It can't almost be Monday already

Any chance I can get another weekend? I visited Tasha's blog and Tee's blog this evening, and they both are wanting the same thing...more weekend time! Where does the down time go? One blink and it's gone. I worked with Kenny on Saturday and today has been a complete race against the clock. And it's 10:43pm and my lesson plans are due in the morning, and I'm working on them NOW. Or I'm supposed to be, and here I am reading blogs and relaxing....there's the key word, RELAXING. That's why I want another weekend, to do just that. I know everyone complains about not having enough time for things, every day you hear people say that. And when we go back to work Monday morning, we'll greet co-workers with the same banter..."Good morning! How was your weekend?"...."Good, how was your's?" Ugh. Let's be honest. Our weekends were WAY TOO SHORT and I DIDN'T GET EVERYTHING DONE THAT I NEEDED TO DO BEFORE MONDAY!!! But, as Kenny always tells me, what's the worst thing that can happen if you don't get stuff done? Maybe he's right.........if the clothes aren't washed, what will happen? If my work isn't done, what will happen? If I don't have gas in my car, what will happen? Shit. That's what will happen!! And then after the shit happens, I'll do the laundry, and my work (maybe), and stop and get gas on my way to work and just not be early. And as it always does, life goes on, the week starts, and we'll get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our busy lives. Now I really have to finish (start?) my lesson plans. I hope everyone has a good week and starts out Monday morning with a smile, and a huge cup of coffee!

Friday's Feast

Friday's Feast #112

I found a new (to me) meme to participate in from Tee.

Sounds yummy!! (haha-I know I'm corny)

The original post is found here.

Appetizer: Measured in minutes or hours, how much exercise have you had in the last week?

A little each day playing with kids at recess, but REAL working out, I haven't in a few weeks. Bad bad me.

Soup: If you had to change your blog title to something else, what would it be?

Go-Go-Gadget's Girlfriend

Salad: Name one television show you watched when you were 9-12 years old.

Family Ties

Main Course: If someone gave you $50 to spend with the one condition that it had to be educational, what would you purchase?

More stuff for my classroom...what else?

Dessert: Do you tend to prefer dark colors, neutral shades, or lighter/pastel hues?

Neutral shades and BLACK....makes it real easy to match outfits for work!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things I Have Made! 1. Quilt (s) for various loved ones 2. Scrapbooks, mostly for myself & one for my brother's high school graduation 3. Mosaic tiled stepping stones...those were fun! 4. Tons of pillows and pillow covers 5. Crocheted scarves & blankets 6. Stuffed animals (frogs & fish & an attempted bear) 7. Picture collages 8. Curtains, all different kinds, all different styles 9. Shelves 10. Noah's Arc (made from various things including small plastic animals, paint, foam, & paper mache....don't ask, I used to work at a craft store in college and it just happened) 11. PJ's for me! 12. Decoupaged tray (in a hunting motif) for Kenny's keys, wallet, ect, so he can keep track of his things like that....it hasn't really worked, but it's cute! 13. Various flower arrangements Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Muunday, Muuunday, Ahhh, Ahhhhhhhhh

Back to the grind once again! I wasn't thrilled to be waking up BEFORE the crack of dawn, but I was grateful for the hour and a half of complete quietness in the school, and in my classroom, before the kids arrived. There is always such an intense awareness of how much I have to prepare and get done before school, or after school if I'm still coherent, but once my students are there, it's like I'm in another world. A world in which the desks are short, the chairs are teeny, the questions are constant, and the day takes off much like a rollercoaster, only this ride lasts about 8 hours, with no breaks, no down time, and very restricted adult conversation. It's complete with screaming, like the rollercoaster, excitement, and about 20 little sponges that soak up every morsel of smartness that I bring to that classroom.

