet again. Actually, a maid of honor. This time for my friend, Natalie. It will be a fun wedding. The actual prep time is shorter as her wedding will be in May. We'll be going to look at dresses soon. While, yes, I am getting tired of always being the bridesmaid...I have recently realized that it will happen 2 more times and that I need to keep a positive perspective. I also think, I want to be up front...not in the regular people seating...it's been a while that I've been to a wedding where I actually sat in the pews and didn't stand up front. I wouldn't know what to wear...

So yes, beer and I have become very close friends again. I don't know what happens but about 2:30, I just feel like, oh...I need a beer. I'm not the only one though...so me and beer are never alone...we're always surrounded by friends and their beer. But crazy empty calories which is why I am not losing weight like I should be. So...beer and I might actually have to enjoy each other less. It would help the poket book as well.

Which by the way, I am actually starting to get control of my finances. It's very exciting...yet...kinda depressing at the same time. I could definately have a lot more money if I didn't spend it all on fast food and happy hour. (damn beer)

Anyway...I'm on a good journey. I'm still very happy and doing the things I want, just really enjoying life to it's fullest.

Cheers until next time!

Bout friggin' time eh?

I figured it was about time to update this. I doubt anyone reads it anymore, but maybe it'll make me feel better after I see what I've done in the last month and a half (if I can remember).

The big things: I joined 24 hour fitness again, school started back and I had to start working again, my lil' bro turned 27, and yeah, I had to start working again...

So in August about 2 weeks before I started back to work, I joined 24-hour. My friends and I thought it was fun to go up and play in the pool. One day I took in a water aerobics class....and it was like drugs. I've been hooked ever since. I go 2 x a week because that is all they offer it. If they offered it everyday, I'd be there...even if my skin came off in big ugly sheets because of the saltwater chlorine. I LOVE IT! These days I'll turn down just about everything so I can keep my standing appointment. So anyway, I"m working out again...I'm ready to go everyday, but I haven't quite gotten there with the schedule yet.
School started back up on the 11 of August, a whole month ago. It was good to see the kids again. I am not teaching self-contained this year....my 'new' job is called curriculum support, plus I teach a science/social studies resource class and an enrichment class. I'm not really enjoying it. I'm sure I'll make it better, but I think I'll try and push for something more my deal like teaching curriculum or just dealing with behaviors. So yeah...I"m teaching that stuff I said earlier and dealling with all the kids with ED/BD (emotional disorder/behavior disorder). So somedays it's kinda like I'm double timing it. That's fine with me though. I like, crave, enjoy, want, need the chaos. The thing that is getting me this year is that I have already had to advocate for kids--to my coworkers/administrators....these are educators that I have to put my foot down to and verbally explain to them why a kid should be where they are. The home ec teacher can't stand one of my kiddos with BD...she can't deal...but that doesn't mean he shouldn't get home ec. Everyone should make a pillow...he deserves to as well. I had to get red in the face (mainly because I couldn't believe this bs)and really give my supervisor a talking to...cuz I wasn't talking with her....to her! Man, I just can't believe some people and their need to please. As an educator, I'm pretty hard core...I mean, I really believe in the least restricted environment and I fight to keep my kids there. Yo, if there's any reg. ed teachers out there...let me just tell you that your job isn't just about the goody goodies....you gotta modify now and accomodate...for ALL students. I mean wake up--especially if you teach in the city--most of these kids can't read any better than the ones that are labeled in my realm.

Most of the time I just wish everyone were are smart as me. Or at least had some common sense to work with.

My lil' bro turned 27, meaning I'll be the big 30 this year. Everyone mark their calendars--March 21 will be a big day as will the weekend after.

And in other news, the dating scene in KC sucks terribly....I don't know why he hasn't come my way yet, but I'm ready for him. I'm feeling good about myself and happy with life...I mean bring it on.

That's all for now, sorry for the educational rant....loves and hugs!

Chicago

Well....I got back on Thursday from Chi-town. It was an interesting experience. I thoroughly enjoyed my time and got to see so much. Basically, everywhere I wanted to go plus some, I went. My favorite: The Field Museum. The King Tut exhibit was there and it was fantastic.
I really learned more about public transportation than I ever feel I needed to know. I am very handy with a map. While, I enjoyed my time...I don't think Chicago is one of my favorite cities.