Teaching multi-age is amazing. I did it for 4 short months when I student taught back in '02. But as a student teacher, you don't absorb what the whole job entails. Student teaching is just a tip off the iceberg, really. But now that I'm teaching my own multi-age class, zillions of things are flooding my mind...mostly things that my mentor taught me 4 years ago about multi-age. The kids are really learning from each other, and by that, I mean, the first graders are looking at the second graders thinking, "I want to do that too." The big kids are looking at the adorable little kids and want to help them, and I've noticed that this helps the big kids' mental math strategies because they are constantly explaining things out loud to the little kids. I'm having those "Ah Hah!" moments EVERY DAY. Can you handle that?

I know I've said it before, but last year was ruthless. Almost wanted to give up. But this year is SO making up for all of that. This is the best thing I have done as a teacher. I am growing and learning as much, if not MORE, than my kids. And they are just precious. I wish I could share their pictures with you, internet!

This is me, on my way to the first day of school on Sept. 5th. Keep in mind that it's VERY early and I haven't had that coffee yet. Can you see the big crate of "goodies" in the backseat?

S-Words

I got tagged (well, sort of) by Lindsay over at My Splatter Painted Life. She didn't really tag anyone, just said whoever wanted to do this should. She gave me five words and I am to type the first thing that pops in my head for each. No cheating, which means no thinking about the words! Here goes:



1.Super: Size....things we should NOT be eating!

2.Sleep: In! I love sleeping in way too much!

3.Screen: Saver....mine is a picture of the sky that I took this summer.

4.Smile: Pretty....I guess I just hear people say smile pretty for the camera.

5.Soap: Opera....no idea why I'm thinking of this....maybe I miss Days of Our Lives?

I'm not tagging anyone either, just do it if you want to!!! It's actually kinda fun. Happy Sunday. Enjoy the day. In Michigan, it's beautiful and sunny, and a little warm. And it smells like fall's coming. Love it.

Peaceful

I know I keep writing about my feet, so I'll just give a brief update: My feet are in heaven right now. They had a bubble bath and spa last night, complete with a pedicure and lots of lotion, and then put up on tons of pillows for rest. They are lovin me right now, and they sit happily atop my favorite fip flops. To them, it's the epitomy of heaven. Can't say I blame 'em!

Today is one of those Saturdays that I just love. I don't have any pressing work for my masters classes due, only a little bit of lesson planning due on Monday, and Kenny is busy doing a charity auction this evening, so he's getting ready right now. I have the day to myself. I ran a couple of errands, grabbed lunch, sewed buttons on the sleeve of Kenny's sports coat, and after he leaves, I'll clean & vacuum, laundry, dishes, maybe a shower, and relax. Just the kind of Saturday I love. No where to be at a certain time, and nothing I absolutely HAVE to have done for Monday (save lesson plans). And to top it all off, the weather isn't hot like they said it would be. It was supposed to be like 80 degrees today. I don't want anymore of that weather. I'm all about the cool, beautiful, fresh fall weather we are easing into. It's so nice to not be rushing around, trying to sift through traffic and worrying about being late to something. What a peaceful day.

Ahhh

THANK the big man upstairs that it's Friday. What a long week this has been!! I know I'm not the only one feeling it either.

Every year at back-to-school time, I've bought new fall clothes like every other person on the face of the earth. Not this year, however. I decided to wait a few weeks till the weather cooled down enough to actually enjoy looking for warmer clothes. The last couple of weeks in Michigan have been very tolerable, unlike the normal humid, sticky, hot, nasty days that August and September, and even sometimes October can bring. Maybe I'm jinxing the situation, but nonetheless, it's been very comfortable around here.

Anyway, I haven't bought any new clothes, or shoes, and I've been wearing dressy capris, pants, and skirts for the last 2 weeks. MY FEET ARE KILLING ME. They are so tired every day because I'm wearing dressy healed sandals (we aren't allowed to dress casually, it has to be more formal than that) and flat sandals when I've had enough of the others. I put on dress shoes this morning and then thought HELL NO this won't work. My hooves are too tired. I kid you not...I don't sit down all day. I'm a tired kiddo at the end of the day, and not being a feather light gal, the feet feel most of the stress. I'm getting to my point, I promise. It is that I finally got the breaking point and paid $45 (per pair) for some GOOD shoes. Good doesn't accurately describe them. HEAVENLY does a good job...you get my point. I cringed at the price, but is there really a price on 8+ hours of comfort? And the best part is, they are actually attractive!

Generally speaking, comfy shoes are hideous. Not these! They look great with dress pants. I have them in black and brown for those of you wondering. I know the rule, that's why you always have to buy two pairs.

I can't believe that I just spent 15 minutes writing about my feet and new shoes. I hope you are still awake at this point. I know I won't be for much longer. Good night!

Better Day

With yesterday's post in mind, I'm feeling better. The drama will NEVER go away. Certain people will never change, and until I make a move somewhere else, I will have to see them on a day to day basis. That's the part that drives me nuts. It's a constant reminder. Anyway, like I was saying, I'm feeling a little better about the whole thing.

Now for something...hilarious. Miss N and I are carpooling every day to school together. It's great...coffee in the morning, and a bitch session on the way home. Just what it should be! We were walking out of the school this afternoon and many times there will be the same homeless man on the corner. He was there today. He's there most days, and I can't help but think that if he used a portion of the time spent collecting money from cars driving by, he could get himself into a better situation. But who am I to judge, right? I don't know his situation. Today was a little different though. He wasn't in his wheelchair. In fact, as I looked closer, he was pushing his wheelchair from behind, completely WALKING with no problem. His wheelchair had a big bucket in it (to collect the money) and a blanket. He wheeled his chair to the corner, put the brake on it, picked up the bucket and the blanket, sat down in the chair and situated the blanket over his legs. He held the bucket out to the side, waiting for anyone to throw some money his way. I couldn't believe what I had witnessed. Good thing Miss N was with me to witness it, cause no one would have believed me! This man PRETENDED to be in a wheelchair to get people's money. I started out this post by saying this was hilarious, but it really isn't. It's sad. It was funny for a minute, because it was something that you would see on TV, that's what made me laugh, but the reality of it is the opposite of funny.

Thirteen Things That I Dream About Doing! 1. Going to Hawaii 2. Marrying Kenny! 3. Being a Momma 4. Buying our first house 5. Getting a black lab (we already have the name picked out) 6. Going back to summer vacation 7. Becoming an auntie (that's for you, Mark!) 8. Having another Girls' Day Out (every weekend!) 9. Buying another new car, a bigger one! 10. Becoming a child psychologist 11. Working with Kenny full time later on in life 12. Traveling in Ireland 13. Having both our families over for the holidays together (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Drama

WARNING: CONTENT CONTAINS SWEAR WORDS AND BITCHING!

First things first. School started last week, and my class is still the bomb. I'm really lovin this group of kids and where I am in my teaching career. Year 5 has been nothing but good to me thus far.

Second-Classes for my masters degree have started up again. I would really like to know who the jackass is that decided it was a good idea to start/have things due AT THE SAME TIME THAT TEACHERS ARE ADJUSTING TO A NEW SCHOOL YEAR!! (letters are in all caps because I'm PISSED) Ugh is all I can say now. Ugh.

Third-The Drama. The drama at my work between a few colleagues is complete bullshit. I thought I was done with high school about 10 years ago...guess I was wrong. Some of us got a little bit older over the summertime, and some of THEM decreased in age...like to about 14. I cannot go into details here, but let me just say that the second I start to feel like I've made headway with my students and their immature behavior (yes, it happens), the adults I work with make the kids look good. I swear, sometimes I think the students should be teaching the adults how to act and get along.

I promise my next post with be a fun one. I'll be over this by tomorrow. I really will. But right now, I feel like my blood is boiling.

Sept. 11th

It's hard to believe it's been 5 years, but it really has. Last night Kenny and I were at the grocery store, and I saw the date on the receipt as Kenny signed his name, and I thought, 'Oh my gosh, tomorrow is September 11th.'