I still have electricity--this was a concern after my last trip.

Today was my father's birthday and tomorrow is the year anniversary of his stroke. It's really changed my family's lives, I'll be happy when tomorrow is over and we can officially say we made it through a year without another trip to the hospital.

Hope everyone is keeping cool--it's insanely HOT!

so many stories, so little time

Here's the last two weeks in a nutshell...

On July 13, I ventured to San Francisco, CA. I had a lovely time with an old friend and a new friend. Went to Santa Cruz to the boardwalk and laid on the beach, listened to the ocean. It was relaxing and humbling. We went into the city twice, one time while we were there I rode the trolley. It was scary and fun. I really had an enjoyable time.

I'm always ready to come home and so on the 17th, early morning, I flew back. I had a lovely evening with a friend and my dog. However, I woke up to no electricity. There was a KCPL truck out front so I figured they were fixing whatever was broken. But then after a few minutes the truck left. Still no electricity. I went out the door and found a aform note from KCPL saying that the electricity had been shut off because the house was considered vacant. So after calling and getting everything sorted out, I wouldn't have electricity for at least 24 hours. So, I bought a cooler (had to save the beer), packed some stuff up and left for Iowa (they were the first to answer my phone call). I figured if I pretended to be on vacation it would be more fun. So I went to Iowa and golfed for the first time. I loved it! It was such a good time. By the time I got home the next day I still didn't have electricity, nor did I until 9:30 PM, so I was without electricity for a good 36 hours. As you can imagine, there was a mess in the fridge and it took a while to cool down my house.

Were coming up to the 21st, when I decided to go to Witchita and see a friend. She actually lives in Derby, KS so that is really where I went. We played cards and had a good relaxing time. Her and her husband just bought a new home and it's beautiful!


Now I am preparing to go to Chicago. I leave tomorrow at 6:20AM :D It's the last trip before school starts again!

MUST LOVE DOGS

Well, it's a sad but very happy night. Tomorrow morning I leave for San Francisco, but tonight Maggie is at the vet being boarded. Very sad. I did not want to leave her. I felt incredibly guilty, especially knowing that I"m going to have a very good time and she'll be in a kennel(which she hates). I did cry a little and I miss her terribly. No one was here tonight to tear into the door when I got home.

Well, I have to finish getting ready for the trip! Everyone have an excellent weekend and hopefully I'll have some photos for you on Monday!

My dating diary

I haven't decided yet as to whether I will actually publish online or as a book, My Dating Diary. But I've taken some serious advice from a friend and started writing down my dates, what was good; what wasn't. It is probably the only thing that is keeping me from throwing my hands up in the air at the whole thing. Because believe you, me....dating is ridiculous! Just send a fantastic man my way...god knows I can't find him. I'm tired of working at this for just a lot of crap.

So be looking for my book in a few years. I'll let you know when my publishing party will be and you can all come!

Count down:
13 more days till payday
12 days till Chicago
1 day till San Francisco

San Francisco Bound

I go to San Francisco on Thursday. This is very exciting. I am however, having feelings of guilt for having to leave my dog in a kennel. Everyone that could watch her is also going on vacation this week. So, hopefully she won't hate me for making her stay in a kennel.

Anyway, I am very excited and if anyone has any places I absolutely have to go, please let me know. I'll be going to Chicago on the 24th, feel free to send or post those places I need to go as well.

Spider update: No spiders seen, I have been looking for them though. They could have found a really nice hiding space. This would be called the downstairs.

I still haven't warmed up to the house. I like the area, I like my neighbors, but the house....not so much. It's okay, just don't love it.

TGIF

Boy--I am in Friday mode. Even though everyday could be Friday for me....it truly is friday and I am truly in the mode. It's a good day.

17 days till payday--yes I'm counting. I hate getting paid 1 a month. It really sucks.

Anyway..I'm off to San Fran next Thursday! I'm pretty excited about it, but I can't figure out what to do with Maggie, everyone else that I would trust with her is going on vacation as well. It's about $25 a night to board her. ugh. decisions.

Anyway...I hope everyone has something fun planned for this evening. I am off to first fridays to drink free wine and browse some art. Cheers!