5 year ago, on Septemeber 10th, we didn't know what was about to happen to our country. We didn't even have a clue. I'm sure most people remember what they were doing at the moment they found out about the twin towers. I do.

My roommate Rebekah and I were in an 8 o'clock class. It was almost over. A classmate of our's quietly pulled her cell phone out of her purse and ran into the hallway to answer her phone. About 1 minute later, and looking panicky, she tiptoed back into class, got her things and left. We thought nothing of it.

We left class, walked back to the car, and decided what to do next. We both had the whole rest of the day free. We decided to go shopping. I was driving. I drove us to the big mall, and I even remember exactly where we went. First, to The San Franscico Music Box Company so I could put this expensive gift on layaway for my mom (I was a poor college kid) and then we went to Victoria Secrets, and then Gap. When we left the mall, on our way to Target, that's when we heard about the first tower on the radio. They weren't saying it was terrorists yet, and we listened, and said something about how horrible it was, and then they were saying it was terrorists, and we commented on how the U.S. wouldn't let terrorists get away with it. We still didn't understand the magnitude of what was happening. We went into Target, and every single person in the store was standing in front of the TV's, eyes glued to the flaming second tower, some people crying, some just staring, and Rebekah and I just froze. We stood there for a long time, watching the smoke that we all recognize. It was unbelieveable. We went home and sat with our other 2 roommates for the rest of the day, trying to comprehend what was going on.

When I was little, my mom told me that she remembered what she was doing when she heard Kennedy was shot. This is kind of like that for me, I remember every detail of that day, as most Americans do.

I still pray for the victims and their families, and for our country, every day. And I really mean that. And I'll say my prayer today too, just like any other day. It just doesn't seem like it's been 5 years. Watching the familiar video clips on T.V. makes it seem like it just happened.

First Day of School!

Hurray!!!!!!!!! The first day is over with!! But I have to say that today was the BEST first day I've ever EVER had!! This is my fifth year of teaching, and all years except for last year (the worst in history!) were okay. Today was not just okay, today was DA BOMB. I guess having slightly advanced multi-age first and second graders did the trick, cause I didn't even have to whip out the behavior chart.....NOT EVEN ONCE! Can you imagine? I know it's only the first day, but believe me when I say that the first day really does set the tone for the year. I think back to a year ago, and I just want to cry because on that day I knew it would be the roughest year ever, and I wasn't thinking that in a pesimistic way, more of a realistic way. I guess you just know. The ONLY complaint that I have is that my kids are pretty chatty, but it is the first day of school, and they haven't seen their friends in a while, so that plays a big part in the chattiness. My kids this year are seriously the cutest I have ever seen. I haven't had first graders at this school yet, only second graders, and now that I have both, I see how much smaller and cuter the little ones are. Adorable! Especially with their braids and beads and barrettes all done for the first day...and their clothes are crisp and clean and pressed! If they could just stay that way all year! I also wish I could post pictures of them here, but I can't, and I won't, too many perverts out there! It's crazy how much a teacher talks the first day. EVERY SINGLE TEACHER said after school how much their throat hurt. It's true. You do more talking the first day than any other day because there are explanations for EVERYTHING. Literally EVERYTHING. From how to walk in the hallway, to sitting on the carpet, to handling books...

"Miss L. is very picky about cleanliness and neatness, so don't leave things messy or I'll getcha!"

Aside from all of the wonderfulness of my new group of cuties, I'm exhausted, I have no voice left, and my feet are leading me straight to the tub. So for the next hour, that's where you'll find me with my People magazine and a glass of wine. And then when I'm done with that, maybe I can convince Mr. K to rub my hooves with hoof cream.

Labor Day Weekend

This holiday weekend went in many directions. We were going to go up north, then the weather po-pooed that idea. Then we were going to the lake, and the weather spoiled that too. So Friday night we went to the Tigers game and Saturday to The Henry Ford Museum. We've been there before, but it's always fun to go back and see things again, not to mention the new displays. I ended up taking way too many pictures, which can be seen here, but I'm afraid they aren't too exciting. I just kept snapping anyway! It was pretty funny to see things that I had when I was younger, and now they are in a museum....funny and scary all at the same time. For example, the Ford Escort.

We had one identical to this, and it doesn't feel like it was all that long ago! And then the Snoopy phone...my uncle still uses his Snoopy phone to this day!

My mom brought this computer home when it first came out, and I also used this model in middle school in the early 90's.

The coolest thing we saw was the bus that Rosa Parks made history on. THAT was cool.

We went to the lake today because it ended up being a beautiful day. Kenny wanted me to just enjoy my last day of summer vacation relaxing and enjoying the country, and I did! I hope everyone else had a good holiday weekend too!

SUNday

Wow. Today was supposed to be a raining, dreary day, and it turned out to be wonderful! Surprise surprise! I designated today to be the cleaning day around here. Kenny promptly left to run errands and work. Perfect timing? One might say that. I actually do much better with cleaning, throwing away, and organizing when he's NOT here, believe it or not. So that's just what I did. Mentally, I need things to be clean, put away, and organized to start the new school year with kids on Tuesday. If it's not, I get anxiety about it. Wierd? Yes. Normal for me? Yes. I'm always like this. So my clothes are clean and put away, and the place is clean, and when Kenny comes home I'll have to follow him around and pick up his messes so it can just stay clean until at least Tuesday. That will make me feel good. And, yes, I already have my outfit picked out for the first day. I know it's ridiculus, as I'm only a few years shy of 30 and what I wear on the first day of school shouldn't matter....but it so does! Enough rambling. Enjoy the sun if you have it, and if you don't, enjoy something today, whether it's cleaning, time with a loved one, time alone, a vacation, or whatever it is. Just ENJOY.

All Grown Up (or at least a little bit)

25 SIGNS

YOU HAVE GROWN UP

(A friend emailed this to me today.....every single one of them rings true for me. I don't think it's all that bad though.)

1. Your houseplants are alive, and you can't smoke any of them.
2. Sleeping in a twin bed is out of the question.
3. You keep more food than beer in the fridge.
4. 6:00 a.m. is when you get up, not when you go to bed.
5. You hear your favorite song in an elevator.
6. You watch the Weather Channel.
7. Your friends marry and divorce instead of "hook up" and "break up."
8. You go from 130 days of vacation time to 14.
9. Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as "dressed up."
10. You're the one calling the police because those *$&@# kids next door won't turn down the stereo.
11. Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.
12. You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.
13. Your car insurance goes down and your car payments go up.
14. You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonald's leftovers.
15. Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.
16. You take naps.
17. Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of one.
18. Eating a basket of chicken wings at 3 AM would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach.
19. You go to the drug store for ibuprofen and antacid, not condoms and pregnancy tests.
20. A $4.00 bottle of wine is no longer "pretty good shit."
21. You actually eat breakfast food at breakfast time.
22. "I just can't drink the way I used to" replaces "I'm never going to drink that much again."
23. 90% of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work.
24. You drink at home to save money before going to a bar.
25. When you find out your friend is pregnant you congratulate them instead of asking "Oh shit what the hell happened?"

Bonus:
26: You read this entire list looking desperately for one sign that doesn't apply to you and can't find one to save your sorry old ass. Then you forward it to a bunch of old friends 'cause you know they'll enjoy it & do the same

Happy 60th Anniversary!

My grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary a week ago. Can you imagine? 60 years? How wonderful. I have been blessed to have 2 sets of grandparents that met (and exceeded) that rich landmark. I don't think too many people can say that!

My grandparents, C & B, have had a love-filled marriage, are still inseparable, and still hold hands!

Congratulations Grandma & Grandpa! I love you!

To see the rest of the party pictures, go here.